Fantasy Football Week 17 Running Back Who Should I Start? TreVeyon Henderson, Rhamondre Stevenson, Kenneth Gainwell, and More

Rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson suffered a concussion last week and has been questionable all week in his attempt to return.

Henderson reportedly cleared concussion protocol and is expected to play, giving fantasy owners a huge last-minute dilemma. As a result, Henderson has been showing up all over our FantasySP start/sit tool, as owners make possible championship-deciding decisions.

Let's look at Henderson and four running backs who he has been matched up with often on the start/sit tool. We'll do a head-to-head quick-hit exercise to determine the best starter in each situation. Most stats are from NFL.com.

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TreVeyon Henderson, New England Patriots @ New York Jets

Henderson had double-digit carries in seven straight games before getting injured against the Ravens last week. He reached at least 55 rushing yards in each of those games and averaged 88.6.

He is good in the passing game as well, catching 18 passes for 113 yards during that stretch. Henderson is the type of back that can play on any down in any situation.

The Jets are right in the middle in yards per rush attempt allowed, but they have given up the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs. That's partly a function of volume, as New York had faced the third-most rush attempts entering Week 17.

Teams get up on the Jets and pound the football; it's not a surprise for a 3-12 team with the league's third-worst point differential. New York has allowed close to 135 total yards per game and 23 total touchdowns to RB groups this season.

Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots @ New York Jets

Let's start with Henderson's teammate who would have been in line for starting work if the rookie was out. Stevenson is fine, but he has worked in the RB2 role behind Henderson since returning from injury about a month ago.

With Henderson a little banged up, there's a chance the team splits the work more or even leans toward Stevenson. There's a good chance that New England dominates this game, and if that's the case, it would make sense to see Henderson's workload limited given his recent head injury.

Advice: Start TreVeyon Henderson over Rhamondre Stevenson. There is some question as to how much Henderson will do, but I still trust him to get more touches when the game is competitive, and his receiving work gives him a boost. Risk-averse owners might avoid this situation altogether if they can.

Kenneth Gainwell, Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cleveland Browns

Though he is second behind Jaylen Warren in the RB pecking order, Gainwell has still gotten plenty of work this season and found success in both the running and passing game. Gainwell has 911 total yards (60.7 per game) and seven touchdowns.

The Browns have allowed the eighth-fewest yards per rush attempt, though they sit in the middle in fantasy points allowed to running backs. Like the Jets, Cleveland has seen a high rushing volume as teams beat them, so fantasy points have added up.

Advice: Start TreVeyon Henderson over Kenneth Gainwell. Though Gainwell has a decent outlook, there's also a lower floor, and I like Henderson's upside and matchup better.

Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Miami Dolphins

Irving might be the most frustrating player in fantasy right now who isn't injured. In four games since returning from his injury absence, Irving has led the Bucs in rushing attempts and yards each game. He has also seen one of his backups score a touchdown in three of those games, while Irving has run in just one TD of his own (plus a receiving score).

Miami has given up the seventh-most yards per rush attempt and the 11th-most fantasy points per game to running backs. RB groups are gaining over 140 total yards per game with 11 touchdowns.

Advice: This is tough because Irving has mostly gotten the workload of a starter, but losing touches to both Rachaad White and Sean Tucker while also seeing Tucker get the goal line work brings his value down. By a slight margin, start TreVeyon Henderson over Bucky Irving.

Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants @ Las Vegas Raiders

Tracy has been the man in charge of the backfield since Cam Skattebo went down for the season in Week 8. Devin Singletary is still there in a backup role, but Tracy has led the team in rushing yards in all but two games since that time (including Jaxson Dart).

The Raiders have allowed the second-fewest yards per rush attempt but the ninth-most fantasy points per game to opposing backs. Volume plays a huge role again, as Vegas had faced the fourth-most rush attempts entering the week, but the Raiders have also given up 15 rushing touchdowns to RBs.

Advice: Start TreVeyon Henderson over Tyrone Tracy. Given that Vegas has been better against the run, there is a bit of a lower floor here for Tracy; I prefer Henderson's upside, though the included risk could push owners toward Tracy (or any other guy listed here).