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10 RB sleepers to target for fantasy football week 3

By Zachary Thompson

Sep 1, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Cameron Artis-Payne (34) runs up the middle chased by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker L.J. Fort (54) during the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Cameron Artis-Payne (34) runs up the middle chased by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker L.J. Fort (54) during the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 11, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Detroit Lions running back Dwayne Washington (36) leaps into the end zone for a touchdown as he is tackled by Indianapolis Colts defensive end Kendall Langford (90) in the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Detroit Lions running back Dwayne Washington (36) leaps into the end zone for a touchdown as he is tackled by Indianapolis Colts defensive end Kendall Langford (90) in the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Dwayne Washington-Detroit Lions

Another running back situation thrown into chaos by injury this week is in Detroit where they Lions are trying to replace the injured Ameer Abdullah. Abdullah suffered a sprained foot in the Lions loss to Tennessee and he landed on IR by the middle of the week.

With Abdullah out, the Lions will split duties between Theo Riddick, Dwayne Washington, and maybe a little bit of Zach Zenner mixed in. Riddick is a solid play, but he isn’t an every-down back and could also struggle to stay healthy. The member of the Lions backfield in our RB sleepers this week is the goal-line option Dwayne Washington.

Washington was the 236th pick in last year’s draft after starring at Washington University (pretty sure it wasn’t named after him, though). He had a monster finish to the preseason to first leap into the fantasy football sleeper picture totaling 104 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries in the preseason including a 58-yard run to daylight against the Bills.

In his regular season action, Washington had 31 yards on his four carries against the Titans in Week 2. He could get double-digit carries against the Packers today, and his role as the team’s short-yardage specialist gives him the inside track for any rushing TDs the offense generates. He’s still a flier option even with Detroit’s current situation, but he’s worth adding in almost all formats.

Starting him this week is risky, but he’s one of the RB sleepers to watch as the situation unfolds in Detroit this week.

Next: Lots of upside-is he starting?

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