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Andy's running back start 'em, sit 'em picks for fantasy football Week 9 lineups (2025). Read his expert RB start/sit advice for Rico Dowdle, Kareem Hunt, Travis Etienne Jr., others.
Welcome back, RotoBallers, to another edition of our weekend start 'em sit' em columns. Last weekend, we stayed hot as all three of our bust picks (Rico Dowdle, Rhamondre Stevenson, and Jacory Croskey-Merritt) fell way short of expectations, and our top boom pick, J.K. Dobbins, racked up 111 yards on the ground.
In this week's piece, we will spotlight two typically deep options that appear poised to be pushed into a starter's role this weekend.
In this weekly piece, we don't look at those must-start options because if you have them, you start them. Instead, we look at those mid-range RB2/flex options that are on the verge of start territory. Let's take a look at which running backs we should lock into our fantasy lineups and which ones are better off on our bench. Don't see the running back you're looking for? Be sure to check out more running back start 'em sit 'em content, and our Week 9 RB rankings on RotoBaller. Let's dive in!
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Week 9 Starts - Potential Fantasy Football Booms
Bam Knight - Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys
While Trey Benson (knee) is slowly approaching his return, for the time being, managers should expect Bam Knight to operate as the lead option in the Arizona backfield. In fact, the Cardinals released Michael Carter from the 53-man roster earlier this week. While he eventually re-signed with the practice squad, this transaction suggests that Knight will be the clear lead option in Week 9.
In each of his last three games, Knight has punched in two touchdowns and averaged a strong 10.4 PPR points per game. During this stretch, he tallied 3.5 YPC and logged at least 45% of the snaps in each of the last two. In the first game, Carter dominated the backfield, but Knight still found success with his limited opportunities.
With Carter trending downward and the passing down option, Emari Demercado (ankle) is dealing with an injury, Knight could be a three-down option throughout most of the evening.
Facing a Dallas defense that allowed 179 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns to the Broncos last weekend, Knight could be set up for a massive showing on Monday evening. Overall, the Cowboys have surrendered the third-most PPR points to opposing RBs this season.
Fire up Knight as your RB2 with confidence.
Bam Knight to Continue Leading Cardinals' Backfield in Week 9? https://t.co/r4XXLKaq9r
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) October 28, 2025
Kareem Hunt - Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills
Isiah Pacheco (knee) is week-to-week with a knee injury and is slated to sit out on Sunday when the Chiefs travel to Buffalo to face the Bills. This will allow the veteran, Kareem Hunt, to operate as the lead running back.
Since Week 6, Hunt has performed as the clear RB2 to Pacheco and logged at least 30% of the snaps in all but one game. During this stretch, Hunt also out-snapped Rooke Brashard Smith in all but one game as well. While Smith could maintain a role on passing downs and should see a slight increase in work, Hunt should be the primary beneficiary of Pacheco sitting out.
In Week 8, Hunt looked quite comfortable in his opportunities, tallying 40 yards and a score on nine carries and catching his lone target for two yards and his second touchdown.
While this contest against the high-powered Bills could end up being a shootout, which may benefit Smith from a game script perspective, Hunt should see nearly 15 carries in this contest and, more importantly, take all of the goal-line attempts. Facing a Buffalo defense that has allowed the sixth-most PPR points to opposing RBs should set up Hunt well to capitalize on his increase in carries.
Kareem Hunt Could See a Heavy Workload in Week 9 https://t.co/kiojlcBfL2
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) October 29, 2025
Travis Etienne Jr. - Jacksonville Jaguars at Las Vegas Raiders
Travis Etienne and the Jaguars are coming out of their bye week. Before his bye week, Etienne was trending in the wrong direction after his dominant start. During Weeks 1 through 4, Etienne averaged a stellar 16.6 PPR points per game and a 6.1 YPC mark. However, over his last three games, Etienne has averaged just 8.3 PPR points per game with an average of 3.8 YPC.
However, during this stretch, Etienne faced two defenses within the top 6 in PPR points allowed to opposing RBs and three within the top 11.
Coming out of his bye, Etienne will have a prime get-right matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders, who have allowed the 15th-most PPR points to opposing RBs. The Jaguars should have a positive game script in this match, which should allow Etienne to see ample rushing attempts in the second half.
Expect a major bounce-back from the Jaguars' lead RB this weekend. Etienne could even see an uptick in the passing game with Travis Hunter (knee) on the shelf.
Week 9 Concerns - Potential Fantasy Football Busts
David Montgomery - Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings
David Montgomery is also coming out of his Week 8 bye, but has a much tougher task facing the Minnesota Vikings. Through eight weeks, the Vikings have allowed the 12th-fewest PPR points to opposing RBs. More importantly, Montgomery has not been given his typical workload and has fallen to the clear No. 2 role behind Jahmyr Gibbs.
Since Week 1, Montgomery has only logged more than 45% of the snaps in one game and has fallen below the 40% snap mark in all but two. He has only eclipsed double-digit PPR point marks three times, and those matchups were against defenses within the top-7 in terms of the most PPR points allowed to the position.
Given his tough matchup against Minnesota, Montgomery is a touchdown-dependent FLEX option.
Rico Dowdle - Carolina Panthers at Green Bay Packers
This might be an unpopular option. Even though the coaching staff all but named Dowdle the RB1 earlier this week, I would take caution in starting him against a potent Green Bay rushing defense. This week, head coach Dave Canales strongly suggested he will "ditch the shared carries approach and ride the hot hand and feet of Dowdle," per Joseph Person of The Athletic.
Rico Dowdle Will "Start and Get the Bulk of the Carries" in Week 9https://t.co/ctzD50xFCK
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) October 31, 2025
Ever since Chuba Hubbard returned from his minor calf injury, Dowdle has looked like the far more explosive back in Carolina. In the two games in which Hubbard missed, Dowdle averaged an incredible 194.5 rushing yards per game with 33.1 PPR points per game. However, in Weeks 7 and 8, with Hubbard back in action, Dowdle saw just 12.5 attempts per game and tallied 8.0 PPR points per game.
While his workload is expected to increase, do not expect another 25.0+ PPR point masterclass from Dowdle this weekend. The Packers enter Week 9 allowing the third-fewest PPR points to opposing RBs this season. He is a borderline FLEX play this week with massive bust risk.
Nick Chubb - Houston Texans vs. Denver Broncos
The final RB who could disappoint this week is Nick Chubb of the Houston Texans. Chubb has been a reliable FLEX option throughout most of the first half of the season. While he has begun to cede passing to Woody Marks, he has remained the primary early-down option in the Houston offense.
Through eight weeks (seven games), Chubb has posted a solid 4.0 YPC, which is a nice increase compared to the career-low 3.3 YPC he held last season in Cleveland. However, like Montgomery, Chubb relies on touchdowns for most of his fantasy production, given his minimal role as a pass catcher, which may not bode well against a tough Denver defense.
The Broncos are allowing the 10th-fewest PPR points to opposing RBs, which makes Chubb a high-risk, touchdown-dependent FLEX play. In addition, Marks also carries high risk in this matchup, but could still find a path to success if the Texans are playing from behind and need to move the ball downfield through the air.
Given the high probability that the Texans will be playing from behind, they will likely pivot to Marks in this game and move away from their early-down grinder.
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