Devin Singletary played 81 percent of snaps, carried the ball 30 times for 150 yards, and found paydirt as the Houston Texans defeated the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday afternoon.
This is why I love fantasy football. A sentence like this would have people looking at you like a crazy person if you said this in August. But now, in November, it is our reality. Singletary played a workhorse role for the league’s hottest offense and dominated all four quarters of this football game.
Singletary was thrust into this role due to an ankle injury to fellow running back Dameon Pierce. With Pierce due to return shortly, what fantasy value does Singletary hold moving forward?
COMPETITION IN HOUSTON
Unfortunately for Singletary, his time as the sole option out of the Houston backfield is likely coming to a close.
Dameon Pierce, the Texans’ “top” back, has been sidelined for the last two contests due to an ankle injury. Singletary will take a sizeable hit to both his snap and opportunity share when he returns.
However, it’s worth noting that Pierce could not get on the practice field in any capacity last week. Practice reports from this week will be telling for his Week 11 availability, but his inability to practice last week puts his Week 11 status in question.
Regardless of Pierce’s health, Singletary has the opportunity to maintain a large role in this offense for the remainder of the season.
Prior to his ankle injury, Pierce was unimpressive at best.
Following a breakout during his rookie season, Pierce has not met expectations this season. Aside from not meeting his fantasy scoring expectations, Pierce averages a measly 3.0 yards per carry and has failed to reach 60 total yards in five of seven games this season.
Given Pierce’s inability to produce and Singletary’s recent success, this backfield should be closer to an even split down the stretch. If Singletary continues to impress, it would not be shocking at all if he becomes the “1a” in Houston.
OFFENSIVE ENVIRONMENT
In just nine starts, rookie quarterback CJ Stroud has completely changed how we view the Houston offense. The kid is just out there slinging it.
Not only has Stroud’s performance led the team to consecutive wins, but he’s also creating valuable fantasy assets. Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Dalton Schultz, Noah Brown, and Devin Singletary have now all delivered high-level fantasy production at some point this season thanks to Stroud.
The Texans have now scored over 30 points in two consecutive games and reached this mark four times this season. This offense can deliver plenty of fantasy points with Stroud at the helm.
While the passing attack may be the focal point of Houston’s offensive game plan, the effectiveness of the offense still helps Singletary. Sustained drives, trips to the red zone, and high-scoring affairs allow Singletary to find the endzone, handle plenty of carries, and pile up fantasy points.
It’s strange to say, but having a piece of the Houston offense is officially quite valuable in fantasy football.
REST OF SEASON EXPECTATIONS
Singletary’s 23.1 PPR points have him as the RB3 for the week. Barring a multi-touchdown game, this will likely be his best performance of the year.
Even if this is the ceiling, this doesn’t mean Singletary can’t provide value in the coming weeks. Over the next four weeks, Singletary has three premium matchups. Houston takes on Arizona, Denver, and the Jets, all of whom rank 26th or worse in fantasy points allowed to running backs.
When paired with the injury and struggles for Dameon Pierce, it’s very realistic for Singletary to deliver impactful performances against these weak rushing defenses.
Pierce’s health will be a significant factor in determining Singletary’s value. If Pierce cannot play or is limited, Singletary can be slotted in as an RB2 with these upcoming matchups. When Pierce returns, Singletary is still in flex consideration, depending on how touches are split between the two backs.
Singletary checks in at RB28 on The Wolf’s Rest of Season Rankings.
