Tyler

Ervin

Buffalo lost Pro Bowl return ace Andre Roberts in free agency and are likely looking to fill that role via the market. Ervin appeared on the occasional 3rd down in Green Bay but was an afterthought on offense beyond that. It would especially stay that way with the Bills, whose backfield merely averaged 18.1 carries per game spread out between two/three players.

The reserve running back will be ineligible to return before Week 17, though NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports he will miss at least a month. It sounds like the Packers would need to at least make the Divisional Round for Ervin to return another kick or punt this season. Recent free agent signing Tavon Austin could be the next man up.

Ervin is unlikely to suit up this week against the Colts. No Ervin in the lineup usually means a few more touches for Jamaal Williams, who saw eight rushes and four targets last week against the Jaguars. Ervin shouldn’t be rostered in fantasy leagues.

With Jamaal Williams and AJ Dillon on the COVID-19 list, Ervin operated as a returning Aaron Jones’ change-of-pace/No. 2 back. Ervin showed some “swerve,” but his 12 touches were the product of those injuries and a lopsided score. After entering this evening with 10 total touches on the year, Ervin is likely to revert back to forgotten role player status for Week 10 against the Jaguars.

Per beat writer Ryan Wood, the Packers will “monitor Jones’ calf strain closely,” and they are planning to “complement him with Tyler Ervin and Dexter Williams as needed.” Reading between the lines, it sounds like Jones probably would not be playing this week were Jamaal Williams and AJ Dillon not on the COVID-19 list. Fantasy managers should maybe plan on something in the neighborhood of 10-12 touches and then hope for more. Even on an uncertain workload, Jones can still be fired up as an upside RB2 because of his game-breaking ability and likely goal-line involvement.

This was expected with the Packers down at least two running backs. Williams, 23, played in four games for Green Bay in 2019 after being drafted in the sixth round. He’s unlikely to get any run if Aaron Jones (calf) is active for Thursday Night Football. Williams would probably play behind Tyler Ervin if Jones is inactive against the 49ers. Fantasy managers should try to find a superior option for Week 9.

Jones, who has missed two games and has barely practiced leading up to the team’s Week 9 game against the Niners, could be activated because the AJ Dillon (COVID-19) and Jamaal Williams are out. Rapoport said there’s a “real chance” Jones gets the nod Thursday night, though it remains unknown how much he would play. Tyler Ervin is the favorite to lead the Green Bay backfield if Jones is out.

This would suggest Aaron Jones (calf) won’t suit up to face the 49ers. We’ll continue to monitor the Green Bay backfield and Jones’ status headed into the Thursday contest. Ervin should be picked up in most leagues in case he gets the call against the 49ers. Dexter Williams is expected to be in the mix too.

The Packers are reportedly “pessimistic” Jones will be ready for Thursday night’s game against the 49ers. With A.J. Dillon and Jamaal Williams on the COVID-19 list, that leaves return man Tyler Ervin and practice-squadder Dexter Williams to lead the Packers’ backfield if Jones can’t go. Williams would likely be the lead early-down back, making him the preferred fantasy flier/plug-and-play FLEX, though Ervin will also offer some low-end FLEX viability.

Both Williams and LB Kamal Martin were designated high-risk close contacts with AJ Dillon, who tested positive for COVID-19. Williams, who was told to not practice Monday, will miss Thursday’s game against the Niners. Aaron Jones’ (calf) Week 9 status is unknown after he logged a limited practice Monday, and Dillon and Williams are out, meaning Tyler Ervin is the team’s only healthy running back right now. Dexter Williams -- who played four games for the Packers in 2019 -- could be called up from the practice squad before the team’s Thursday night game, becoming a savvy waiver add in deeper leagues.