Is Tyler Allgeier still a must-start in Week 10 with Bam Knight returning?

The Arizona Cardinals’ backfield outlook shifted ahead of their Week 10 matchup with the Los Angeles Rams. Head coach Mike LaFleur told reporters that Bam Knight will not carry an injury designation and is expected to be available.

Knight’s return complicates the workload projections for Arizona’s running backs, particularly Tyler Allgeier. With another option back in the mix, does Allgeier still deserve a spot in your fantasy football starting lineup?

How does Bam Knight’s Return Impact Tyler Allgeier’s Fantasy Outlook?

Injuries have limited Arizona’s rushing attack throughout the season. The Cardinals selected Jeremiyah Love with the No. 4 overall pick expecting him to lead the backfield, but the Notre Dame product has battled ankle injuries and is currently on injured reserve. Before landing on IR, Love totaled 76 carries for 268 yards and one touchdown across six games.

Allgeier has been Arizona’s most consistent option, leading the team with 89 carries for 369 yards and two touchdowns through nine games. He has also contributed 128 receiving yards and another touchdown through the air. His 93.7 DraftKings fantasy points rank 22nd among running backs, averaging 10.4 points per game. The 26-year-old has played at least 35.6% of Arizona’s offensive snaps in every game. Over the past four weeks, he has handled 54 carries for 250 yards and one touchdown.

However, Zonovan “Bam” Knight is set to return after missing one game with a concussion. Knight has totaled 28 carries for 168 yards, along with 43 receiving yards, without reaching the end zone this season. Most of that production came during Weeks 6 through 8, when he recorded 25 carries for 136 yards and all 43 of his receiving yards.

His best performance came against these same Rams in Week 6. Knight finished with 15 carries for 80 yards and two receptions for 18 yards, producing a season-high 11.8 DraftKings fantasy points. He followed that effort with 9.8 points against the Broncos the next week.

That recent production gives Knight a case for continued involvement, but his return lowers the fantasy outlook for both backs. Neither should be considered an automatic starter, especially against a Los Angeles defense that ranks 13th in rushing yards allowed, second in fewest rushing touchdowns allowed, and 12th in yards allowed per carry. A defensive front featuring Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald presents about as intimidating of a matchup as they come in the NFL.

The Cardinals also face uncertainty at quarterback, with rookie Carson Beck set to make his first career start. Arizona traded Jacoby Brissett before losing Gardner Minshew to a season-ending elbow injury, leaving Beck to take over against a formidable defense. Beck showed flashes during the preseason, but this is a difficult opening assignment. Running lanes have been hard to find for Arizona throughout the season, and the Rams could crowd the line of scrimmage to force the rookie to beat them through the air.

Given the more consistent level of production that has been seen, Allgeier should still be viewed as the more desirable running back in this Week 10 matchup. But neither member of the Cardinals’ rushing attack should be etched in permanent ink to be a starter in most fantasy football formats. Expect the ceiling of Allgeier to be a low-end flex play, and be braced for the Cardinals offense to stall a bit in Beck’s first start against a talented Rams defense that must play with some real desperation following the disappointing start to the year.