The Jaguars are coming back from their bye week to host the Texans in Week 13, and it looks like they’ll have both of their top running backs available. Tank Bigsby ($5,200) will be a “full go” in practice Wednesday, according to coach Doug Pederson. He’ll share work with Travis Etienne Jr. ($5,700), and both could get a significant boost if Trevor Lawrence ($5,400) can also return from his two-game absence due to a sprained AC’ joint.
With both running backs in play, can you start either one against the Texans? Let’s take a look!
The Jaguars backfield timeshare
Etienne started the year as the top back on the depth chart, but Bigsby had a bigger timeshare than many expected in Week 1. Tank missed Week 2 with an injury, but returned and eventually had a breakthrough game in Week 5 with over 100 rushing yards, two touchdowns and 28.9 fantasy points against the Colts.
Bigsby played more snaps than Etienne the following week, but that was partly due to a hamstring strain that sidelined Etienne for the next two weeks. When he returned in Week 9, Bigsby was the primary ball carrier with Etienne in a smaller role, but the two flipped the script the following week in Week 10 with Etienne getting 68% of the snaps.
In that game, Bigsby suffered an ankle injury which kept him out of Week 11’s contest.
In summary, we haven’t had a clear picture of what the backfield will look like with both backs healthy since Week 4 or Week 5.
The potential upside each running back brings
Etienne struggled with just 27 rushing yards on 12 carries last week with Mac Jones ($4,900) under center. He added six receiving yards on three catches. He hasn’t had double-digit fantasy points since Week 5 despite getting double-digit carries the last two weeks.
Bigsby has been the more productive option when healthy this season. He had his big game against the Colts with 28.9 fantasy points in Week 5 and also had a monster game with 26.8 fantasy points against the Patriots in Week 7.
He was also solid in Week 8, when he had 78 rushing yards and 10.6 fantasy points against the Packers.
Of the two, Bigsby has shown a higher ceiling, and he’s also cheaper than Etienne in DFS contests like the NFL $2.5M Fantasy Football Millionaire [$1M to 1st]. He’s the better DFS option due to the savings and upside.
The verdict: Start Tank Bigsby, sit Travis Etienne Jr.
If both are available, Bigsby makes more sense and brings more upside. If either one sits, the other becomes an even stronger play. However, the key to either one being usable is Lawrence returning. If the Texans are able to load up against the run, both backs would be better left on the bench this week.
The Jags are four-point home underdogs against the Texans.
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