David Montgomery has been one of the best running backs in fantasy, with a massive workload that features 94 carries through a little over four healthy games. However, Montgomery left Sunday’s matchup with the Bucs with a rib injury, and according to Dan Campbell, Montgomery will miss “a little bit” of time as he recovers.
With Montgomery’s timetable unknown, Jahmyr Gibbs still not practicing, and many starting running backs on the bye or hurt, Craig Reynolds can be a top streamer off the fantasy Week 7 waiver wire.
WHO IS CRAIG REYNOLDS?
Reynolds is cut from the Dan Campbell cloth, and after making the squad at the end of last year’s preseason, Campbell called him “everything we represent.”
In Week 6, Reynolds delivered the block of the year, coming out of nowhere to level a defender and clear the way for an Amon-Ra St. Brown touchdown.
“It was outstanding,” Campbell said. You talk about a guy who plays for the guys around him and does things right. He shows up in critical times when not everybody sees him. Honestly, he does stuff like that all the time. That was just huge.”
After the block, Reynolds secured a 28-yard catch on third down to keep a drive moving. Although he only rushed for 15 yards on 10 carries, he stepped in for Montgomery and helped the team win the game without its top two running backs.
Although Reynolds is built similarly to Montgomery, the two are not in the same stratosphere running the football. However, he’s a solid pass-catcher and can get the job done. In limited action last year, Reynolds had nine catches on ten targets, highlighted by a game where he totaled 92 yards on nine touches against the Patriots. He also impressed in Week 5 of this year when he rushed for 52 yards on seven carries against the Panthers.
CRAIG REYNOLDS’ WEEK 7 FANTASY OUTLOOK
With Montgomery definitely out of the lineup and Gibbs missing the last two games due to injury, Reynolds could get the lion’s share of touches. Even if Gibbs returns, the Lions have been reluctant to give him a full workload and Reynolds could still be a viable streamer for those hurting at the running back spot until further notice.
Montgomery has had 21, 16, 32, and 19 carries, along with nine targets out of the backfield in his four healthy games this season. That’s a significant run percentage behind Pro Football Focus’ second-ranked offensive line.
Should we expect Reynolds to get a Montgomery-esque workload? No. But, he could get 10-15 touches against a defense that allows just under 100 yards rushing per game.
The Wolf currently ranks Reynolds as a high-end RB3/ Flex option at RB27 on his Week 7 Fantasy Rankings.
