Chris

Ivory

Ivory will be ready to rock as a borderline RB2 for a tough matchup with the Bills, wherever and whenever it takes place.

According to Caplan, the Raiders are “looking for a power back to pair with Latavius Murray.” Roy Helu flopped as a free-agent signing last offseason as the complement to Murray, who looked like he was wearing down during the second half of the year as Oakland’s workhorse. Ivory is expected to have a strong market and should be able to net $3-4 million per year on a new deal.

The expected move clears $2.156 million in cap space. Ivory’s release was a foregone conclusion after the Bills signed Frank Gore to pair with LeSean McCoy. Now 31, Ivory has not cleared four yards per carry since 2015. He posted an anemic 3.34 YPC in 2018. Not an asset as a pass catcher, it could be a while before Ivory’s phone rings.

Ivory should be on track to return after getting in full practices on both Thursday and Friday, though that was also the case last week when he sat out against New England. With LeSean McCoy healthy, Ivory won’t be in the fantasy picture even if he suits up.

UDFA Keith Ford will spell LeSean McCoy, who is playing through a hamstring injury. Ivory practiced all week, so he will likely return for Week 17.

Chris Ivory (shoulder) is inactive. McCoy will be backed up by Keith Ford. McCoy will be his usual volatile RB2/3 in a game that could have negative game flow. McCoy’s floor has stablized in the past month, however. Also inactive for the Bills are QB Derek Anderson, WR Ray-Ray McCloud, TE Charles Clay, OG Vladimir Ducasse, CB Ryan Lewis and S Dean Marlowe.

It’s a surprising development, particularly after Ivory got in full practices on both Thursday and Friday. With Ivory trending toward missing another game, change-of-pace duties behind starter LeSean McCoy will likely fall to undrafted rookie Keith Ford, who registered 46 yards on 14 carries in his NFL debut last week against Detroit.

Ivory sat out last week’s game with a bum shoulder but he’ll be back for Sunday’s game in Foxboro after getting in full practices on both Thursday and Friday. With LeSean McCoy (hamstring) also due back for Buffalo, Ivory won’t be an appealing fantasy play this week.

Ivory is set to return from a one-game absence. With LeSean McCoy also due back from a hamstring injury, undrafted rookie Keith Ford won’t carry any fantasy weight against New England.

Both he and LeSean McCoy (hammy) were limited, putting them on track to play Week 16 after missing last Sunday. Ivory will only be notable in fantasy if McCoy sits and he’s able to play. Keith Ford is the lone healthy back.