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Week 3 is here and we have the top 50 backs ranked for your standard and PPR formats.
Week 2 didn't provide us with any huge injury news, so fantasy teams should be in a similar position to last week. Let's take a look at some developing stories going on around the league:
Tom Coughlin said that he's expecting Ahmad Bradshaw to play on Thursday against the Panthers. We should take him at his word, since Bradshaw was on the sideline after the injury and looked like he wanted to go back in. Moments later, he was ruled out for the game. Coughlin said that Andre Brown would pick up most of the work, so Bradshaw owners really have to try to pick him up. If Bradshaw does give it a go, he'd be a weak RB2 with a favorable matchup.
According to Jeff Fisher, Steven Jackson (groin) could have returned to the game on Sunday, but rookie Daryl Richardson was performing well enough to keep the star back out. Jackson likely will have the dreaded game-time decision coming into this week and owners might want to make sure they own Richardson just in case he is out.
Mikel Leshoure is going to be active this week and offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said he plans on using the Illinois product. This news puts a dent in Kevin Smith's value in a big way and his long-term prospects aren't looking good. If Smith is your RB3 or RB4, it might be a good idea to take a flier on another bench back. Leshoure should be owned in all competitive leagues.
Jacquizz Rodgers played just 17 fewer snaps than Michael Turner on Monday Night Football. Turner has been a disaster this year with his pathetic 2.6 YPC on 28 carries. He isn't doing much right and just looks horrible on passing downs. 'Quizz went from a player to watch to take over the starting job to now someone that looks like it's almost his to lose. The Oregon State Beaver has to be owned for his upside.
Rashard Mendenhall is going to take part in contact drills this week for the first time since his injury. While this is obviously a good sign, the word on the street is that he won't make his debut until Week 5. Isaac Redman and Jonathan Dwyer have done nothing to be a threat to Mendy, so if he comes back healthy, the job should be his.
If your league rewards for 100-yard games, return yards or something like that, you can ask me on Twitter (@MikeSGallagher) for lineup help. Here are the rankings for Week 3 PPR and standard leagues:
| Standard | PPR | ||
| 1 | Arian Foster | Arian Foster | |
| 2 | Ray Rice | DeMarco Murray | |
| 3 | DeMarco Murray | C.J. Spiller | |
| 4 | LeSean McCoy | Ray Rice | |
| 5 | C.J. Spiller | LeSean McCoy | |
| 6 | Doug Martin | Trent Richardson | |
| 7 | Trent Richardson | Darren McFadden | |
| 8 | Maurice Jones-Drew | Darren Sproles | |
| 9 | Michael Bush | Doug Martin | |
| 10 | Darren McFadden | Reggie Bush | |
| 11 | Marshawn Lynch | Maurice Jones-Drew | |
| 12 | Stevan Ridley | Michael Bush | |
| 13 | Adrian Peterson | Stevan Ridley | |
| 14 | Reggie Bush | Jamaal Charles | |
| 15 | Frank Gore | Marshawn Lynch | |
| 16 | Jamaal Charles | Adrian Peterson | |
| 17 | Chris Johnson | Chris Johnson | |
| 18 | Steven Jackson | Steven Jackson | |
| 19 | Ryan Mathews | Ryan Mathews | |
| 20 | Darren Sproles | Frank Gore | |
| 21 | Cedric Benson | Cedric Benson | |
| 22 | Shonn Greene | Kevin Smith | |
| 23 | Donald Brown | Donald Brown | |
| 24 | Jonathan Stewart | Shonn Greene | |
| 25 | Kevin Smith | Jonathan Stewart | |
| 26 | BenJarvus Green-Ellis | Alfred Morris | |
| 27 | Alfred Morris | Ahmad Bradshaw | |
| 28 | Ahmad Bradshaw | Pierre Thomas | |
| 29 | Michael Turner | Jacquizz Rodgers | |
| 30 | Willis McGahee | Willis McGahee | |
| 31 | Pierre Thomas | BenJarvus Green-Ellis | |
| 32 | Jonathan Dwyer | Michael Turner | |
| 33 | Jacquizz Rodgers | Ben Tate | |
| 34 | Ben Tate | Kendall Hunter | |
| 35 | Peyton Hillis | Dexter McCluster | |
| 36 | Kendall Hunter | Jonathan Dwyer | |
| 37 | Beanie Wells | Bilal Powell | |
| 38 | Mark Ingram | Mark Ingram | |
| 39 | DeAngelo Williams | Mikel LeShoure | |
| 40 | Mikel LeShoure | Peyton Hillis | |
| 41 | Bilal Powell | Beanie Wells | |
| 42 | Isaac Redman | DeAngelo Williams | |
| 43 | Lamar Miller | Evan Royster | |
| 44 | Evan Royster | Andre Brown (up 20 with Bradshaw out) | |
| 45 | Andre Brown (if Bradshaw is out, move up 20) | Lamar Miller | |
| 46 | Ryan Williams | Isaac Redman | |
| 47 | Jackie Battle | David Wilson | |
| 48 | Daryl Richardson | Roy Helu | |
| 49 | David Wilson | Chris Ogbonnaya | |
| 50 | Dexter McCluster | Ryan Williams |
For more fantasy info, check out the SB Nation Fantasy War Room 4-8:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday. Check out SB Nation's own Fantasy Football game, Pick 6!
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