Obviously, it’s time to waive him if he’s on your fantasy team. His usual backup, Ladell Betts, is also out for the season due to a knee injury. That leaves Rock Cartwright and Quinton Ganther as the team’s two healthy running backs.

Cartwright is currently the starter but don’t overlook Ganther. Last week against the New Orleans Saints he led the team in rushing. The Redskins may take a closer look at the 25-year-old since their playoff hopes are toast.

In dynasty fantasy football, it should be noted that Portis has started to talk retirement. If he struggles to return from his concussion, don’t be surprised if Portis decides to hang it up. Even though he’s only 28, he has taken a beating and his best days are almost definitely behind him.

Clinton Portis - Is His Career Over? (image: Zuma Press)

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Last week, Ladell Betts was the starter. However, after suffering a major knee injury early in the game against the Dallas Cowboys, Cartwright was handed the rock. He responded with 67 yards on 13 carries and 73 receiving yards on seven catches.

Eventually, Clinton Portis is expected to get the starting job back. Portis is currently sidelined following a concussion. In the meantime, Cartwright is a solid start. He’s short but he’s powerful and after playing well in his first extended action, Washington’s coaches likely have confidence in him.

If you need a fantasy football starter at running back for Week 12, starting Cartwright against the Philadelphia Eagles should give you some production. And if Portis has a setback, Cartwright could be a quality fantasy RB for the duration of the season.

Rock Cartwright - Washington Redskins (Image: Zuma Press)

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1. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
2. Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons
3. Matt Forte, Chicago Bears
4. Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles
5. DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers
6. Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans
7. LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers
8. Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants
9. Steve Slaton, Houston Texans
10. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars
11. Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins
12. Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers

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RB Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins
Clinton Portis has a lot of things going against him this weekend. First of all, he has to deal with a myriad of injuries that have slowed him in recent weeks. Equally as scary is the fact that he’s up against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 14. Considering both aspects, this would be a good week to look elsewhere for production.

WR Justin Gage, Tennessee Titans
Although Justin Gage have had some big games over the last six weeks, he’s not a very good start this weekend against the Cleveland Browns. Gage is going up against a defense that has played well the last two weeks and although his stats have been good, the number of targets haven’t been enough to expect production week in and week out.

TE Tony Scheffler, Denver Broncos
Although the Broncos have a good matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Broncos will likely be running a whole lot. When they do pass, they’ll probably go deep to a wide receiver. Combine those two possibilities and Tony Scheffler doesn’t seem like he’ll have a lot of chances to impact Week 14 of the 2008 fantasy football season.

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RB Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles
Westbrook hasn’t been able to play and is a game-time decision.

RB Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins
Once again this week, Portis will be a game-time decision due to a knee injury.

RB Reggie Bush, New Orleans Saints
Bush is listed as questionable and was able to practice on Saturday, but many expect the Saints to hold him out another week.

RB Jerious Norwood, Atlanta Falcons
Norwood is questionable. Look elsewhere for a starter.

QB Plaxico Burress, New York Giants
Burress is listed as questionable but is looking more likely than not to play.

WR Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons
Although listed as questionable, White practiced on Friday and very well could play.

WR Derrick Mason, Baltimore Ravens
Mason is listed as questionable but should play.

TE Kellen Winslow, Cleveland Browns
Winslow is listed as questionable. He’ll be a game-time decision.

K Jason Elam, Atlanta Falcons
Elam is listed as questionable and shouldn’t be trusted in Week 12.

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5. Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers
Although the Niners have had a difficult year, Frank Gore has had a bit of a bounce back season. Last year, he was a fantasy football disappointment but he’s been well worth his preseason draft positions in 2008. Down the stretch, Gore should be a very good option — especially if Shaun Hill can continue having success at quarterback.

4. Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons
Coming into the 2008 fantasy football season, it was difficult to figure where to put Michael Turner on the running back rankings. But after signing with the Falcons in the offseason, he’s made Atlanta look smart by being a very good running back. Against teams with weak run defenses, he’s especially deadly.

3. Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins
Clinton Portis was actually at the top of this list until recently when he got banged up. If he can get healthy, he’s going to get a lot of carries to end the season. If not, his fantasy owners may have to look elsewhere. However, filling his huge shoes will be close to impossible.

