News: The Redskins and Giants have expressed interest in checking out free agent running back Tim Hightower. He didn't play in 2012 after tearing his ACL in 2011 and suffering a setback last September while in camp with the Redskins.
Analysis: Hightower will turn only 27 by the time the season starts and has a decent history of being productive in a physical short-yardage/goal-line role (24 career touchdowns in 53 games). Even if he signs he probably won't be more than decent depth for a roster and wouldn't figure into serious playing time with either team. Thus, he's a name to watch but not draft this summer.
News: The New York Daily News reports that former Redskins running back Tim Hightower is expected to visit Giants this weekend. Hightower, 26, was once a promising back who scored 23 touchdowns in his first three NFL seasons. But he hasn’t played a regular season game in 17 months since tearing his left ACL in Oct., 2011. The Giants seem set at the top of their depth chart at running back, with last year’s No. 1 pick David Wilson and Andre Brown – a restricted free agent who has yet to sign his tender – set to battle for the starting job. But if healthy, the 6-foot, 220-pound Hightower could compete for the third spot with Ryan Torain (his former backup in Washington) and Da’Rel Scott, who missed most of last season after having surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee.
Analysis: Hightower was a dangerous part-time back in Arizona from 2008-2010, but he was traded to the Redskins in exchange for defensive end Vonnie Holliday and a draft pick before the 2011 season. He won the starting job that year in camp, but in his fifth start – after 84 carries and 321 yards – he tore his left ACL. Hightower returned to the Redskins last summer, but appeared in only one preseason game (rushing five times for 28 yards) and was cut at the end of training camp. He later had another surgery, according to reports, to repair a damaged meniscus in the same knee. Keep an eye on what happens with Hightower, but if he signs with the Giants he would be just be depth on the roster. He should not be drafted in the majority of leagues.
News: Redskins coach Mike Shanahan told reporters Wednesday he talked with running back Tim Hightower before choosing to sign Ryan Grant to replace the injured Roy Helu, who was placed on IR. Shanahan said Hightower wasn't re-signed because he had a setback with the knee he tore his ACL in last season and is having arthroscopic surgery.
Analysis: Hightower isn't having another major surgery, but the Redskins needed help now, which is why they signed Grant. Perhaps later this season Washington might revisit signing Hightower or he might sign with another team. However, you can leave him on waivers in Fantasy until further notice. He is not returning any time soon.
News: Hoping to create some clarity in their muddled backfield situation, the Redskins released veteran running back Tim Hightower on Friday, the Washington Post reports. Hightower, who was recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in Week 7 last year, played in only two exhibition games and tallied five carries for 28 yards. An elusive runner prior to the injury, the 26-year-old looked reserved at the line of scrimmage during his limited preseason action and also collected just one reception in the passing game. Hightower has averaged 32 receptions in his first four NFL seasons.
Analysis: And then there were three. With Hightower off the roster, the Redskins will turn to a backfield trio of Evan Royster, Roy Helu and energetic rookie Alfred Morris for the start of the regular season. But the most pressing question remains: who will start? It won't be Hightower despite claiming he made significant progress in his return from the serious knee injury, but also admitting he was never at 100 percent during camp. Fantasy owners should completely bypass him in all upcoming drafts as he looks to join another team in time for Week 1 and dismiss any lingering health concerns. Hightower could have some value, especially in PPR formats, if he lands in a favorable setting.
News: Washington running back Tim Hightower recorded five carries for 28 yards during his first action of the preseason in the Redskins' 30-17 victory over Indianapolis on Saturday. Hightower, who was playing in his first game since Oct. 23, 2011, after having reconstructive knee surgery, served as the backup to starter Alfred Morris. Washington was also missing the other two running backs -- Roy Helu and Evan Royster -- contending for the starting job because of injuries. Hightower made his first appearance midway through the second quarter and finished with almost 80 yards less than the rookie Morris, who rushed for 107 yards on 14 attempts. "I was a little rusty," Hightower said. "But ultimately it wasn’t really about what I did. It was a matter of me just being part of this team and me getting a chance to be back out there."
