Week 15 vs. Detroit Lions
With LeSean McCoy nursing a bad hamstring, Chris Ivory should get the start for Buffalo this week. Ivory had 12 carries for 42 yards last week against New York. We know Ivory is capable of carrying the load and he will unless Shady can play. (McCoy did practice Thursday but was limited).
Ivory will face the Lions who are eighth in aFPA to running backs. Ivory should get around 15 touches if McCoy doesn't play, but with an unfavorable matchup, he should remain on your bench for Week 15.
Week 12 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Chris Ivory has been given more touches in recent games. He had 10 in his last game versus Chicago before sitting out against New York. He is healthy again and should be used to spot Shady McCoy.
The Bills face Jacksonville who is second in aFPA to running backs. Even if Ivory sees double-digit touches, the matchup will limit his production. Keep him on the bench for Week 12.
Fantasy Upside
Ivory was brought in as an insurance policy in case Shady McCoy got hurt. The veteran can carry the load if needed. Now with McCoy having legal issues, Ivory could step in as the No. 1 back in Buffalo. Ivory had a 1,000-yard season with the Jets a couple seasons ago when he was the featured back. So he is capable of handling the job.
Fantasy Downside
Obviously, Ivory is the backup. If McCoy plays like expected, Ivory's touches will be limited. Ivory is also 30 years old so his career is winding down.
2018 Bottom Line
Ivory is a great pickup if you somehow end up with McCoy. That way you will have the Bills' primary ball-carrier. He is probably not even really worth a late-round draft pick unless you use the collar strategy with McCoy. Buffalo's offense will not be strong in 2018.
Week 10 vs. Los Angeles Chargers
With Leonard Fournette suspended last week, Chris Ivory got a surprise start and posted 20 carries for 70 yards, adding 3 receptions for 34 yards. But Fournette will be back this week, meaning Ivory goes back to 8–10 carries this week. He's no more than a flex option.
Week 9 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Chris Ivory got the spot start two weeks ago for an injured Leonard Fournette and produced 47 yards and a touchdown. With Fournette back this week, Ivory goes back to being nothing more than a 5-to-10 touch-per-game player. That makes him a low-end flex.
Week 7 at Indianapolis Colts
Ivory got just 2 carries for 3 yards last week but had 9 catches for 74 yards and a score as the Jaguars fell behind. You'd take another 11 touches this week against a soft Indianapolis run defense. But with Leonard Fournette out, Ivory should get at least twice that many touches. That makes him a low-end RB1 this week and a sneaky solid play,
Week 6 vs. L.A. Rams
Chris Ivory got 8 carries for 41 yards last week but has been slowed by a hip flexor injury this week. Those can be painful, but he should be ready to go this week. But given his limited workload, he's not worth using as anything more than a flex play, even against fantasy football's worse RB defense.
Week 5 at Pittsburgh Steelers
Ivory got 9 carries for 42 yards last week against the Jets and has at least 6 carries in each of Jacksonville's first four games. But Leonard Fournette is obviously the big dog and that doesn't leave a lot of scraps for Ivory. Ivory shouldn't be in your lineup, even as a flex play.
Week 4 at N.Y. Jets
Chris Ivory had 6 carries for 17 yards for the second week in a row and added 2 receptions for 25 yards last week. Eight touches aren't enough to merit consideration for your lineup. He's nothing more than a fill-in for rookie Leonard Fournette.
Week 17 at Detroit
Ivory got 14 carries for 55 yards and a score last week as backup T.J. Yeldon went down and is now on IR. But Ivory also is dealing with a hamstring injury and will be an iffy start this week because of it. You never know when those issues can crop up again. Check his Friday status to be sure if you must start him. The matchup with Indianapolis is a good one and it will be tempting to put Ivory in the lineup as a No. 2 back if he's ready to go.