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With Matt Forte out at running back with an MCL sprain, the Chicago Bears will give Jeremy Langford the nod. When a lot of starting running backs go down, teams typically use a running back by committee to replace him, but that isn’t expected to be the case with Langford.
According to ESPN Bears reporter Jeff Dickerson “it would be a surprise” if Langford did not get at least 20 carries against the San Diego Chargers in Week 9.
The team obviously has a lot of confidence in Langford and expects him to take over where Forte left off. Forte was averaging 24.5 touches in the six games he completed thus far this season.
It would be insane to expect Langford to put up Forte like points in fantasy football, but I do think he is a viable RB2 option against the Chargers. It doesn’t sound like the Bears’ other running backs, Antone Smith and Ka’Deem Carey, will receive much playing time at all.
As for Forte, he could return to action in Week 1, which will be great news for his fantasy owners. He has 548 yards and two touchdowns on 136 carries thus far this season. He is averaging four yards per carry. In addition, he has 25 receptions for 219 yards and another touchdown.
In other fantasy football news, Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins is in no hurry to return to the football field. The tight end has only played in two games thus far this season due to a shoulder injury and he will continue to sit out of games until he is 100 percent.
"I don't want to go out there and not give my teammates what they deserve out of me when I'm out there," Seferian-Jenkins said, according to the Tampa Bay Times.. "They deserve that, the coaches deserve that and the fans deserve that."
When ASJ does play, he is worth TE1 consideration. In the two games he participated in this season, he hauled in seven passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns. However, it doesn’t sound like he’ll see the field in Week 9 when the Bucs take on the New York Giants.
Just like last week, ASJ has again been limited in practice all week with his injury. So, before submitting him into your starting lineup definitely be sure he’s actually going to suit up. With Vincent Jackson expected to miss Week 9, the team could certainly use him.