Analysis: Hightower tore his left ACL last season and has been gradually increasing his workload in practice. He said he's no longer hesitating or thinking about contact when he hits the hole and proved that Saturday with a long gain of 18 yards in which he evaded several defenders. Unfortunately, Hightower's absence this preseason -- as well as Morris' emergence -- has crippled his Fantasy draft stock. His average draft position in CBSSports.com standard leagues is 145.68 and he should not be selected prior to the late rounds, with a slight boost only in PPR formats. Redskins coach Mike Shanahan has not provided any insight on the murky backfield situation, but all four players remain possibilities to contribute. Perhaps some clarity will surface this week from Shanahan.
News: After completing his fourth full-speed practice of the preseason, Tim Hightower was cleared to play in Saturday's game against Indianapolis. “If there’s no setback, he’ll play Saturday," Washington coach Mike Shanahan told reporters after Thursday's practice. "I’ll get a feel before the game... and then I’ll determine how much time he gets.” Hightower missed most of last season after tearing his ACL in October and having surgery in November.
Analysis: The timing for Hightower's clearance couldn't have come at a better time, as Evan Royster and Roy Helu will both be sidelined for the game with injuries. With an ADP of 143.70, Hightower is being drafted behind Felix Jones, Jahvid Best, and Ronnie Hillman; he may see his value rise with the clearance, however, as there is no clear starting candidate right now in the injury-riddled Washington backfield, and Hightower did begin 2011 as the starting running back. Shanahan is notoriously hard to predict, so all three running backs probably have an equal chance of starting any given week. If Fantasy owners take nothing else away from this story, though, there is one awesome tidbit for which Hightower should probably be embraced. According to the Washington Post, reporters told Hightower of Shanahan's announcement, to which he replied: “I’m playing? Coach Shanahan, I don’t care what they say about you, man! This is huge.”
News: The Washington Post reports that Thursday's practice will determine whether Redskins running back Tim Hightower will be able to play in the team's third preseason game vs. Indianapolis and, by extension, the first week of the regular season at the Saints. Hightower has worked his way back from a torn ACL but has done mostly positional drills until this week when he went through 11 on 11 drills Monday and a padded practice Wednesday. "He's made some strides, but it's really hard to tell until he goes full-speed," coach Mike Shanahan said Wednesday. "Once you put the pads on, it's different than going in shorts. I think tomorrow will be a good indication on how he feels. It's the first day he's actually had contact around our first, second, third team offense and ran our plays."
Analysis: Hightower might be the most unappealing Fantasy rusher with a chance to start Week 1. That's because he might be limited in his workload and has no guarantees about staying healthy or keeping the starting job for any reasonable period of time.Because of this, Hightower is no better than a late-round pick since he might not even make the Redskins' final roster.
News: Redskins coach Mike Shanahan told reporters Wednesday he is uncertain if running backs Tim Hightower (knee) and Roy Helu (Achilles) will be ready by the regular season opener. "I really don't know yet," Shanahan said.
Analysis: The Redskins' running back situation could be a headache all season. Shanahan has shown in the past to mix it up in the backfield and the situation could be a week-to-week scenario, especially if Helu and Hightower aren't ready for the start of the season. Hightower still has the chance to be the starter Week 1 and Helu has a ton of upside, but right now Evan Royster is looking like the safest Fantasy pick heading into the start of the season. All three running backs are looking like mid- to late-round picks depending on your format. Helu has a little more value than the other two backs in PPR leagues.
News: The Washington Post reports that Redskins running back Tim Hightower had his most active day since the start of training camp Thursday and received a large number of carries during 11 on 11 portions of the team’s practice. Hightower tore the ACL in his left knee last October, had surgery in November and has been limited primarily to individual and one on one drills so far this season. But Hightower received the green light to take part in Thursday’s action, and appeared to do well. In previous practices, Hightower would get a carry or two during non-contact action, but still moved with a noticeable limp. On Thursday, the Redskins practiced without pads, and Hightower rotated in as scout team running back. He displayed good quickness and improved cutting ability. Following practice, Hightower said that he felt “pretty good” about his outing, and Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said he was encouraged by what he saw in his most veteran running back. “Tim practiced today and did a pretty good job out there. I felt really good about that,” Shanahan said.
Analysis: Shanahan has said the Redskins hope Hightower could return to action for the team’s third preseason game – Aug. 25 against Indianapolis – but has also cautioned that the more realistic date could be the Aug. 29 preseason finale versus Tampa Bay. Continue to monitor what happens with Hightower, who could emerge as a No. 3 Fantasy running back if 100 percent healthy. He also has to prove he can be better than Evan Royster and Roy Helu, but going into the year he should be drafted with a late-round pick.
