Darren McFadden got his chance to shine for the Cowboys last week, rushing 29 times for 152 yards and a touchdown, while also catching two passes for 10 yards. McFadden’s increased usage came after Joseph Randle bowed out of the game with a strained oblique.

McFadden has been named Dallas’ Week 8 starter, but fantasy owners shouldn’t be fooled by the 29 totes. McFadden is a fragile player, and he will be spelled more than that with a full week to prepare. Randle is listed as day-to-day, but even if he plays, oblique injuries have a tendency to linger, which opens the door for Christine Michael to get some work. Michael was expected to come out of the bye week with a bigger role, but only carried the ball five times for 18 yards.

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All signs point to Randle missing time; prior to the injury, Randle carried the load with McFadden seeing 12-18 touches depending on his usage in the passing game. With McFadden atop the heap, he should see around 20 total touches, giving Michael a good 10-12 looks per game to prove he’s more than a workout warrior. If Michael is impressive in his opportunities, he could easily pass Randle on the depth chart, since Randle has been mostly average (4.1 yards per carry).

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Michael also may find himself a starter sooner rather than later, based on McFadden’s long history of getting hurt. In seven seasons with the Raiders McFadden played in all 16 games once (2014) and the most carries he’s ever logged is 223, all the way back in 2010. Michael has no track record of success, but he’s also never been given a real chance to show anything at all, so his owners need to remain patient, and hope Randle needs a few weeks off.

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