Chris Ivory injury has him out Week 2: Fantasy football impact

Aug 20, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Chris Ivory (33) runs during the first quarter of a football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Chris Ivory (33) runs during the first quarter of a football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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In good news regarding the mysterious Chris Ivory injury, it doesn’t look like whatever illness caused his emergency hospitalization last Sunday will have any long-lasting effect on his health. However, Ian Rapoport reported this morning that Ivory has been officially ruled out Week 2.

The Jaguars head to sunny San Diego this week after dropping their opener against the Packers in Week 1. It was only hours before that game last Sunday that anyone even knew that there was Chris Ivory injury which forced him to be a last-minute inactive. Whatever his “general medical issue” is, it doesn’t look like it will have a long-term impact on his fantasy value. He looks like he’ll be ready to roll Week 3 when the Jags host Baltimore.

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While Ivory is out, the main replacement will be second-year back T.J. Yeldon. Yeldon struggled to get anything going on the ground against the Packers taking 21 carries for only 39 yards. He did save his fantasy day with a rushing touchdown and added 30 yards on four catches.

This week, Yeldon will get the start and look to take advantage of plenty of running room against the Chargers defense. San Diego had no answers for Spencer Ware in their opener.  Ware filled in for Jamaal Charles with a big game totaling 199 rushing and receiving yards and scoring a receiving touchdown.

Yeldon will look to capitalize on his opportunity this week, and I think he’ll be able to turn in good numbers long as he gets a similar workload to what he received in Week 1. Right now, I have him as the no. 21 running back in my Week 2 rankings, but you can start him with confidence as a solid RB2 in almost every format. His involvement in the passing game gets him into my top-20 RB in PPR leagues.

Given his matchup, Yeldon has the potential to be one of the standouts this week as a result of the Chris Ivory injury, but if he fails to step up Ivory may take over even more of the workload when he does return. Don’t dump Ivory just yet, but look to start Yeldon if possible this week.