News: Washington running back Tim Hightower, who continues to be limited after undergoing ACL surgery in November, could play in the Aug. 25 preseason game against the Colts, according to coach Mike Shanahan, reports the Washington Examiner Tuesday. “I’ve seen some big strides out of him over the last two to three days,” Shanahan said. “His quickness has vastly improved from three weeks ago and now we have to put him in team situations and see how he reacts. There’s a big difference from when he first started.”
Analysis: Hightower is unlikely to play in Saturday's preseason contest at Chicago, but could return for the team's third preseason contest as he prepares for the regular season. Hightower is currently projected to start at running back for the Redskins, where he'll be backed up by Evan Royster and Roy Helu. That depth chart is very jumbled as any of those three could emerge as the starter when all is said and done. Pay attention to how Hightower runs when he returns, because as starter he'd be worth a late-round pick as a guy with plenty of sleeper appeal.
News: Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said Tuesday that running back Tim Hightower (knee) will not play in the team's preseason opener Thursday at Buffalo, the Washington Post reports. Hightower, who was listed as the team's starting running back when the initial depth chart was released Monday, continues to rehab his left knee after having surgery last October to repair a torn ACL. Evan Royster is expected to take his place in the starting lineup against the Bills, while Hightower is reportedly hoping to return by the third week of the preseason schedule.
Analysis: The Redskins continue to be cautious with Hightower, the lone player among the running back trio -- plus Roy Helu -- with more than two years of NFL experience. Hightower has looked sharp in early workouts during training camp and is looking to put his injury marred 2011 campaign behind him. It was the first time in his four-year NFL career he did not appear in all 16 games. Fantasy owners should continue to monitor the situation and target Hightower with a late-round pick in most drafts, but Royster could surpass him with a strong preseason performance.
News: The Redskins released their first depth chart of training camp Monday and an unexpected name topped the list among running backs: Tim Hightower. The 26-year-old, who is still not at full strength while recovering from surgery last October to repair a torn ACL, is followed by Evan Royster and Roy Helu on the depth chart. Washington coach Mike Shanahan said last week that Hightower has not experienced any setbacks in his rehab and is hoping to keep him free of the PUP list for the regular season. The Redskins play their first preseason game Thursday at Buffalo.
Analysis: It's tough to place much stock in a depth chart provided by the constantly wavering Shanahan, especially the first list of the preseason. But for now, Hightower is expected to receive carries with the first team and Fantasy owners will have to continue to deal with Shanahan's trademark unpredictability. Hightower has looked sharp in early workouts during training camp and is looking to put his injury marred 2011 campaign behind him. It was the first time in his four-year NFL career he did not appear in all 16 games (five). Fantasy owners should continue to monitor the situation and target Hightower with a late-round reserve pick in deeper drafts at this point.
News: Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said Tuesday there haven't been any setbacks for rusher Tim Hightower, but he's still not close to ready for game action. "Anytime you’ve got an ACL, it’s going to take you awhile to cut naturally. And instead of keeping him on PUP, I thought it’d be better for him to come in and do the football drills and feel more comfortable and just going out there and cutting," the coach said. "And if we think he’s able to go in the 95 percent range, we’re going to give him some more reps for it to become second nature. But he wants to get in there, he wants to compete and he’s getting better every day. And when we think he’s ready to go, we’ll put him in."
Analysis: Hightower might be the most unappealing Fantasy rusher with a chance to start Week 1. That's because he might be limited in his workload and has no guarantees about staying healthy or keeping the starting job for any reasonable period of time. Young rushers Roy Helu and Evan Royster wait in the wings, with Helu already far more intriguing to Fantasy owners and Royster beginning to draw some attention. Hightower is no better than a late-round pick.
News: Redskins running back Tim Hightower (knee) still believes he will be completely prepared for the start of the regular season despite being limited early in training camp. Hightower had surgery to repair a torn ACL in his left knee last October, but coach Mike Shanahan has stated the 26-year-old is far from full strength. He was able to avoid the PUP list for the start of camp, but received a scheduled day off Sunday. "I’m just getting better each day," Hightower told the Washington Post on Monday. "I didn’t [regress] at all. I don’t think it’s any area of concern. I just went out there the first couple days to see how my body felt, and I just keep getting better. I’m still on track. I’ll be out there Game 1."
