The New Orleans Saints placed starting running back Mark Ingram on injured reserve Wednesday with a season-ending shoulder injury, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, which means the door is wide-open for a new lead dog to emerge in head coach Sean Payton’s backfield.
However, neither C.J. Spiller nor Tim Hightower has emerged as a consistent rotational runner so far this season. So with question marks abounding, here’s a look at how both players should be valued entering the Saints’ Week 14 showdown with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
C.J. Spiller
At first glance, Spiller would appear to be the top waiver-wire addition. After all, he’s an explosive talent with a track record of creating open-field magic.
That said, the Saints have shied away from using Spiller time and again throughout the season. And despite boasting a slightly heavier workload than Hightower, per Pro Football Focus’ Mike Clay, Spiller simply can’t be counted on.
“Spiller has barely played for the Saints, and not just because Ingram was in his way,” ESPN.com’s Mike Triplett wrote. “The Saints could have used Spiller a lot more already, but his snaps have decreased as the season goes on. Spiller played only five snaps in last week’s 41-38 loss to the [Carolina] Panthers and has just four touches the past two weeks.”
Spiller has handled more than five carries in a game once all season, and the only time he’s been remotely valuable is when receptions have buoyed his production. For instance, Spiller was limited to two carries for 10 yards against the Dallas Cowboys, but five catches for 99 yards and a score ultimately stabilized his final line.
At this rate, Spiller has to be added by playoff teams competing for fantasy titles simply based on his physical skill set. However, he can’t be counted on to produce in any sort of starting capacity until there’s some progression to the mean.
Consider Spiller a boom-or-bust bench stash and not much more for the time being.
Tim Hightower
Following a three-year absence from the NFL gridiron, Hightower is back on the fantasy radar.
While it would be easy to discount the 29-year-old’s capabilities based on his limited production (12 carries for 48 yards) since arriving in New Orleans, he’s been presented with a golden opportunity to save fantasy seasons.
Not only does history suggest Hightower is a more solid between-the-tackles runner than Spiller, but his 6’0”, 226-pound frame makes him an ideal candidate to vulture goal-line carries in the weeks ahead, as Yahoo Sports’ Brad Evans noted:
The Saints could easily opt for more of a timeshare with Ingram out of the picture, but Hightower’s still the more attractive option under that scenario thanks to his red-zone prospects.
Like Spiller, Hightower deserves a speculative add by owners chasing fantasy championships. However, caution should be exercised before inserting him into lineups.
Read more Fantasy Football news on NerdyFootball.com
Football
NFL
NFC South
New Orleans Saints
Fantasy Football
Fantasy
