Back-ups starting to shine

If last week proved anything about the quirkiness of fantasy football, it's this: You can never have enough running backs.

And I'm not even talking about Shaun Alexander or Tiki Barber. I'm talking about Samkon Gado, Greg Jones, Adrian Peterson, Mike Alstott and the rest of an unsuspecting cast of bargain-bin backs that made headlines last week.

If you were fortunate, or at the time thought you desperate enough, to start one of these diamonds in the rough last week, congratulations. You were the lucky recipients of what has been one of the most unpredictable fantasy seasons in recent memory.

Injuries have been a big reason for this.

Gado wasn't even on an NFL roster until the Packers called him up after injuries to their top three running backs: Ahman Green, Najeh Davenport and Tony Fisher. Gado didn't disappoint with a solid 103 yards rushing and three touchdowns against Atlanta.

Jones has also been the benefactor of the ongoing Fred Taylor medical drama. Taylor's constant aches and pains made owners who took a chance on him look smart by picking up the insurance back, in this case Jones. The former Florida State back had 106 yards and a touchdown against a tough Ravens defense last week. He'll probably get the start this week as Taylor is still doubtful.

Peterson has also benefitted from the bad luck of other backs. Chicago's Thomas Jones was having another great year, but he's been out the past two weeks due to a rib injury. That left the Bears with Peterson, the former Georgia Southern star, and their first-round pick, Cedric Benson.

Benson was off to a fantastic start last Sunday before going down with a sprained MCL. Peterson gladly accepted the role and rushed for 120 yards and a touchdown.

Alstott, a former huge fantasy factor, reasserted himself on Sunday with two touchdowns and a two-point conversion. While he doesn't get a ton of yards anymore, he's always been a goal-line vulture worthy of a desperation start.

It seems like the trend this year started with Week 1 when Pittsburgh's Willie Parker took over the starting role for the banged up Jerome Bettis and Duce Staley. It's fitting that Parker is now banged up and Staley has regained his starting job.

It's always good to know that if you get bit by the injury bug, there's always the chance of a breakout game by a second-, third- or even fourth-stringer. But it's even nicer to know that your running back situation isn't that desperate.

GREEN LIGHT

Stephen Jackson, RB, St. Louis: The Rams are nearly unbeatable when Jackson goes over the 100-yard mark and the Cardinals haven't proven they can stop anyone on the ground.

RED LIGHT

Joey Harrington, QB, Detroit: Three touchdowns last week looks good on paper, but it came against Arizona. He might not even start this week if Jeff Garcia comes back and I wouldn't recommend either of them against Dallas on the road.

WAKE-UP CALL

T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR, Cincinnati: With the Colts likely to focus on Chad Johnson, the No. 2 option in the Bengals' offense could have a big day.

ROOKIE WATCH

Matt Jones, WR, Jacksonville: Quietly has thrown his name into the rookie of the year hat.

Reach Raymond Beasock at (706) 823-3221 or raymond.beasock@augustachronicle.com.