Analysis: Hightower hasn't slowed his momentum when he does receive carries in practice as he remains embedded in a three-way battle with Roy Helu and Evan Royster for starting duties out of the backfield. But he understands he has to be realistic about his recovery, which is certainly not easy for a slashing running back. "I’m definitely still working to get back to being where I feel completely comfortable," he said. "If I’m not able to go out there and give it 110 [percent] and be at 110, then I’m not going to be out there." Shanahan, notorious for being coy about his players, might wait until after preseason games to name a starter. Hightower is likely third on the list merely based on his return from a serious injury and should only be targeted as a late-round reserve pick in PPR Fantasy drafts at this point.
News: The race for the starting running back job in Washington is on, though Mike Shanahan might wait a while to name a winner ... and could change his mind the week after. Evan Royster, Roy Helu and Tim Hightower took reps in that order to kick off practice on Thursday as each one aims to solidify a role in the Washington offense. But it was Royster who had the majority of snaps with the first-team offense according to the Washington Post. Helu worked mostly with the second-team offense while Hightower was limited and didn't run smoothly at every chance. At one point, according to the paper, Hightower ran with a slight limp back to the huddle after a long run. Shanahan sounded like he was ready to roll with Hightower when he re-signed him this offseason but was non-committal on Thursday. "We'll let it play out," he said of his running back competition.
Analysis: We will probably see Shanahan mix and match his running backs throughout the summer, so don't get too worked up about Royster getting more reps than Helu and Hightower. Such a mix could continue into the season, where Royster and Hightower could work in running downs while Helu and Hightower split the passing downs. An injury or some poor practice performances could clear up what's happening in D.C. but for now it's going to be tough to say with confidence who the best Redskins running back will be this season. Helu might be the safest to draft but with the uncertainty in camp he's starting to fall to Round 6 and beyond (Round 4-5 in PPR). Royster, meanwhile, is gaining some steam as a late-round pick while Hightower remains unappealing as a reserve with a similar late-round pick.
News: The Washington Times believes Redskins rusher Tim Hightower will begin the year as the team's starting running back if he is ready to go for the start of the season. Hightower tore his ACL last October after a nice start to the 2011 season and has been limited in his workload with the Redskins this spring. The paper believes Hightower will remain limited when camp opens next week but ease into full practice reps as time goes on and his knee allows. Hightower's all-around game makes him more appealing to the Redskins coaches over second-year players Roy Helu and Evan Royster. Hightower told a Washington radio station recently that he's ready for camp.
Analysis: Expectations are not high for Hightower right now not only because he's coming off of a torn ACL but also because he'll end up splitting reps with the other two backs and could lose his predominant role at any time as Mike Shanahan prefers to use different backs for different matchups. He's a Fantasy bargain as a mid-to-late pick right now -- someone you can stash on your bench -- but his potential isn't exactly beaming even after combining for 399 yards and a pair of scores (with two 20-carry games) in the five contests he played in last season.
News: Redskins running back Tim Hightower said on Washington radio station 980AM that he plans to be ready for the start of training camp. Said Hightower, who is coming off a torn ACL suffered last season in Week 5, "July 25th, I'm anticipating going." Hightower is hoping to pick up where last season ended prior to his injury. "I got a lot to prove," he said. "I kinda gave the Washington Redskins and the fans out there an appetizer last year." Hightower racked up a combined 399 yards and a pair of scores in the five games he played in last season and saw 20-plus carries twice over that span.
Analysis: Hightower will likely come in and share touches with Roy Helu and Evan Royster, but who starts for the Redskins and gets the majority of touches is anyone's guess when it comes to Mike Shanahan. We're glad Hightower will be ready for the start of training camp, and he is worth a late-round pick in the majority of leagues. Helu should remain the best rusher for the Redskins, but Hightower will definitely play a prominent role if he's 100 percent healthy.
News: After missing time in camp with a hamstring injury, not to mention banging up his toe and knee last season, Redskins rusher Roy Helu's durability is being called into question. Pro Football Weekly suggests that Washington's coaches are concerned about Helu's ability to stay in the game past 10 or 15 carries and that they prefer veteran Tim Hightower over Helu, even with Hightower coming back from a torn ACL injury. Hightower was cleared for football activities in the spring and has done positional drills but not team drills.
