Fantasy Football Week 1 RB Start/Sit Decisions: 3 to Start, 3 to Sit

Let's continue discussing trending fantasy football start/sit decisions by going over the running back position!

We'll give you three backs to start and three to possibly sit in Week 1. You can find my top-30 fantasy RB rankings from earlier this week on FantasySP as well! Let's get right to it!

Weekly projections for running backs can be found on FantasySP all season! Use the start/sit tool for your own fantasy lineup decisions!

Start

Jeremiyah Love - Arizona Cardinals

Love has been nursing an ankle injury the past few weeks, but hopes to play in Week 1 against the Chargers. If he's active, I like starting him in Week 1.

It's a bit worrisome that he's dealing with an injury, and isn't even listed atop the Cardinals depth chart at RB. If he plays though, I think Love will get enough touches to be worth playing in Week 1, and you drafted him high, so you need to roll with him - some might not have a choice.

Los Angeles was a tough matchup for running backs last season, but I believe enough in the rookie back to deliver if he can get on the field. He might be a better flex-level option in standard leagues, but if you aren't stacked with running backs, I think he's worth starting in Week 1.

Bhayshul Tuten - Jacksonville Jaguars

Tuten opens his season taking on the Browns in Week 1. That was an average matchup based on last year's numbers.

Tuten is expected to lead the Jacksonville backfield in 2026. He might lose some touches and production to Chris Rodriguez, but I see Tuten being a good fantasy asset as long as the Jaguars' offense is even average.

Tuten might be a better flex-level option as well this week, but he's one to trust in this matchup, and given his overall outlook. Only fantasy teams with stacked rosters should be benching Tuten in Week 1.

Rico Dowdle - Pittsburgh Steelers

Dowdle plays his first game with the Steelers against the Falcons. Atlanta was a slightly above-average matchup a year ago, so I like Dowdle's outlook for Week 1.

He is splitting the Pittsburgh backfield with Jaylen Warren, but I think both backs get enough work to be worthwhile fantasy assets this week. I actually think Warren and Dowdle are worth starts in almost all leagues this week.

Dowdle might be a better flex-level option, but unless you are stacked with RBs, I think he should be starting in Week 1. He definitely needs to be starting in deeper leagues.

Sit

Tony Pollard - Tennessee Titans

Pollard opens his season against the Jets, who were the most favorable fantasy matchup a back could have a season ago. You might be wondering why Pollard is listed as a sit then - let me explain.

Pollard has been the team's lead back over the past couple years, but Tyjae Spears is around too, and the Titans are going to get him some work each week too. Tennessee also has rookie Nicholas Singleton and Julius Chestnut on the roster, and one, or both, of those guys could also factor in some.

I also just simply don't trust the Titans' offense early on, so even in a stellar matchup based on last year's numbers, I'm skeptical of trying Pollard this week. I see him as a better deep-league starting option, and a low-end flex option in standard leagues.

MarShawn Lloyd - Green Bay Packers

Lloyd is set to play a bigger role for the Packers early on as Josh Jacobs is still dealing with his legal troubles. The Packers are expected to go with a committee early on though, also utilizing Chris Brooks and/or Kaleb Johnson.

The matchup against the Vikings is also a below-average one based on last year, and I'd expect Minnesota to shut down the running game well, even if they try to take away the Packers' passing game first.

Lloyd is a flex-level option for Week 1, but I think you can do better in standard leagues, and even some deeper leagues. Once we see how the Packers' backfield shakes out, we can better assess the committee, but for Week 1, I'd try to avoid the GB backs.

Chuba Hubbard - Carolina Panthers

Hubbard is set to face the Bears in Week 1. That was a pretty average fantasy test based on last year's numbers.

Hubbard is expected to be part of the Carolina backfield, but with Jonathon Brooks around and expected to play, it could be a pretty even split. Chicago is expected to win, so that makes the Panthers' backs ones to be a bit worried about in Week 1.

Hubbard is a flex-level option in standard leagues this week, but I prefer him more in deeper leagues. I think you can do better in standard leagues.