Pierce, Cook among 5 fantasy football RBs to avoid in Week 3

1 of 5 | Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (R) is a low-end RB2 or flex play if you don’t roster a better option. File Photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo
MIAMI, Sept. 19 (UPI) — Dameon Pierce and James Cook are among my five fantasy football running backs to avoid in lineups in Week 3. My Week 3 wide receiver rankings and waiver-wire additions articles remain available for your preparation. My positional rankings will continue to be altered for developments, including injuries. Advertisement
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb, who most likely sustained a season-ending knee injury Monday, and injured New York Giants star Saquon Barkley should be removed from all lineups.
The status of injured running backs Austin Ekeler, David Montgomery and Aaron Jones should be monitored this week before they are placed in starting lineups.
My Top 30 running back rankings for Week 3 are below. My running backs to avoid rank just inside the Top 24 of my rankings.
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James Conner
Conner ranks outside the Top 14 in points per game among running backs this season, but I would even avoid him as an RB2 if possible in Week 3. The Arizona Cardinals running back logged 64 yards on 14 carries in Week 1 against a respectable Washington Commanders defense.
He rebounded with 103 yards and a score against the New York Giants in Week 2, but I expect another bad performance in Week 3 against the Dallas Cowboys.
The Cowboys allowed a league-low 112 total yards and no touchdowns to running backs through two weeks. They held Saquon Barkley to just 51 yards in Week 1 and erased the New York Jets running game in Week 2.
I expect the Cowboys to jump out to a big lead and dominate in time of possession, limiting Conner’s opportunities. He is my No. 25 option.
Dameon Pierce
Pierce ranks outside the Top 40 running backs in fantasy points per game. The Houston Texans running back failed to eclipse 40 rushing yards in either of his first two starts.
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This week, the Texans will face the Jacksonville Jaguars on the road. The Jaguars allowed just 93 rushing yards and no scores to running backs through two games.
Pierce should play better next week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but I would keep him out of my lineup until Week 4.
He is the No. 26 player in my rankings.
James Cook
Cook posted the 11th-most fantasy points among running backs in Week 2, with a 159-yard performance against the Las Vegas Raiders.
I don’t expect the same success this week when the Buffalo Bills face the Washington Commanders. The Commanders tied for allowing the seventh-fewest fantasy points to running backs through two weeks.
Cook should still provide low-end RB2 or flex-level production, but I would bench him if you have a player higher in my rankings.
Jerome Ford
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Ford is expected to be the Cleveland Browns’ lead back after Chubb left their lineup because of his knee injury.
The second-year running back went off for 131 yards from scrimmage and a score in Week 2, mostly while filling in for Chubb. He likely won’t find as much room in Week 3, when the Browns face the Tennessee Titans.
The Titans allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to running backs through two weeks. I expect the Titans to dominate time of possession, while giving running back Derrick Henry a large workload. Ford should only be used if you are in a league with at least 14 teams and need someone to fill your flex spot.
Rachaad White
White ranks just inside the Top 20 for fantasy points per game among running backs, but most of that production was because of his 103-yard, one-touchdown performance in Week 2 against a vulnerable Chicago Bears defense.
This week, the Buccaneers will meet a Philadelphia Eagles defense that allowed a league-low 82 rushing yards to running backs through two games. They also have yet to allow a score to the position.
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Look for the Buccaneers to trail in this matchup and focus mostly on their passing game as they play from behind.
White is my No. 30 option. He needs to score a touchdown to provide value for fantasy teams.
Week 3 fantasy football running back rankings
1. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans at CLE
2. Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers vs. NYG
3. Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys at ARI
4. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons at DET
5. Travis Etienne, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. HOU
6. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions vs. ATL
7. Kenneth Walker, Seattle Seahawks vs. CAR
8. Miles Sanders, Carolina Panther at SEA
9. D’Andre Swift, Philadelphia Eagles at TB
10. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams at CIN
11. Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings vs. LAC
12. Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders vs. PIT
13. Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots at NYJ
14. Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos at MIA
15. Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals vs. LAR
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16. Raheem Mostert, Miami Dolphins vs. DEN
17. Breece Hall, New York Jets vs. NE
18. Brian Robinson Jr., Washington Commanders vs. BUF
19. Jamaal Williams, New Orleans Saints at GB
20. Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens vs. IND
21. A.J. Dillon, Green Bay Packers vs. NO
22. Joshua Kelley, Los Angeles Chargers at MIN
23. Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers at LV
24. Zack Moss, Indianapolis Colts at BAL
25. James Conner, Arizona Cardinals vs. DAL
26. Dameon Pierce, Houston Texans at JAX
27. James Cook, Buffalo Bills at WAS
28. Matt Breida, New York Giants at SF
29. Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns vs. TEN
30. Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. PHI
NFL: Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense prevails against Cleveland Browns