Bam Knight Fantasy Sleeper: Allgeier Lose Touches?

Cardinals News: Bam Knight Could Get More Carries

Arizona Cardinals running back Tyler Allgeier is set to share the backfield with Bam Knight again Sunday against the Denver Broncos after Jeremiyah Love was ruled out for a second straight week with an ankle injury.

Head coach Mike LaFleur announced Friday that Love will sit, and the Cardinals listed him as out on their final injury report. Love did not practice all week. The team’s official site reported that Allgeier and Knight will again handle the backfield work, as they did in last week’s 18-16 win over the Los Angeles Rams.

That game raised questions about how to divide the carries. Allgeier led the backfield with 18 carries and played 56 percent of the offensive snaps, but he gained just 38 yards, averaging 2.1 yards per carry. He added one catch for 10 yards on two targets.

Knight was far more productive. He rushed 15 times for 80 yards, including a 31-yard run, and caught both of his targets for 18 yards. The Cardinals finished with a season-high 120 rushing yards, and Knight now has 112 yards on 18 carries this season, an average of 6.2 per attempt.

Allgeier signed a two-year, $12.25 million contract with Arizona in March after leaving the Atlanta Falcons. He has struggled for efficiency this season, totaling 53 carries for 157 yards and one touchdown through six games, an average of 3.0 yards per carry. He has added 13 catches for 54 yards.

The matchup offers both backs a chance to bounce back. Denver has allowed 139.8 rushing yards per game, second-most in the league, and has given up the sixth-most fantasy points to running backs. The Broncos are 4-2 despite those struggles against the run.

Arizona will also be without guard Jon Gaines II, defensive lineman Walter Nolen III and safety Andrew Wingard. Safety Budda Baker, quarterback Carson Beck, cornerback Max Melton and defensive lineman Darius Robinson are questionable. Evan Hull is expected to be elevated from the practice squad again Saturday to provide running back depth.

The Cardinals enter the game at 2-4. James Conner remains on injured reserve with a foot injury, leaving Allgeier, Knight and Hull as the available backs.

Fantasy Impact

Tyler Allgeier fantasy managers should view him as a flex option in deeper PPR leagues this week, with Denver’s soft run defense providing his best path to a useful game. His floor is shaky, though, because Knight’s efficiency against the Rams could push the work closer to an even split. Bam Knight is the more appealing play of the two for managers willing to chase upside, and he profiles as a flex option in 12-team PPR leagues. If Allgeier struggles early again Sunday, Knight could take over a larger share of the carries, and Love’s eventual return would leave Allgeier with little standalone value.

Bam Knight has DFS upside.