2. Thomas Jones, New York Jets
The true surprise of the 2008 running back rankings has to be Thomas Jones. He didn’t look too good last year in 2007 and many fantasy experts were wondering whether he could lose his starting job. Not only has Jones remained the starter, he’s been arguably the most explosive fantasy back in the NFL this season.

1. Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants
The Super Bowl champion Giants have the best fantasy running back at the moment. Jacobs is almost impossible to bring down in one-on-one situations and he has a nose for the endzone. As long as the Giants keep giving him the rock and as long as he stays healthy, he could very well be the best fantasy running back in 2008.

Photo: Newscom

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RB Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams
Steven Jackson’s situation is much clearer. Jackson will not being to play in Week 11. His thigh injury isn’t healing and the injury may be more severe than first diagnosed. In his place, the Rams will use Travis Minor and Antonio Pittman at running back. Since they will be splitting carries, neither one of them appears to be a good fantasy football start.

QB Chad Pennington, Miami Dolphins
If you were planning to start Chad Pennington this weekend, you probably got a bit worried when you saw his name show up on the injury report recently. Since he’s listed as probably, expect him to play. But if he doesn’t, Chad Henne will be the quarterback for the Dolphins.

QB Kyle Orton, Chicago Bears
When he first got injured, Kyle Orton was said to be out for at least a month with a high ankle sprain. But a further examination showed that Orton didn’t have a high ankle sprain. After missing one week, Orton appears ready to play this weekend in Week 11. Although you might want to wait a week before starting him to make sure that ankle is alright, he should be decent enough in an emergency role for your fantasy football team.

Photo credit: Newscom

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1. Adrian Peterson
After a great rookie season, AP is proving it wasn’t a fluke.

2. LaDainian Tomlinson
His career may be winding down LT has too much history to pass up.

3. Brian Westbrook
When healthy, Westbrook remains arguably the best fantasy RB.

4. Clinton Portis
He’s been great in 2008 and should be able to keep it up in 2009.

5. Matt Forte
Multidimensional Bears RB will be tough to overlook next season.

6. Brandon Jacobs
With the Giants looking like a powerhouse, Jacobs will retain value.

7. Marion Barber III
Even though not as explosive in 2008, he’s still a TD threat.

8. Frank Gore
Gore continues to prove he’s one of the most talented backs in NFL.

9. Michael Turner
Against poor defenses, Turner is money.

10. Chris Johnson
If LenDale wasn’t in the way, he’d be top five pick.

11. Steve Slaton
The Texans offense is getting better and Slaton is growing in value.

12. Tom Brady
Those 50 touchdowns won’t be easily forgotten.

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RB Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins
Not only has Clinton Portis been the best running back in fantasy football, he is going against the Detroit Lions this week. That combination makes Portis a fantastic start in Week 8. Over a hundred yards and at least on touchdown should be his minimum production.

WR Andre Johnson, Houston Texans
As of late, Andre Johnson has been on fire. The Cincinnati Bengals, his Week 8 opponent, won’t be able to do much to slow him down. Expect Johnson to get at least six catches and at least 90 yards receiving this week.

TE Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers
Playing in London against the New Orleans Saints, Antonio Gates is the best tight end for Week 8. He has overcome his early season injuries and has regained his footing as a top flight fantasy football tight end.

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Plaxico Burress, New York Giants
Many worried about Plaxico Burress and his leg injuries heading into the 2008 season. However, in the first game of the season, Burress proved he’s feeling good. He finished the game with 10 catches for 133 yards.

Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants
Getting a bit over two-thirds of the carries for the Giants, Brandon Jacobs looked really good. He was powerful and showed very good burst. If he stays healthy, he could have a big year. Jacobs finished the game with 21 carries for 116 yards.

Eli Manning, New York Giants
Although he started off on fire, Eli Manning really cooled down as the game went along. Although he was passing the ball well to Burress, the rest of his passes looked a bit off. Manning didn’t have a passing touchdown but he was able to score a rushing touchdown.

Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins
Although he didn’t have a hugely productive game, Portis was very involved for the Redskins. If you have Portis on your team, you know that he will get a lot of touches each and every game. Portis finished the game with 84 rushing yards.

Antwaan Randle El, Washington Redskins
Antwaan Randle El didn’t have much fantasy football love heading into the season but his performance in the first game may turn a few heads. Playing in a new offense, Randle El had seven catches for 73 yards. If he keeps it up, he could become a fantasy option soon.

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