Running back is one of the most volatile positions in fantasy football. Truly elite RBs, or run-of-the-mill backs with a particularly good matchup, can put up some of the biggest point totals of the week for your team, but they’re also the most likely player to get injured or end up on IR. You only get to pick two to three of them per week, depending on your league, so making the right call here is a big decision.
If you’re fretting over who the top running backs to start for Week 2 are, or which players should be riding your bench this week, here’s our fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em Week 2, 2026 running backs guide to help you get an edge in your league this week.
Interested in a TV plan that lets you access live sports like NFL football, and only live sports and includes ESPN unlimited at no extra cost? Check out MySports™ Genre Pack™ today, for free.
Start ‘Em/Sit ‘Em Week 2, 2026 – Running Backs
So, who should you absolutely slot into your lineup for Week 2, and who’s better of left on your bench? Let’s take a look. We’ll be focusing mostly on players who you may be on the fence about, rather than established must-start players like Bijan Robinson or Jahmyr Gibbs.
Running Back Start of the Week
D’Andre Swift: Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings
Kickoff: Sunday, September 20 at 1 p.m. ET
Swift turned 18 carries into 124 out of Chicago’s 291 rushing yards and notched three touchdowns in the Bears’ season-opening victory. Kyle Monangai also saw significant usage, but Swift remained the clear top option in scoring situations. Chicago’s solid offensive line and high-scoring attack should continue generating favorable rushing lanes and multiple red-zone opportunities, and Swift is primed to reap the benefits.
Running Backs to Start in Week 2
Chuba Hubbard: Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons
Kickoff: Sunday, September 20 at 1 p.m. ET
Hubbard played nearly three quarters of Carolina’s offensive snaps in Week 1 and handled all of the team’s goal-line work. He scored once on the ground and once through the air, showing that his fantasy value is not entirely dependent on Carolina establishing a positive game script. His control of the high-value touches confirms his lead-back status and makes him a dependable RB2 against Atlanta.
Cam Skattebo: New York Giants at Los Angeles Rams
Kickoff: Monday, September 21 at 8:15 p.m. ET
Skattebo’s brutal, season-ending ankle injury last year cast a cloud over his return, but he rushed for 81 yards and a touchdown as the Giants generated 165 yards on the ground in their season opener against Dallas. New York’s physical approach, led by Skattebo and QB Jaxson Dart, helped control possession and took pressure off Jaxson Dart, giving the team a strong incentive to retain a run-heavy identity. Skattebo’s early-down and goal-line involvement provides a solid fantasy foundation against a Rams front that will be without Myles Garrett.
Other RBs to start in Week 2:
- Bhayshul Tuten, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots
- David Montgomery, Houston Texans
Running Back Sit of the Week
Quinshon Judkins: Cleveland Browns at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kickoff: Sunday, September 20 at 1 p.m. ET
Judkins averaged only 2.8 yards per carry as Cleveland fell into a 31-0 deficit before scoring late in its Week 1 loss. The Browns’ offensive line struggled to create space, while five sacks and multiple turnovers prevented the offense from establishing a consistent attack of any kind. Cleveland enters Week 2 as a significant road underdog, raising the risk that Judkins will once again fall victim to an unfavorable game script.
Running Backs to Sit in Week 2
Tony Pollard: Tennessee Titans vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Kickoff: Sunday, September 20 at 1 p.m. ET
Pollard saw just eight touches as Tennessee played from behind against the Jets. The Titans abandoned the running game before he could make any impact, and another negative game script against Philadelphia creates the same concern. Plus, Tyjae Spears has seen significant passing-down involvement, which erodes Pollard’s floor even further.
MarShawn Lloyd: Green Bay Packers at New York Jets
Kickoff: Sunday, September 20 at 1 p.m. ET
Taking over the RB1 job with Josh Jacobs on the Commissioner’s exempt list, Lloyd led Green Bay with 13 carries in Week 1 but managed to notch just 37 yards for his efforts. He wasn’t targeted in the passing game at all, and Chris Brooks played more offensive snaps, suggesting Green Bay may be taking a time share approach. That uncertainty around Lloyd’s workload makes it difficult to start him against a Jets defense that smothered Tennessee and controlled possession for more than 38 minutes in Week 1
Other RBs to sit in Week 2:
- Travis Etienne, New Orleans Saints
- Jonathan Brooks, Carolina Panthers
- Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers
Looking for complete fantasy football rankings for other positions each week, too? Check out our full fantasy football rankings guide.
Watch NFL Football on DIRECTV
You can see all of these running backs and the rest of the players on your fantasy roster rack up points all season long on by watching NFL games every week on DIRECTV.
Frequently asked questions
How do you decide which RB to start in fantasy football?
DIRECTV Insider brings you our views on what’s happening in streaming, t.v., movies and sports. Companies and persons mentioned are not necessarily associated with and do not necessarily endorse DIRECTV. We will disclose sponsored content on our site when we show it to you, and some of the links on the site may be ads or affiliate links which means DIRECTV may earn compensation from your purchases.
