# Four running backs to bench in fantasy football Week 2

> Usage splits and tough matchups make these backfield players risky starts after opening week.
- Title: Four running backs to bench in fantasy football Week 2
- Summary: Usage splits and tough matchups make these backfield players risky starts after opening week. Don't overreact to Week 1, but avoid running backs in split…
- Keywords: fantasy football, week 2, running backs, jeremiyah love, marshawn lloyd, aaron jones, jonathon brooks, arizona cardinals, green bay packers, minnesota vikings, carolina panthers, start em sit em
- Source: Fantasy Sports On SI — https://si.com/onsi/fantasy/start-em-sit-em/jeremiyah-love-and-marshawn-lloyd-headline-our-fantasy-football-running-back-sits-for-week-2
- Published: 2026-09-15T20:04:21+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: fantasy football, week 2, running backs, jeremiyah love, marshawn lloyd, aaron jones, jonathon brooks, arizona cardinals, green bay packers, minnesota vikings, carolina panthers, start em sit em
## Don't overreact to Week 1
Week 2 requires balancing what happened in the opener with avoiding knee-jerk reactions to a tiny sample size.
## Jeremiyah Love faces two problems
Both his usage and matchup are concerning. Tyler Allgeier dominated snaps 59% to 43% in Week 1.
## Love still shaking off injury
Allgeier had 17 carries while Love had 11. Part of that could be Love knocking rust off from an ankle injury.
## Seattle defense too tough
Even if Love's usage improves, starting a Cardinals running back in a split backfield against the Seahawks is risky.
## MarShawn Lloyd was overvalued
Chris Brooks played 56% of snaps to Lloyd's 44%. Brooks also averaged 4.1 yards per carry versus Lloyd's 2.8.
## Lloyd's efficiency concerns persist
Lloyd has averaged 2.5 yards per carry in his career while Brooks has averaged 4.8. There's no evidence Lloyd is better.

> We continue to have no evidence that Lloyd is better than Brooks or good at all.
## Aaron Jones is unstartable now
Jones split snaps evenly with Jordan Mason despite Mason's thumb injury. He managed just 12 carries and one target with no catches.
## Jones offers no passing game value
Mason averaged 3.9 yards per carry to Jones's 3.3. Jones is now only a desperation flex option at best.
## Jonathon Brooks barely played
Brooks was on the field for just 19% of snaps. Without a 48-yard reception, his four carries for 14 yards would have been disastrous.
## Chuba Hubbard dominated touches
Hubbard had 10 carries for 49 yards and a touchdown plus three catches for 38 yards. Brooks can't be started even against the Falcons.
## Key takeaway

Don't overreact to Week 1, but avoid running backs in split backfields facing tough defenses or showing poor efficiency.