The first-place New York Giants are returning from a Week 8 bye for a matchup on Sunday afternoon against the Philadelphia Eagles. With J.J. McCarthy at QB, the offense looks a little different from earlier this season, and the backfield rotation has undergone quite a dramatic shift in the last few weeks. In Week 9, it could be totally different again, with Devin Singletary stepping into a prominent role, especially if Cam Skattebo is limited or unavailable.
Let’s examine the Big Blue backfield headed into their favorable Week 9 matchup and see what to expect.
Cam Skattebo injury update
After opening the season as the team’s primary running back, Skattebo lost his hold on the role with some fumbling issues. In Week 6, the team went with a four-back rotation, and Skattebo didn’t even get a carry in that game. In Week 7, though, he bounced back with a massive game against the Texans.
Skattebo ran hard and racked up 124 rushing yards with a touchdown on his 17 carries. He had a big run in overtime but said that he “felt something in his hamstring.” Even after a Week 8 bye, he was spotted working off to the side of practice with trainers this week, and head coach John Harbaugh said that the running back is day-to-day and could end up being a game-time decision.
Devin Singletary fantasy football outlook
In some ways, Singletary could be the last running back standing if Skattebo is unavailable or limited against the Eagles. Najee Harris, who started in Week 6, was released shortly after that, while Tyrone Tracy Jr. (hamstring) landed on IR after his own hamstring injury in Week 7, and he’ll miss at least the next four games.
Singletary didn’t play any offensive snaps from Week 3 through Week 5 before stepping back in when the rotation shifted in Week 6. He actually played the most snaps of any RB that week since the Giants were playing from behind and going pass-heavy against the Saints. In Week 7, he played behind Tracy and Skattebo, but after Tracy left with that injury, Singletary got more work, eventually scoring the walk-off touchdown against his former team the play after Skattebo exited.
Singletary had a season-high 14.5 FPTS in that contest but also showed that kind of potential with 13.8 FPTS in Week 1, when he had a receiving touchdown in the team’s win over the Cowboys. This season, he has 18 total carries for 80 rushing yards and eight catches for 55 yards with two total touchdowns.
As a versatile producer, he has a good ceiling against the Eagles this week if he becomes the Giants’ primary running back. The Eagles have allowed six rushing touchdowns to running backs over their eight games this season, allowing over 100 rushing yards to the position in three straight games, with opposing running backs averaging 142.3 rushing yards against them in those three games.
The Bottom Line: Start Devin Singletary if Cam Skattebo is unavailable
Singletary is a great snag from the waiver wire and can be used as a strong RB3 or FLEX option if he’s the focus of the Giants’ backfield. Even if Skattebo does play, Singletary will likely have an involved role in passing downs and is worth watching closely, because at least for the next four weeks, he will have a chance to fill in for Tracy.
In DFS fantasy football contests like DraftKings’ NFL $2.5M Fantasy Football Millionaire [$1M to 1st], Singletary has a very affordable salary of just $4,600, which makes him potentially an elite value. If Skattebo sits, Singletary is almost a must-start at that salary, and even if he’s in just a third-down role, he brings enough potential to remain a strong value consideration.
