Nobody has a more stacked lineup of fantasy analysts and NFL team reporters than ESPN. It's the rare "backfield by committee" that is actually a good thing for fantasy football managers.
Every Tuesday, Mike Triplett will ask our NFL Nation reporters a series of burning questions about the weekend's biggest stories to help inform you for your waiver wire pickups and other roster decisions.
This week's roundup kicks off with new opportunities that could help to bring both Seattle RB Rashaad Penny and Carolina WR Robby Anderson back from fantasy exile.
It's time to begin our weekly trip around the league, so fasten your seat belts and get ready to tour the NFL Nation!
Seattle Seahawks
So, has Rashaad Penny been a sleeping giant this whole time? More importantly, do you expect Seattle to give him a true RB1 workload for the remainder of the season?
Including the playoffs, Penny has missed 30 out of a possible 65 games due to injury since the Seahawks drafted him No. 27 overall in 2018. Between rarely staying healthy and playing behind starter Chris Carson, Penny hasn't had many opportunities -- and hasn't done much with the ones he's gotten. However, he sure did on Sunday and he has also had a couple of nice moments in the weeks leading up to that, so this didn't exactly come out of nowhere.
The Seahawks may be wary of overworking Penny, given his durability issues. I would still expect something of a split with Alex Collins at the top of the backfield depth chart. That said, if Penny can stay healthy, there's no reason why he shouldn't lead the way next week after the biggest day of his career. He's the Seahawks' most explosive back, and right now he looks like their best one. -- Brady Henderson
Carolina Panthers
A new offensive coordinator and suddenly Robby Anderson catches seven passes for 84 yards and a touchdown? Is this just a coincidence, or could he possibly have some fantasy value down the stretch?
No coincidence. Anderson said he was more prepared under Jeff Nixon than he'd been all season. Coach Matt Rhule said the tempo of the offense, particularly with the passing game, was as good as he's seen it all season. Both like what Nixon brings, so look for Anderson to continue being a viable part of the Panthers' offense. Also, DJ Moore is day-to-day with a hamstring injury, which could potentially enhance Anderson's value this week. -- David Newton
Dallas Cowboys
Ezekiel Elliott actually had one fewer touch than Corey Clement on Sunday while Tony Pollard was sidelined. Has it become clear that his workload will be limited for the rest of the regular season, no matter who shares the Dallas backfield?
Don't read too much into Clement having more carries. With the Cowboys having leads of 24-0 and 27-8, Mike McCarthy simply rested Elliott, who is playing with a right knee injury. The running back wore a brace for the first time this season and had a decent game, at least compared to the last six or so weeks. Yes, the Cowboys will continue to manage Elliott down the stretch and Pollard's return from a partially torn plantar fascia should help the run game, as well as take pressure off Elliott. -- Todd Archer
Denver Broncos
Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton and Noah Fant have all disappointed to some degree compared to their fantasy expectations. Do you see hope for any of them down the stretch?
The Broncos are a team that has two running backs with 700-plus yards rushing who are currently just four carries apart this season. So, from a fantasy standpoint, they are a headache-inducing operation that shares the workload in the running game and will move the ball around in the play-action passing game when things are at their best. In short, they will be hard to peg at any spot the rest of the way because they won't be choosy about where their production comes from as they try to end a playoff drought that dates back to the 2016 season.
Asked Monday about getting the tight ends more involved in the offense, coach Vic Fangio said, "We like the production to come from anywhere. Wideouts, running backs, tight ends, wherever it best seems fit for that game, that's where it needs to come from. ... When you hand it off 39 times or 40 times like we did (Sunday), you're not going to have passing-game numbers that make everybody happy. Likewise, earlier in the year when we had those games when we threw it in the 40s ... and you guys were asking about the run game. Just win, baby.'' -- Jeff Legwold
Houston Texans
Does the resurgence of Davis Mills mean we can trust Brandin Cooks in fantasy lineups again?
Given how inconsistent the Texans' offense has been, it's hard to trust anyone on this team for fantasy playoff rosters. However, if there is one player to trust, it's Cooks -- especially because of the trust Mills has with him. "[Mills] knows Brandin is dependable, and he knows Brandin will do everything he has to do to be in position to be able to make plays," coach David Culley said Monday. "There's a trust factor there." -- Sarah Barshop
Philadelphia Eagles
Are we definitely getting Jalen Hurts back as the Eagles' starting quarterback this week, ahead of Gardner Minshew?
I would stop short of saying that Hurts will definitely be back this week, but that's the expectation. Coach Nick Sirianni indicated that Hurts was close to playing against the Jets prior to their bye, and when asked if he'd be ready for Washington, responded "I would think so." Operate as if Hurts will be back in the lineup, while monitoring his activity carefully during the week. When Hurts is healthy, he's the starter. -- Tim McManus
Detroit Lions
Was Craig Reynolds impressive enough to keep a fantasy-relevant role even, when Jamaal Williams returns to the lineup?
Even in defeat, there's no denying the fact that Reynolds was impressive in Denver on Sunday. Without both Williams and D'Andre Swift, he ran 11 times for 83 yards along with two receptions for 16 yards. First things first, though, the Lions have to decide if Reynolds remains on the active roster or if he goes back to the practice squad. I wouldn't bet on his fantasy stock right now, but coach Dan Campbell said he has been impressive in practices, which was why he trusted him in that game-time situation. "I know this ... we like him," Campbell said. "A lot." -- Eric Woodyard
Jacksonville Jaguars
Only 15 total touches for James Robinson -- combined -- in the Jaguars' last two lopsided losses. Will he find his way back to fantasy relevance with better matchups upcoming against the Texans and Jets or is he too risky to use in fantasy starting lineups right now?
To be honest, it's best to stay away from any Jaguars offensive player for the rest of the season. Robinson will definitely be the Jaguars' top back, but it's hard to predict him having any consistent production. The Jaguars rushed for only 69 yards in their past two games combined and had less than 200 total yards in both of those outings. Robinson has had more than 12 carries just once since the Week 7 bye. -- Michael DiRocco
Los Angeles Chargers
How do you think the Chargers will divide their RB workload if Austin Ekeler has to miss time?
He shouldn't miss any time. But if he does, expect Joshua Kelley and Justin Jackson to step in. They would likely split time, but Kelley seems to have found favor. -- Shelley Smith
Buffalo Bills
How will the injuries to Josh Allen and Emmanuel Sanders impact the Bills?
Allen came out of the game against the Buccaneers with his best performance of the season -- and a foot sprain. He technically is considered day-to-day, and practice will dictate how likely he is to play. However, at this point, he is more likely to play than not against the Panthers. If something unexpected happens with Allen's injuries, Mitchell Trubisky could be a desperation fantasy QB option.
Sanders is expected to miss this week's action due to a knee sprain, which opens the door for receiver Gabriel Davis, who hasn't had as many opportunities this year. Davis scored a touchdown in both of the past two games and is a solid receiving option for teams looking for some late help. -- Alaina Getzenberg