In the ever-changing landscape of fantasy football, injuries can create opportunities for other players. This week, it’s Jeremiyah Love's ankle injury creating a spotlight for Tyler Allgeier as he looks to break out in Love's absence.
Impact on the Roster
Jeremiyah Love has struggled with injuries this season, including missing two games already due to a prior ankle issue. Following a re-injury during a clash against the Cowboys, he is expected to miss 2-3 weeks. This development opens the door for running backs Tyler Allgeier and Bam Knight to take on larger roles.
To fully understand the situation, let’s take a look at the performance of Allgeier and Knight over the last three games:
- Tyler Allgeier: 44 rushing snaps, 37 attempts, 204 rushing yards, 1 touchdown
- Bam Knight: 29 rushing snaps, 25 attempts, 136 rushing yards, 0 touchdowns, 2 fumbles
In Week 8, Allgeier clearly outperformed Knight, with 13 carries to Knight's three, rushing for an impressive 147 yards.
What to Expect Moving Forward
As fantasy managers assess their options for Week 9, Allgeier appears set to dominate backfield snaps. While specific snap percentages are hard to define, it is reasonable to forecast that Allgeier could handle approximately 70% of Arizona’s rushing attempts, leaving Knight to pick up the remainder.
However, it’s important to note that Arizona's running game has been less effective in the red zone. Including Love, the team has recorded just one touchdown out of 35 attempts from their running backs within the red zone. Therefore, while Allgeier may assume the goal-line responsibilities during Love's absence, the potential for touchdowns seems limited based on team performance.
In fantasy terms, Allgeier could be viewed as a low-end RB2, depending on the depth of your league. While he may not be a must-start in all formats, he offers sufficient value in deeper leagues. Meanwhile, Knight is likely to fall into the RB40-50 category as he takes on a complimentary role.
Update on Jeremiyah Love's Condition
This latest ankle setback for Love adds to a string of issues that have plagued him throughout the season. He initially suffered a high-ankle sprain in mid-August, limiting his effectiveness early on. After returning to practice before Week 1, he has continued to play at less than full strength.
Recent reports confirm that Love has also been managing issues with his other ankle, presenting a challenging situation for both him and his fantasy managers. His average of 13.4 rushing attempts per game—excluding Week 8—demonstrates significant potential, as does his 21st rank out of 44 running backs in PFF Rushing Grade. Despite this, the latest injury means he is likely out for a minimum of two weeks, and experts suggest he may face a high risk of re-injury for some time.
If you have Love on your fantasy roster, the best course of action is to place him in your IR slot, hoping for his return to peak performance soon.
Injuries can be frustrating for fantasy owners, but they often leave room for unexpected stars to shine—like Tyler Allgeier.