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49ers' Running Back Factory Getting Tested In Fantasy Football With Never-ending Injuries

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Some jobs are more dangerous than others. Logging workers face more dangers than most professions. Roofers encounter a higher number of risks than those at other jobs. For our money, those employed in high steel construction endure the most terrifying work environment.

Though, more and more you could make an argument the most dangerous job is that of running back for the San Francisco 49ers.

The damage rate is incredible. Rewind back to Week 1 of the season. On the Friday before the 49ers' Monday night opener against the Jets, Christian McCaffrey claimed he would play despite a calf problem that plagued him throughout the preseason. But he didn't play. In fact, McCaffrey didn't play until Week 10.

In his place would have been Elijah Mitchell, but McCaffrey's backup was placed on season-ending injury reserve before the season started due to a hamstring problem.

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Advice: The 9 Best Pickups For Week 15

Welcome to the Week 15 waiver wire watch! Consider making a waiver claim in your fantasy football leagues for the following players (available in at least 50% of ESPN leagues).

Jameis Winston, QB, Cleveland Browns

Famous Jameis leads the league in dropbacks, pass attempts, passing yards, and air yards since he became Cleveland's starter in Week 8. There may not be a more volatile player out there — but nobody's getting more chances with the football in their hands either. Winston is a volume-based fantasy player with potentially high-scoring duels against the Chiefs, Bengals, Dolphins, and Ravens on deck to close the season.

Tank Bigsby, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

With Trevor Lawrence out for the year and the Jaguars eliminated from the playoffs, Bigsby quietly took the lead role from Travis Etienne on Sunday. Etienne started the game but only saw 4 carries for 20 yards; Bigsby got 18 totes for 55 yards and the go-ahead score. He's only trusted as a rusher and plays for a truly bad offense, yet Bigsby could provide decent fantasy value in upcoming games against the Jets and Raiders.

Isaiah Davis, RB, New York Jets

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that New York isn't considering shutting down Breece Hall despite him missing Sunday's game due to a lingering knee injury. That said, Davis and/or fellow rookie Braelon Allen are worth adding in case Hall remains out. Davis had 13 touches for 67 yards and a touchdown on Sunday; Allen had 15 touches for 81 yards. I prefer Davis — who provides more juice, especially as a receiver — but both Jets should be on every fantasy manager's radar.

Sincere McCormick, RB, Las Vegas Raiders

With Zamir White and Alexander Mattison knocked out of action due to injuries, McCormick has taken the opportunity in Vegas' backfield and run with it. The UTSA product has 27 carries for 142 yards over the past two weeks. Once a practice squad regular, McCormick is suddenly a must-add in all formats so long as he keeps his starting job.

Patrick Taylor, RB, San Francisco 49ers

Niners running backs have been dropping like flies. The poster child of last week's column, Isaac Guerendo, joined Elijah Mitchell, Christian McCaffrey, and Jordan Mason on the injury report after spraining his ankle on Sunday. Taylor played the majority of snaps in his absence and finished with 7 carries for 25 yards and a touchdown. His traits aren't nearly as exciting as that of Guerendo, let alone McCaffrey, but you know the rule: backs starting for Kyle Shanahan musn't be ignored.

Romeo Doubs, WR, Green Bay Packers

Few available players bring the same weekly floor as Doubs: he's had at least 3 catches and 28 yards in eight of 10 games this year, and he ran more routes than any other Packer until his Week 12 concussion. That injury has made Doubs up for grabs in most fantasy leagues but don't sleep on the former fourth-rounder. He'll have plenty of scoring opportunities in Weeks 16 and 17 particularly with Green Bay playing New Orleans and Minnesota — each ranks bottom-three in targets and bottom-eight in fantasy points per game allowed to wideouts.

Jalen McMillan, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

This year's 92nd overall pick scored his second and third NFL touchdowns on Sunday. He also had a career-high 59 yards. Buyers should beware of regression, as the Bucs have a tough draw against the Chargers next week, but McMillan is still worth flagging considering his growing role in one of the league's hottest offenses.

Adam Thielen, WR, Carolina Panthers

Hand up — I was wrong about Bryce Young, who's been playing great ball after looking like one of the worst no. 1 picks in recent memory. The biggest beneficiary of Young's turnaround is 34-year-old Adam Thielen, who's posted 8-plus catches and 99-plus yards in consecutive weeks. With susceptible secondaries on the horizon (Dallas, Arizona, Tampa Bay, Atlanta), he should be a plug-and-play consideration for any fantasy squad.

Ravens D/ST

Baltimore's Defense/Special Teams is available in most leagues due to its Week 14 bye week. If you can, scoop them up before Sunday's showdown against Drew Lock's Giants. (The Jets D/ST also has a juicy matchup against Mac Jones' Jaguars.) Defenses typically aren't worth losing a top waiver spot, but if you've made it this far, consider taking every opportunity to improve your starting lineup.

Week 14 Fantasy Football Rankings: Latest Position-by-Position Rundown

Brooke Sutton/Getty Images

1. Saquon Barkley, PHI (vs. CAR)

2. Alvin Kamara, NO (at NYG)

3. Bijan Robinson, ATL (at MIN)

4. De'Von Achane, MIA (vs. NYJ)

5. Chase Brown, CIN (at DAL)

6. James Cook, BUF (at LAR)

7. Kyren Williams, LAR (vs. BUF)

8. Aaron Jones, MIN (vs. ATL)

9. James Conner, ARI (vs. SEA)

10. Tony Pollard, TEN (vs. JAX)

Sleeper: Isaac Guerendo, SF (vs. CHI)

Guerendo is technically the next man up in San Francisco's backfield, but the rookie fourth-rounder feels a little more like the last man standing. The 49ers are without Christian McCaffrey (knee) and Jordan Mason (ankle)—not to mention Elijah Mitchell (hamstring), who landed on season-ending injured reserve in August—which means Guerendo could be utilized early and often.

His opportunities have largely been limited this season, but he's had two games in which he's handled double-digit carries. In those contests, he totaled 24 carries for 184 yards and a touchdown, plus three receptions for another 17 yards. He should have a chance to do real damage against a Chicago defense allowing the 10th-most fantasy points to running backs.

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