We have listed five running backs you must have in your fantasy football starting lineup for NFL Week 9, including a replacement for Giants rookie Cam Skattebo
13:27 ET, 29 Oct 2025
New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr rushes against the Philadelphia Eagles after Cam Skattebo left the game due to injury
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Tyrone Tracy Jr began the season as the Giants' starter, but was replaced by Cam Skattebo(Image: Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Running backs dominated the fantasy football scoring leaderboard in Week 8.
Colts RB Jonathan Taylor (37.4 FPTS), Bills RB James Cook (33.6), and Eagles RB Saquon Barkley (33.4) all ran wild and found the end zone multiple times to finish as the three top scorers across all of fantasy.
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Last week, I mentioned New York Jets running back Breece Hall (32.86) and Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown (25.5) as must-starts, and both recorded huge hauls for season-high fantasy scoring days.
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Ahead of Week 9, we have compiled a list of five running backs you must have in your fantasy starting lineup.
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Tyrone Tracy Jr (vs San Francisco 49ers)
Tracy will be a hot commodity in fantasy this week and going forward due to Cam Skattebo’s season-ending ankle injury suffered in Week 8.
Tracy began the season as the Giants lead back, and returns to that role ahead of Week 9 against a 49ers defense without All-Pro defenders Nick Bosa and Fred Warner.
San Francisco has allowed at least 15+ FPTS to opposing RB1s in each of the last five weeks.
D’Andre Swift (at Cincinnati Bengals)
Along with the Dallas Cowboys, the Bengals are at the bottom of the barrel when it comes to NFL defenses in 2025.
Swift has had a strong season in Chicago, currently ranking as RB11 in PPR scoring, and should be an auto-start due to his Week 9 matchup.
Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift rushes with the ball against the Baltimore Ravens
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D'Andre Swift has found the end zone in five of seven games this year(Image: Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
The Bengals have allowed at least 15+ FPTS to 10 different running backs through eight weeks this season.
Bam Knight (at Dallas Cowboys)
This could be the last week Knight has fantasy value, with Trey Benson eligible to come off injured reserve in Week 10.
The good thing for the Cardinals running back is he faces the Cowboys on Monday night, who have allowed big numbers to all positions all season, including RBs.
Arizona’s offense isn’t exactly elite, but any starting running back facing Dallas at this point should be in your lineup.
Zach Charbonnet (at Washington Commanders)
Charbonnet looks to have taken the mantle from Kenneth Walker as Seattle’s preferred goal line back, for now.
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The third-year back outscored his counterpart in fantasy each of the last four weeks. Coming off a bye in Week 8, Charbonnet should be poised to maintain his role on Sunday night against the Commanders.
Rhamondre Stevenson (vs Atlanta Falcons)
Once considered an elite defense, the Falcons have faltered in recent weeks, most recently getting blown out at home against the one-win Dolphins. Over the last five weeks, only two teams have allowed more running back fantasy points per game than Atlanta.
Drake Maye has the Patriots offense rolling, and Stevenson should get red zone opportunities at home against Atlanta in Week 9.