Marcus

Murphy

Murphy was signed on a futures deal back in December. The last time he touched the ball was in 2018 with the Bills, taking 52 carries for 250 yards. The Panthers are still quite thin at running back behind Christian McCaffrey.

Murphy was a 2015 pick of the Saints who had carved out a role in Buffalo the last couple years. He has a career 60-291-0 rushing line (4.9 YPC) with 14 catches for 36 yards. Murphy can also play special teams. He’s a candidate to land on his feet elsewhere. The Bills are just stacked in the backfield.

Murphy dislocated his elbow in Week 15 while taking over lead back duties with LeSean McCoy (hamstring) and Chris Ivory (shoulder) missing time. If both players are still out for Week 16, Keith Ford will be a volume-based RB2/3 sleeper. The Bills signed WR Victor Bolden in a corresponding move.

He will go on I.R. Murphy operated as Buffalo’s lead back in LeSean McCoy (hamstring) and Chris Ivory’s (shoulder) Week 15 absence before going down. Keith Ford entered to parlay 15 touches into 53 yards. If McCoy and Ivory can’t go in Week 16 against the Patriots, Ford could become a sleeper for 20 touches.

Murphy went down at the end of a carry in the second quarter. He appeared to be in serious pain as he walked to the locker room, and it was revealed after the game he is dealing with a dislocated elbow. At this point, Keith Ford is Buffalo’s only healthy running back. Murphy had 35 yards on 11 carries before exiting.

McCoy tested his hamstring out in pre-game warmups but obviously he couldn’t get cleared. With Chris Ivory’s status also in doubt, lead ball-carrier duties will likely fall in the hands of Marcus Murphy. He could be of interest to DFS players looking to spend up at other positions.

Chris Ivory’s (shoulder) inactivity and the lopsided score allowed Murphy to play more than usual as Buffalo’s only active running back behind LeSean McCoy. Murphy will likely resume third-string duties with Ivory due back after the Week 11 bye. Murphy is not worth adding in fantasy leagues.

Seeing his first snaps in nearly a month, Murphy matched a season-high with nine touches against the Colts with seven of those coming in the second half. He broke off one big play, ripping off a 30-yard chunk early in the third quarter after Chris Ivory briefly exited with a foot injury. Murphy would be the backup to Ivory if LeSean McCoy (head) misses next week’s game against New England. Regardless, the 27-year-old doesn’t carry much fantasy importance.

Murphy touched the ball just one time on offense as a rookie, a zero-yard run where he suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 14. As a punt returner, Murphy averaged 9.3 yards and scored a touchdown. Murphy will compete with Travaris Cadet and C.J. Spiller for the pass-game role, but figures to be a long shot for the gig. If healthy, Spiller will get every opportunity.

Already on the roster bubble because of fumbling issues, this is a bad development for the second-year man. It is unlikely he is ready for the fourth preseason game.