Happy Thanksgiving. As we gather around the table to enjoy turkey, stuffing, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce, I wanted to give thanks to all of you for following along for another season. This is my fourth year of writing the handcuff report and it is something I have come to love doing each week. I hope you have found this article to be helpful as part of your weekly process and it is bringing you closer to fantasy glory this season.

With the fantasy playoff set to start, next week will be the final installment of the handcuff report for the 2024 season. In that article, I will walk through all 32 backfields and let you know who to stash in the event of disaster with the starter. Hopefully, you are fighting for a playoff positioning this late but even if you aren’t, grab a plate and let’s enjoy the best week of football of the year.

Handcuff Notes

Jaylen Warren (RB – PIT)

Jaylen Warren outplayed Najee Harris Thursday, logging a 57% snap share. Some of this was game script-related but the touches were just 18-16 in Harris’s favor and Warren found paydirt on a short touchdown run. He would be an RB2 if Harris were to miss time.

Jeremy McNichols (RB – WAS)/Chris Rodriguez (RB – WAS)

Brian Robinson saw limited action with just five carries after exiting in the first quarter due to an ankle injury. Although he returned to the game, he did not play in the second half, making his status a situation to monitor. With Austin Ekeler also sidelined by a concussion, Chris Rodriguez and Jeremy McNichols emerge as intriguing waiver wire targets. McNichols is my preferred target there.

Jonathon Brooks (RB – CAR)

Last week I discussed Jonathon Brooks and his return to Carolina. Brooks had just seven yards on two carries but he was the only other Carolina running back to log a touch. He is locked in as the primary backup to Chuba Hubbard.

Kareem Hunt (RB – KC)

Kareem Hunt‘s run as the starter in Kansas City ended with a disappointing finish. He did log 87 yards on 19 touches but he didn’t score in a matchup that has been among the league’s best for running backs. Isiah Pacheco might be eased back in but Hunt now becomes one of the top handcuffs in the league.

Ameer Abdullah (RB – LV)

With Alexander Mattison and Zamir White sidelined, Ameer Abdullah dominated the backfield in Week 12, playing 90% of the Raiders’ offensive snaps – a season-high for any Vegas running back.

Abdullah capitalized on the opportunity, scoring 17.5 PPR points, which ties the highest single-game output by a Raiders back this season. He did so on just 13 touches, but he did manage five receptions. He is PPR-viable as long as Mattison and White are out.

Trey Benson (RB – ARI)

James Conner saw his usage hover around 50% of the running back opportunities for the third straight game. Arizona’s offense on the whole struggled Sunday putting up just six points. Conner will still get 12-15 touches but he might be past the days where he gets 18+ touches. Keep tabs on Trey Benson‘s usage.

Cam Akers (RB – MIN)

Cam Akers has leapfrogged Ty Chandler in Minnesota and might prove valuable in the next few weeks. Aaron Jones wasn’t 100% on Sunday and he always seems to playing nicked up. Akers might find himself a nice role at some point down the stretch.

Audric Estime (RB – DEN)

Sean Payton is not to be trusted. In Week 11, Audric Estime had a 29% running back opportunity share. That fell to 16% in Week 12 as he played just five snaps.

Handcuff Rankings

1. Jordan Mason (RB – SF)/Isaac Guerendo (RB – SF)

2. Kareem Hunt (RB – KC)

3. Tyler Allgeier (RB – ATL)

4. Zach Charbonnet (RB – SEA)

5. Jaylen Warren (RB – PIT)

6. Trey Benson (RB – ARI)

7. Blake Corum (RB – LAR)

8. Gus Edwards (RB – LAC)

9. Emanuel Wilson (RB – GB)

T-10. Ameer Abdullah (RB – LV) – PPR-Only/Cam Akers (RB – MIN)

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