FANTASY FOOTBALL NFL PLAYERS

Posted: 10/26/2009 5:19pm et

The Contra Costa Times reports Oakland Raiders RB Michael Bush is running out of time to impress the team and head coach Tom Cable. Cable prefers RB Justin Fargas over Bush.

The Huddle Take: Lost in the embarrassment that was Jets 38, Oakland 0 was the fact that Fargas averaged better than 8 yards a carry on Sunday. You'd obviously have to be in pretty dire straits to even consider starting any Raider, but if you have bye week RB issues Fargas could be worth a look against a San Diego defense that has looked very weak at times against the run. Again, though, Fargas would have to be one of your very last options.

Posted: 10/20/2009 11:34am et

ANG Newspapers reports Oakland Raiders RB Michael Bush (head) said he received a blow to the back of the head in Week 6, which kept him out of the game and allowed RB Justin Fargas to carry the majority of the rushing load.

The Huddle Take: With Darren McFadden still likely out with a knee injury and Bush dinged, Fargas should once again get the lion's share of carries this week. Oakland will take on a Jets' run defense without Kris Jenkins in the middle, so Fargas could be in line for some substantial numbers.

Posted: 10/19/2009 1:01pm et

ANG Newspapers reports Oakland Raiders RB Justin Fargas likely moved up the depth chart after rushing for 87 yards in Week 6. Fargas will likely not be the team�s No. 3 running back, even when RB Darren McFadden (knee) returns from injury.

The Huddle Take: It's puzzling why the Raiders don't give Fargas more opportunities, but maybe he opened up enough eyes in Oakland's win over the Eagles that he will now get more looks. He could be worth a free agent pickup if you have room on your roster for possible bye week filler.

Posted: 10/6/2009 11:29am et

Jerry McDonald, of ANG Newspapers, reports Oakland Raiders head coach Tom Cable said RBs Michael Bush and Justin Fargas will split carries in the absence of RB Darren McFadden (knee). 'We have (Justin) Fargas and (Michael) Bush and go with the two of them. Really haven't thought about changes or anything like that,' Cable said.

The Huddle Take: Fargas is an extremely tough runner, but we can't recommend him as a Fantasy starter because QB JaMarcus Russell has been so comically inept. Opposing defenses will continue to commit 8 or 9 in the box and dare Russell to beat them with his arm. So far, he hasn't come close to demonstrating he's capable of doing so.

Posted: 9/16/2009 10:24am et

Jerry McDonald, of ANG Newspapers, reports Oakland Raiders RB Justin Fargas will be "good to go" this week in practice. It appears Fargas' return will not have much an effect on RB Darren McFadden's workload, but RB Michael Bush may see fewer touches.

The Huddle Take: Bush looked pretty good in Week 1, but if Fargas takes his bite out of Bush's share rather than equally from both Bush and McFadden it will put a serious crimp in his fantasy value. Bush still looks like the best candidate for goal line duty, and there's always the possibility that Fargas may wind up traded to the first team that loses their starting running back to a season-ending injury.

Posted: 9/11/2009 10:24pm et

Oakland Raiders RB Justin Fargas (hamstring) was limited in practice Friday, Sept. 11, and he is not expected to play in Week 1.

The Huddle Take: Fargas figures to be the odd man out in the Raiders running game this season anyway as Darren McFadden and Michael Bush seem to be in line to get the lions share of the carries. Look for Fargas to fall further behind the others the longer he is hampered by his hamstring injury.

Posted: 9/8/2009 10:00am et

Jerry McDonald, of ANG Newspapers, reports Oakland Raiders head coach Tom Cable said he is not ready to name the team's starting running back. Cable said RB Justin Fargas, who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury, was not necessarily out of the running.

The Huddle Take: Cable may have tipped his hand last week when he listed the Raiders' top playmakers and Fargas wasn't included. Running back is one position where the Raiders have plenty of depth, but so long as all three backs are in the mix it will cut into the fantasy value of each.

Posted: 9/6/2009 9:39pm et

ANG Newspapers reports Oakland Raiders head coach Tom Cable said he has a good idea of who his lead tailback will be during Week 1, but he is unlikely to announce it until later in the week after he has spoken with RBs Darren McFadden, Justin Fargas (undisclosed) and Michael Bush.

The Huddle Take: A couple of years ago the two headed running back tandem became all the rage. Now it seems that the latest fad is the three headed running back tandem (Tampa Bay, Oakland, Baltimore, New England, and possibly more). Regardless of who ends up the starter, the upside will be lower than fantasy owners would like unless an injury occurs to one, or one just dazzles in the regular season.

Posted: 9/3/2009 10:44am et

Jerry McDonald, of ANG Newspapers, reports Oakland Raiders RB Justin Fargas will not play in the team's preseason finale. However, he will be ready for Week 1, according to head coach Tom Cable.

The Huddle Take: Fargas is firmly behind Darren McFadden and Michael Bush in the Oakland backfield, and his not playing in the preseason finale eliminates an opportunity for him to showcase his skills for a potential trade.

Posted: 8/24/2009 11:02am et

CBSSports.com reports Oakland Raiders RB Justin Fargas strained his hamstring during the team's preseason game Saturday, Aug. 22, and is questionable for the team's preseason game Saturday, Aug. 29.

The Huddle Take: Fargas is third in the pecking order—at least among fantasy owners—in the Oakland backfield, and this won't help him improve on that standing.