Who Should I Start? Dare Ogunbowale or D'Ernest Johnson

Sunday, October 6, 4:25 PM

Houston Texans running back Dare Ogunbowale saved an inefficient running day against the Buffalo Bills with regular involvement in the passing game, hauling in six of seven targets for 57 yards in Houston's 23-20 win. The journeyman running back had a team-high 15 carries, but turned them into just 30 rushing yards. The former Wisconsin Badger saw a higher-than-normal volume of carries due to an injury to starter Joe Mixon (ankle), but his receiving productivity offered some hope he could continue to be involved when Mixon returns. Houston's distribution of carries likely will depend on the injury report prior to a Week 6 game at New England.

Saturday, November 16, 12:00 PM

Jacksonville Jaguars running back D'Ernest Johnson could get some opportunities to produce this week against the Detroit Lions. With Tank Bigsby out with an ankle injury, Johnson should serve as the clear backup to Travis Etienne Jr. While the Jaguars have used multiple backs for most of the season, that is mostly due to Etienne Jr.'s previous season performances and Bigsby's emergence this season. In the weeks when Etienne Jr. missed due to injury, Johnson didn't produce much. He did do decent against the Patriots in Week 6, producing 70 total yards on 12 touches. However, the Patriots have been one of the worst run defenses this season, while the Lions have been one of the better run defenses this season. Unless Johnson gets involved in the passing game, he is nothing more than a desperate fantasy option in Week 11 against the Lions.