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Early Week 8 Fantasy Pickups: Chris Ivory, Jalen Richard offer help at running back

This season has not been kind to many running backs. Melvin Gordon’s hammy didn’t allow him to play in London against the Titans. Dalvin Cook has yet to see a full workload this season. Injuries are a aspect of the game and they play a huge part in fantasy football. Savvy owners have to act quickly and intelligently whenever a player goes down (or when they get traded!).

Because of that, Liz Loza has three players that are sure to light up the waiver wire for Week 8:

Enter Jalen Richard (20% owned on Yahoo)

Marshawn Lynch is reportedly set to miss “at least” month with a groin issue. Doug Martin, DeAndre Washington, and Richard are behind Lynch on the Raiders running back depth chart. Richard is the most enticing waiver wire add, especially because of his versatile receiving ability — he led Oakland in catches in Week 6. Also, Richard has seen his usage increase with Derek Carr checking down a lot this season in negative game scripts. A lead role in this offense with Lynch’s absence is not out of the question for Richard.

Chris Ivory the man in Buffalo (7% owned on Yahoo)

LeSean McCoy left Buffalo’s game against the Colts early with a head injury. If forced to miss time, Ivory would immediately slot into the starting role.

Chris Ivory will be the lead back for the bills if LeSean McCoy has to miss time. (Photo by Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Chris Ivory will be the lead back for the bills if LeSean McCoy has to miss time. (Photo by Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

He looked good in emergency duty against the Colts, rushing 16 times for 81 yards and catching three passes for another 25 yards. Unfortunately, Indy ran up the score so much that the run game became a non-issue. The Bills must deal with the Patriots in Week 8, and they will probably try to establish the run to keep Tom Brady and Co. off the field.

Still sleeping on Marlon Mack? (54% owned on Yahoo)

We highlighted Marlon Mack as a pickup for Week 7, but it seems fantasy players in shallower leagues weren’t ready to fully commit. Well, that’ll probably change after the performance Mack put on against the Bills. We’ll let the numbers speak for themselves: 19 rushes, 126 yards and a touchdown; two catches, 33 yards and a touchdown; a two-point conversion. He’s the clear lead back in a surging Indy offense who also has Andrew Luck’s confidence.