The fantasy football playoffs are here for leagues and some pickups and sleeper options include Denard Robinson, Bryce Brown, Christine Michael, Brandon Bolden, Tim Hightower, Fozzy Whittaker, Fred Jackson, James White and Zach Miller for Week 15. Numerous injuries have thrust players into starting roles, with Thomas Rawls, Jonathan Stewart and LeGarrette Blount out.
The Seahawks have Thomas Rawls out for the season and the team now will be using Bryce Brown, Fred Jackson and Christine Michael to replace him until Marshawn Lynch can return. TJ Yeldon is dealing with an injury and that could give Denard Robinson the chance to start, while the Panthers have Jonathan Stewart out this week, pushing Fozzy Whitaker into a bigger role. Fantasy team owners need to make tough decisions this week in the playoffs and some of these players could be options.
The Patriots just lost LeGarrette Blount for the season and that will give James White and Brandon Bolden the chance to step up this week. Both players had already seen an increase in snaps since Dion Lewis went down and even if the Patriots add another RB to the mix, these two should have some solid work this week. Tim Hightower has taken over for the Saints with Mark Ingram out, while Zach Miller has stepped in with Martellus Bennett done for the season for the Bears.
Robinson came in last week for the Jaguars with Yeldon suffering an injury and put up 75 yards on 14 carries along with a touchdown. Robinson is the best option from the Jaguars to replace Yeldon for fantasy owners and he could be a good start option against an inconsistent Falcons rushing defense. Robinson has been behind Yeldon all season and he could get the start for the Jags on Sunday.
The Seahawks brought back Bryce Brown and Christine Michael to help take over for Thomas Rawls and those two are solid options for Week 15. Fred Jackson likely will remain the third down back, but he could see some increased carries with Rawls out. Marshawn Lynch does not have a set timetable to return, so Brown and Michael could be good options for the duration of the fantasy playoffs. Brown is expected to be the starter, but Michael could be worth a flier as a high upside option over the next couple games.
The Panthers have said that Whittaker likely will start against the Giants on Sunday with Jonathan Stewart dealing with an injury. Mike Tolbert likely will get some carries along with Cameron Artis-Payne, but Whittaker is expected to get the bulk of touches. Whittaker has not done much this season with Stewart as the lead back, but he has the chance to put up some numbers against a weak Giants rush defense.
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