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Kenneth Gainwell is a fantasy football waiver wire pickup option for running backs. Target him as a free agent add off waivers for Week 8 of the 2021 NFL season.
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ANALYSIS: Following the Week 7 injury to Philadelphia Eagles running back Miles Sanders (ankle), Kenneth Gainwell is set up to be one of the top waiver wire priorities for Week 8. Sanders was carted off the field this past week after suffering an ankle injury. The diagnosis has been better than we all initially thought as Sanders isn't expected to be sidelined long-term. Instead, he's being considered week-to-week. Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni stated on Monday that Sanders was unlikely to play in the team's upcoming Week 8 game against the Detroit Lions.
Gainwell has been the team's clear No. 2 back through the first two months of the season. The rookie has seen at least a 30% snap share in five of seven games this year and he saw a season-high 35 snaps (51%) in Week 7 after Sanders' injury. Meanwhile, the team's No 3. back, Boston Scott, had logged just four total snaps before Week 7.
Gainwell has flashed some potential both in the running game and in the passing game this year. In Week 7, he matched a season-high with eight targets and went on to catch four of them for 41 yards and a touchdown. He's averaging 8.6 yards per reception on 19 receptions this year while Sanders is averaging 6.2 yards per reception on the same amount of receptions. On the ground, Gainwell has carried the ball 26 times for 120 yards and two touchdowns, good for 4.6 yards per carry, only slightly below Sanders' 4.8.
The rookie fifth-round pick should be added by anyone who needs an RB2 or flex play this week. He'll be the Eagles' starting running back in a fantastic matchup against the Detroit Lions, who have allowed 120 rushing yards per game this year. A strong Week 8 performance could also allow Gainwell to carve out a more significant role once Sanders returns.
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