Oct 19, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Brashard Smith (24) celebrates after a play during the third quarter of the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

It’s finally here. The bye-mageddon week of the fantasy football season. Six teams are out of action in Week 8: Arizona, Jacksonville, Detroit, Las Vegas, Seattle and the Los Angeles Rams.

Luckily, it is the only week of the season with six teams on a bye. That still doesn’t make it easier for fantasy football managers everywhere.

Running back is hit especially hard by these bye weeks. Detroit’s duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, Las Vegas’ Ashton Jeanty, Seattle’s Zach Charbonnet and Kenneth Walker III and Los Angeles’ Kyren Williams are some of the many stars on the bench this week.

Depth will be stressed more than ever at the position this week. If you’re hard-pressed to find the right options at running back in your lineup, we’ve got you covered.

For this week we’re reaching a little farther with our start and sit recommendations. For managers dealing with byes and injuries who are really scraping what they can from the waiver wire, we’ve got you covered.

Here are four running backs to start – and four to sit – for fantasy football in Week 8.

Fantasy football start 'em: Week 8 RBs

Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at New Orleans Saints)

White struggled in prime time in Week 7 against the Lions. Despite taking the leading role with 14 total touches on the night, he managed just 44 yards. That’s a far cry from what he did over the prior two weeks (152 total yards, three touchdowns combined).

He could get back on track this week against the Saints, even on the road. Bucky Irving is still out of the lineup, giving White the lead back role once again. Chicago ran all over New Orleans last week to the tune of 243 total yards and two touchdowns by the running back position.

White may not reach those highs but in a critical week, he should be able to pull through.

Jordan Mason, Minnesota Vikings (at Los Angeles Chargers)

It’s a short week for the Vikings after a tough loss to Philadelphia at home. They head west to take on the Chargers defense that couldn’t stop the Colts’ running game last week at home.

Mason didn’t have a ton of success yardage-wise in Week 7 (57 yards on 15 carries) but found the end zone for the fourth time this season. He could be in for another solid performance this week against Los Angeles.

The Chargers’ run defense started the year strong but has tailed off lately. Los Angeles has allowed 123 rushing yards per game and seven combined touchdowns to opposing running back groups over the last three weeks. Even if Aaron Jones is healthy for this contest, Mason should get enough carries to make him worth a start.

Brashard Smith, Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Washington Commanders)

This is one of those waiver wire picks we were alluding to earlier. Smith broke onto the scene last week against the Raiders as an exciting wrinkle for the Chiefs’ offense and tallied 81 total yards on 19 touches.

This week, the Chiefs face a Washington team in prime time without its franchise quarterback and a defense that’s struggled to stop opposing running backs in recent weeks, including through the air. The Commanders have allowed 177.5 yards per game and four total touchdowns to that position over the last four games.

Running backs involved in the passing game – like Smith – have found great success in that span. In a pinch, he could have some value for fantasy managers.

Kyle Monangai, Chicago Bears (at Baltimore Ravens)

Another rookie with a chance to help needy managers. Monangai burst onto the scene last week against New Orleans with 94 total yards and his first career touchdown on 15 touches. That may be tough to replicate exactly, but he could be in for another performance that’s worth starting in a pinch.

Leading up to its Week 7 bye, Baltimore’s defense had been particularly porous to opposing running backs, even those that aren’t heavily featured in their offenses. Houston’s running backs tallied 121 yards and a touchdown on the ground in Week 5; Los Angeles’ group hit 110 total yards and a touchdown, as well, in Week 6.

Monangai may not hit his point total from last week as touchdowns aren’t sticky week-to-week, but he could be useful for needy managers needing at least a few points from the position.

Fantasy football sit 'em: Week 8 RBs

Cam Skattebo, New York Giants (at Philadelphia Eagles)

In a needy week, it’s understandable if you need to keep Skattebo in your lineup. He’s been reliable in recent weeks as the lead running back for New York, but this matchup may be a tough one.

The rookie runner found great success against Philadelphia two weeks ago, but that was without Jalen Carter in the middle up front for the Eagles. His presence should have a big impact. A week after allowing 4.38 yards per carry to the Giants’ running backs in his absence, Philadelphia held Minnesota’s running backs to 3.21 yards per carry with him in the lineup.

Again, Skattebo may need to be a must-start given the circumstances at the position this week. Just don’t expect fireworks from the rising rookie.

Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots (vs. Cleveland Browns)

Stevenson was a start last week against the Tennessee Titans’ defense and he delivered. Eighty-eight yards on the ground and a touchdown made for a solid day’s work as he continues to be the lead back over TreVeyon Henderson.

Even if he’s the lead back again this week, don’t expect another double-digit point performance. Cleveland has allowed more than 100 yards rushing to an opposing team just once this year: Week 4 against Detroit. The Browns are allowing 88 total yards per game to opposing running back groups this season.

The Browns’ offense may struggle against New England’s defense but don’t expect the Cleveland defense to back down easily. This could be a tough game for the Patriots’ offense, Stevenson included.

Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans (at Indianapolis Colts)

This is the second time Pollard is facing the Colts’ defense this season. In their first matchup in Week 3 in Tennessee, Pollard found the end zone and had 59 total yards.

Since then, Indianapolis’ defense has allowed just two touchdowns to opposing running back groups over five games. He was more involved in the passing game in Week 7 than any other time this season, with six catches for 43 yards on six targets. His carries did take a hit, though, with a season-low six attempts for 18 yards.

Pollard is a tough start this week considering his opponent. If you’re stuck, don’t expect much.

Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Green Bay Packers)

Warren had an outstanding night on “Thursday Night Football” for the Steelers in Week 7. Even in the loss to the Bengals, Warren had a career-high 158 total yards on 20 touches.

He will have trouble topping that this week. Green Bay’s clamped down on opposing running backs in recent weeks. Since their Week 5 bye, the Packers are allowing 3.93 yards per touch to opposing running back groups and haven’t allowed a touchdown.

If he’s a must-start due to bye weeks, that’s understandable. But like the others here don’t expect much from him against a tough defense.

Fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em for Week 8

Looking for more fantasy football advice? USA TODAY Sports has you covered:

→ Need an edge under center? Here are the best quarterback options to start and to sit in Week 8.

→ The wide receiver position is one of the deepest each season. Set yourself up for success in Week 8 with start 'em, sit 'em advice for wideouts.

→ Tight ends can be the perfect X-factor for any fantasy team. Here's who you should start and sit in Week 8.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Start 'Em, Sit 'Em running backs for Week 8 fantasy football

Reporting by Ayrton Ostly, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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