Redskins backfield is blurry
Washington's Ryan Torain (46) gives a stiff arm to Giants cornerback Aaron Ross during the first quarter. (Jan. 2, 2011) Credit: AP
In Sunday's column I mentioned to sell high on the Redskins' Tim Hightower if he has a good game. One of the reasons is because he's not a special running back and with Mike Shanahan as coach, the running back picture can change quickly.
It has already shifted. Shanahan said after the game that Hightower didn't look like himself in practice, yet he wasn't on the injury report. Then he revealed Hightower hurt his shoulder on the third play of the game against the Rams Sunday, but didn't say how serious.
Ryan Torain didn’t have a carry the first three weeks of the season and had a big game against the Rams. Torain had 19 carries for 135 yards and he was very good last season.
The issue with Torain is health. He never stays healthy for a long period of time. Shanahan likes to change his running backs routinely and with Hightower banged up, Torain will see an increase in carries and Roy Helu will be in the mix, too.
The Redskins have a bye in Week 5 before getting easy matchups against the run with Philadelphia and Carolina. This situation is a headache for fantasy owners. It will be a guessing game and likely be a scenario where the hot hand gets most of the touches.
Torain is on the waiver wire in many leagues and with bye weeks and lack of depth and appealing free agent options, I’d still add him.
