Who to add to fantasy roster if Chris Carson, Kareem Hunt, Sony Michel don’t play in Week 4

While injuries haven’t sidelined as many running backs as other positions thus far in 2020, several big names could miss Week 4. Fantasy starters Chris Carson, Kareem Hunt, and Sony Michel either the weekend with an official injury designation while the unplanned bye week for the Tennessee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers take Derrick Henry and James Conner out of commission.

All of which leaves many fantasy managers scrambling for replacement options with little time before kickoff.

Fantasy football running backs to consider

Carlos Hyde: If Carson misses Week 4 due to his knee sprain, Carlos Hyde will step in as the Seahawks’ starting running back. Thus far in 2020, Hyde has not run efficiently nor has he factored into the passing game, but he should still see enough opportunities in Carson’s absence to merit the nod in an emergency.

Rex Burkhead: With James White absent while dealing with the tragic death of his father, Rex Burkhead received the lion’s share of the backfield work in New England the past two weeks. Burkhead’s touches will probably dip with White back in the mix, but his red-zone usage gives up touchdown upside as he demonstrated last week against the Las Vegas Raiders. At least some of the snaps Michel vacates should he sit would go to Burkhead.

Jordan Howard: Any fantasy manager that starts Jordan Howard can’t expect more than a handful of carries, but the one-dimensional running back has scored a touchdown in each of the Miami Dolphins’ first three games. He represents a total feast-or-famine play, but desperate times call for desperate measures.