Mark Walton, Kalen Ballage update

Dolphins running back Kalen Ballage was announced as the starter in Week 8, but Mark Walton was the real starter. Walton had 52 snaps to Ballage’s ten. Walton finished with 11 rushes for 35 yards and three receptions for 19 yards. Ballage finished with three rushes for eight yards and one reception for 11 yards.

The Miami Dolphins are throwing out a curve ball following the Kenyan Drake trade. The team announced their roster changes for Week 8 Monday Night Football, and they have inserted Kalen Ballage as starting running back over Mark Walton.

This is a rather unusual decision given the fact that Walton had supplanted Ballage as Drake’s backup and then last week supplanted Drake with more touches and snaps. The thought with Drake’s trade was that Walton would immediately move into the starting lineup. Instead, Ballage is getting first crack at it on Monday.

It’s worth noting that just because Ballage is starting does not mean he will finish the game as the lead back. He could start all game, he could get the first series and alternate with Walton, or he could get a few snaps and then Walton replaces him for the majority of snaps. None of us know for the time being, so if you were counting on Walton for your DraftKings MNF Showdown lineup, you might want to reconsider.