Fantasy football waiver wire: Time is running short to patch backfield holes

It’s late enough in the season that all fantasy football managers should be fortifying their depth for the playoffs. As such, backup running backs are likely to a top priority on the waiver wire this week.

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook left Sunday’s game early with a shoulder injury, so Alexander Mattison (21 rushing yards, TD) will be the lead back for however long Cook is out.

Of course, Mattison is already rostered in many fantasy leagues -- hopefully the team with Cook already locked up Mattison as insurance earlier in the season. However, there are a few other potential pickups who could possibly fill the void.

At this point in the season, use whatever free agent acquisition budget (FAAB) you have left to get the players you need most.

Best bets

RB Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers. Like Mattison, Hubbard should already be safely tucked away on fantasy rosters in the wake of Christian McCaffrey's recurring injury problems. However, with CMC officially out for the rest of the season, Hubbard will return to the starting role. The only problem: the Panthers have a Week 13 bye.

RB Jamaal Williams, Detroit Lions. With D’Andre Swift dealing with a shoulder sprain on Thanksgiving Day, Williams rushed for 65 yards on 15 carries – and also caught five passes. He looks fully recovered from the thigh injury that sidelined him earlier in the season.

RB Dontrell Hilliard, Tennessee Titans. Although he won't help you this week because Tennessee is also on a bye, Hilliard has had solid back-to-back games. Against the Patriots, he carried the ball 12 times for 131 yards, including a 68-yard touchdown. If you can handle delayed gratification, the Titans host the Jaguars in Week 14.

RB Matt Breida, Buffalo Bills. We've mentioned Breida before, but his stock has seemed to rise as Zack Moss has fallen out of favor. The speedster had a season-high nine carries and scored his third touchdown in as many weeks on Turkey Day against a stout Saints defense.

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Replacements

RB Tevin Coleman, New York Jets. Starter Michael Carter will be out through at least Week 14 with an ankle sprain, pushing Coleman into the lead role. He had 16 carries for 67 yards against the Texans and will face the Eagles next.

RB J.D. McKissic, Washington Football Team. McKissic has always been an effective weapon as a receiver, but on Monday night, he scored both a rushing touchdown and a receiving one. A neck issue that caused him to be carted off the field vs. Seattle is a concern, but all signs seem to indicate it wasn't a serious injury.

WR Kendrick Bourne, New England Patriots. Bourne caught a pair of TD passes from QB Mac Jones among his five receptions for 61 yards on Sunday. However, his upcoming schedule is not kind for fantasy managers. The Patriots travel to Buffalo this week and after a Week 14 bye, they'll face the Bills again in Week 16.

WR Cedrick Wilson, Dallas Cowboys. Wilson has been more active lately with Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb unavailable. He was targeted 10 times on Thanksgiving Day vs. the Raiders, catching seven for 104 yards. The news is not all positive though. Cooper and Lamb should be back for Thursday night's game in New Orleans, while Wilson missed practice on Monday with an ankle injury.

TE Jack Doyle, Indianapolis Colts. Doyle led all tight ends in PPR scoring in Week 12 with six receptions for 81 yards and a TD. He's scored in three of his last five games heading into Sunday's enticing matchup with the Texans.

Follow Steve Gardner on Twitter @SteveAGardner.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fantasy football waiver wire: Desperation sets in with RB injuries