Peyton Hillis Fantasy Update: Montario Hardesty Might Start Getting More Carries

Cleveland Browns coach Pat Shurmur indicated on Tuesday that he is hoping to get more carries to backup running back Montario Hardesty (h/t Rotoworld). Shurmur looks at Peyton Hillis' bruising style and recognizes the need to get him some relief on occasion. Hardesty received three carries on Sunday against the Colts and it sounds like Shurmur is hoping to get him some more:

"This is something I need to do a better job of," Shurmur said. "I wanted to get [Hardesty] in the game at some point, [but] I wish we could have got him in the game sooner because he needs to play. Peyton [Hillis] is a bruising-style runner that needs a little bit of relief at times, and I think that's what we'll try to do a better job of next time."

Hillis is currently on a four-game streak of fewer than four yards per carry and a five-game streak of fewer than 100 rushing yards. Of course, against the Colts he did manage to snap six-game scoreless streak. Part of Hillis' value early last season came in his ability to punch the ball in. If he's not getting touchdowns, his fantasy value takes a fairly sizable hit given his recent fairly low yardage total.

For now, Hillis remains a worthy start each week, but you definitely should pay close attention to his numbers these next couple weeks. His upcoming schedule is actually not too bad for fantasy matchups, although Oakland and San Francisco bring some stout rushing defenses. Keep him in your starting lineup for now.

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