Dylan

Laube

Zamir White is also doubtful, meaning Ameer Abdullah should draw the start. Abdullah hasn’t seen double-digit carries since 2017, so we should get plenty of Dylan Laube touches as well. As underdogs to a stout Denver defense, this isn’t a great spot for either running back, but there are touches up for grabs. Abdullah enters the weekend as a low-end RB3 while Laube is a dart-throw RB4.

Injuries to Zamir White (quad) and Alexander Mattison (ankle) will shoehorn Laube into Sunday’s rotation. The rookie sixth-round pick hasn’t been active since losing a fumble on his first career touch back in Week 6 against the Steelers, but it sounds like he and Ameer Abdullah could be slated for busy days against one of the league’s top defenses. Laube could offer some upside as a pass-catcher in Sunday’s AFC West showdown, but fantasy managers shouldn’t be flocking to put him in their starting lineups. If the matchup wasn’t challenging enough as is, the Raiders have been one of the worst rushing teams in the league all season. Pro Football Focus has them graded as the fifth-worst run-blocking team in all of football. Laube is better used as a stash rather than a start in Week 12, even with a tough week of byes on tap.

White went down in the second half with a quad issue. Though he was listed as questionable to return, the young back never got back on the field, leaving Ameer Abdullah as the team’s only active running back. Dylan Laube was a healthy scratch for this game but will likely get some run down the stretch with both White and Alexander Mattison (ankle) banged up. Abdullah and Laube are worth adding off the waiver wire in all formats.

Raiders declared RB Dylan Laube, CB Sam Webb, S Trey Taylor, C Andre James, and DE Janarius Robinson inactive for Week 9 against the Bengals. With White ready to go against the Bengals, Laube was deemed inactive as Alexander Mattison and White will continue to be the Raiders’ top backs. Andre James (ankle) is the Raiders’ major injury inactive as the center will miss his first game of the season. EDGE Maxx Crosby (ankle) and LB Robert Spillane (knee) both did not practice Friday but are good to go.

White was a limited participant during Wednesday’s session, and the 6-foot, 215-pound tailback was unable to go Thursday. This could be load management, but it’s not being listed as such. White’s absence would set up potentially more touches for Ameer Abdullah or Dylan Laube.

Laube drew a fair amount of interest in the preseason as a potential late-round fantasy darling out of the University of New Hampshire, but his first NFL carry was run right at T.J. Watt, who punched the ball out for a fumble. Laube may eventually have some NFL success, but it’s hard to see holding onto him outside of the deepest dynasty leagues.

The sixth-round rookie impressed during camp and preseason but has now been inactive for the first three games of the regular season, with Zamir White, Alexander Mattison, and special teams ace Ameer Abdullah the active backfield members throughout the season.

Laube remains a healthy scratch while fellow rookie Jackson Powers-Johnson is dealing with an illness. Alexander Mattison will continue to handle the bulk of the passing downs reps for Las Vegas.

Laube did well in camp and preseason to make the opening day active roster but will have to wait for his professional debut. Expect Ameer Abdullah to serve as the passing down back with Zamir White the clear lead back and Alexander Mattison operating in a change of pace role.

Tafur and Reed have the Raiders keeping four running backs, with Laube being the last to make the team. The rookie sixth-rounder has reportedly impressed in training camp but rushed for just 28 yards on 10 carries in the preseason while adding one catch for six yards. Laube will likely redshirt his rookie season unless injuries shoehorn him into a more meaningful role. He makes for an interesting stash in dynasty leagues but can be left off of draft boards in traditional redraft leagues.