It’s Thanksgiving week, and we have a lot to be thankful for. At the risk of sounding cliche, this article has been something I have been writing for almost five years now. I appreciate everyone who reads, and I hope that it has helped you get positioned to make the playoffs in your respective leagues. Writing this each week is something that has helped my own process, and I am fortunate to be able to share it with you.
This year, the Thanksgiving games might be the best trio since they went to a three-game schedule. I hope your day is filled with all the football and food you could ask for. Now, here are 10 backfields to monitor as we prepare to feast.
- Chicago Bears: Kyle Monangai out-touched D’Andre Swift 12-9 and scored on a short touchdown run. Ben Johnson seems intent on using both backs as he did in Detroit, which will make for some frustrating fantasy days.
- Cincinnati Bengals: Chase Brown had 100 yards rushing for the first time in 2025, but it looks like Samaje Perine will return Thursday night. Brown’s splits with Perine aren’t nearly as favorable, but with as good as the former has been, one has to wonder what the Bengals will do in desperation mode.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bucky Irving looks likely to return this week, with a favorable home matchup against Arizona. Tampa Bay doesn’t have much room for error, so it will be interesting to see what his touch share looks like. Sean Tucker and Rachaad White should both remain rostered as handcuffs.
- Los Angeles Chargers: Los Angeles had a bye, but they opened Omarion Hampton‘s 21-day practice window today. He would be a boost to playoff teams when activated.
- Kansas City Chiefs: Kansas City gave Kareem Hunt 33 touches, and he responded with 130 total yards and a touchdown. Isiah Pacheco should be back on Thursday, and the Chiefs signed Dameon Pierce over the weekend. I don’t know if any of them are worth starting, but maybe someone emerges down the stretch.
- New York Giants: Tyrone Tracy Jr. has one of the best touch shares in football right now, finishing with 23 touches for 130 total yards. In PPR leagues, he is firmly in play as an RB2. It shouldn’t matter much who is at quarterback for the Giants, either.
- Green Bay Packers: With Josh Jacobs sidelined by a bruised knee, the Packers handed the reins of the ground game to Emanuel Wilson. He carried the ball 28 times for 107 yards and scored twice, adding two receptions for 18 yards. While Jacobs is expected to return for the Thanksgiving game, the Packers believe Wilson is more than capable of being a true lead back when needed.
- Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty got popped on the Raiders’ last drive and didn’t return. It was probably precautionary but worth monitoring. Raheem Mostert would be the handcuff there.
- New Orleans Saints: Alvin Kamara will likely miss time with a knee injury, putting Devin Neal in play as a potential pickup. Taysom Hill should also benefit from this. If you are looking for a tight end, he is worth a look this week. Hill had 10 touches on Sunday.
- Pittsburgh Steelers: Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell had a soft matchup with Chicago and were responsible for most of Pittsburgh’s offense, combining for 190 total yards from scrimmage. Warren is still leading the backfield in touches, but Gainwell is getting the passing game work and is a PPR Flex play.
Fantasy Football Running Back Handcuff Rankings
Tier 1: Roster Everywhere
- David Montgomery (RB – DET)
- Emanuel Wilson (RB – GB)
- Sean Tucker (RB – TB)
- Blake Corum (RB – LAR)
- Zach Charbonnet (RB – SEA)
- Tyler Allgeier (RB – ATL)
- Kyle Monangai (RB – CHI)
- Kenneth Gainwell (RB – PIT)
- Devin Neal (RB – NO)
- Bhayshul Tuten (RB – JAX)
- Jordan Mason (RB – MIN)
- Brian Robinson Jr. (RB – SF)
Only Tier 1 this week — Devin Neal jumps into the top 10 due to Alvin Kamara‘s injury.
Thursday Night Football Handcuff Stash
With so many games of premier teams, most of the top handcuffs are probably rostered (including Kareem Hunt). In order, I would look at the following: Samaje Perine, Keaton Mitchell, Jaydon Blue.
Subscribe: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Castbox | Amazon Music | Podcast Addict | TuneIn
Jason Kamlowsky is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Jason, check out his archive and follow him on Twitter @JasonKamlowsky.
