Fantasy Football Start or Sit Week 6: Tank Bigsby, Travis Etienne Jr.

Ryan OLeary

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Fantasy Football Start or Sit Week 6: Tank Bigsby, Travis Etienne Jr. image

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson fanned the flames on a potential changing of the guard at running back entering Week 6, clearly stating of starter Travis Etienne Jr.: “No, not at all. Travis is our guy.”

Fantasy football managers are taking Pederson’s comments with a grain of salt. 

Bigsby has been trending up in fantasy leagues. The former third-round pick out of Auburn is on an absolute tear. Over the past two games, he’s rushed for 192 yards and two touchdowns on just 20 carries, an absurd 9.6 yards per carry average. That’s not far off his league-leading average of 8.0 YPC on 34 total carries.

Etienne has been less efficient, with 231 yards and two touchdowns on 53 carries (4.4 average). The former first-round pick is also dealing with a nagging shoulder injury that’s capped his practice reps in back-to-back weeks.

How should fantasy managers approach the Jaguars backfield entering their Week 6 game against the Chicago Bears in London? Let’s break it down:

Fantasy Football Start or Sit Week 6: Tank Bigsby

Pederson told reporters that Etienne took a hard hit to his aching shoulder, and that’s why the team rode Bigsby’s monster second half to a 37-34 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 5.

After rushing for a tank-like 19-yard touchdown, Bigsby saw six carries in the fourth quarter, including three on Jacksonville’s game-sealing field goal drive.

It remains to be seen how much Bigsby will eat into Etienne’s typical workload, but at the very least this feels headed for a timeshare. Ed Williams of The Sporting News weighed in with this take:

“This is purely speculation at this point, but Bigsby just looks like the better runner on the Jaguars as Travis Etienne just doesn't look as powerful or efficient. They can still be a great "thunder and lightning" pair together, but Bigsby should start to see the majority of early down work. What should happen, and what will happen are two different things, though, so only time will tell.”

Bigsby is too hot to keep on the bench right now. If you snagged him, play him this week as a fringe RB2 or high-upside flex.

Verdict: Start him.

Fantasy Football Start or Sit Week 6: Travis Etienne Jr.

Typically in fantasy, you always start your studs, and if Etienne is on your roster, you drafted him as such. 

The shoulder injury is worrisome, especially coming off a game where he handled only six carries. One way the team could mitigate the injury is by using Bigsby more in the run game, while continuing to feature Etienne in the passing game. 

Etienne hit season highs against the Colts for targets (7), catches (6) and receiving yards (43). That trend could continue against Chicago, especially for a Jaguars offense that’s thin on pass catchers outside of rookie Brian Thomas Jr. and Christian Kirk.

Given he should still get his fair share of carries in this game, even with Bigsby more involved, Etienne feels like a safe play as an RB2, albeit a bit more dicey than usual.

Verdict: Start him.

More Jacksonville Jaguars news:

Jaguars predicted to put $18M per year wide receiver on trade block

Evan Engram injury updates: Latest on Jaguars tight end for Week 6 vs. Bears

NFL picks, predictions Week 6: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Chicago Bears

Ryan OLeary

Ryan OLeary Photo

Ryan O'Leary has spent his entire professional career in sports multimedia, working as journalist, editor, podcaster, and in live events as a content manager and show emcee. His career highlights include working as a podcast host and audio editor for USA TODAY Sports Media Group, where he led a series of NFL podcasts for the company’s top-performing NFL sites. A born and raised New Englander, Ryan’s career kicked-off in newspapers after graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in journalism. He developed an affinity for small-town youth, high school and college sports, while also realizing his childhood dream of covering the Patriots in multiple AFC Championship Games. Ryan enjoys kicking it with family and friends, beating his dad and brother in chess, and arguing with anyone crazy enough to insist that Tom Brady isn’t the GOAT.