Analysis: If there's one thing we learned in Washington last season, it's that their running backs are fairly interchangeable and their playing time is always up in the air. But when Hightower was given a chance to play early last season, he did well. However, there's no promise to how many touches he'll get even if he starts as Helu and Evan Royster will contend for snaps. At the very least Hightower could work as the Skins' third-down back and short-yardage/goal-line back, roles he's done well with in the past. Figure Hightower to be a good late-round pick for depth in Fantasy drafts, especially for those owners who spend a good pick on Helu.
News: The Washington Post reports the Redskins continued to limit running back Tim Hightower’s activity Tuesday, as they have all offseason, but coach Mike Shanahan called the move precautionary and said Hightower could take on a heavier workload if the season were about to start. Hightower tore his ACL during the fifth game of last season and was cleared for football related drills earlier this spring. During the three weeks of organized team activities, and in this week’s minicamp, Hightower has taken part in positional drills, but the Redskins have held him out of full team action. “He’s doing good,” Shanahan said of Hightower. “I think he’s really wanting to practice right now, but he does have five, six weeks."
Analysis: Hightower will likely come in and share touches with Roy Helu and Evan Royster. Helu should get the majority of carries, but Hightower could play a role at the goal line and in passing situations. Figure Hightower to be a good late-round pick for depth in Fantasy drafts, especially for those owners who spend a good pick on Helu.
News: Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said Thursday he expects running back Tim Hightower to be ready for the start of training camp. Hightower tore his ACL last October and has been rehabbing this offseason. He racked up a combined 399 yards and a pair of scores in the five games he played in last season and saw 20-plus carries twice over that span.
Analysis: Many people believe that Hightower has the best chance to start for Washington because of his experience in their rushing scheme and his pass protection skills. We'd be surprised to see Hightower land the majority of carries right off the bat given his ACL injury and given the finish Roy Helu and Evan Royster had last season (they'll fight for playing time this summer). At the very least Hightower could work as the Skins' third-down back and short-yardage/goal-line back, roles he's done well with in the past. Figure Hightower to be a good late-round pick for depth in Fantasy drafts, especially for those owners who spend a good pick on Helu.
News: Redskins running back Tim Hightower is grateful for his opportunity to stay with the team after tearing his ACL last October. And while it remains to be seen just how much playing time he'll have -- doctors have yet to clear him for football activities according to the Washington Post -- Hightower's focus is just on getting his legs back to normal. "That's the least of my worries right now," he said about regaining the starting job. "My focus is on improving each day and really committing to getting into the best shape I can. That stuff will get determined in due time when it should be. I've just got to stay determined."
Analysis: The paper speculates that Hightower has the best chance to start for Washington because of his experience in their rushing scheme and his pass protection skills. We'd be surprised to see Hightower land the majority of carries right off the bat given his ACL injury and the finish Roy Helu and Evan Royster had last season (they'll fight for playing time this summer). At the very least Hightower could work as the Skins' third-down back and short-yardage/goal-line back, roles he's done well with in the past. Figure Hightower to be a late-round pick for depth in Fantasy drafts, especially for those owners who spend a good pick on Helu.
News: Running back Tim Hightower posted on Twitter that he's back with the Redskins, donning a team cap. The team has since confirmed the move. Hightower tore his ACL last October and has been rehabbing this offseason. He racked up a combined 399 yards and a pair of scores in the five games he played in and saw 20-plus carries twice over that span.
Analysis: With second-year backs Roy Helu and Evan Royster fighting for playing time this summer, we figure Hightower is a long shot to return to the starting lineup in Washington. He could contend for a limited role in the offense and possibly work as their short-yardage/goal-line back, a role he's done well with in the past. Figure Hightower to be a late-round pick for depth in Fantasy drafts, especially for those owners who spend a good pick on Helu.
News: The Redskins say they would still like to re-sign running back Tim Hightower, who is coming off a torn ACL in October. Hightower visited with New England recently and is a free agent. Coach Mike Shanahan said doctors expect Hightower to be fully recovered by the middle of June, giving him a chance to be ready for the start of training camp.
Analysis: If Hightower were to re-sign in Washington he wouldn't see the kind of reps he did in 2011. Roy Helu seems to be the team's most polished running back and backup Evan Royster showed some flashes late last season. Coming back off of knee surgery to a reduced role probably will yield career-worst stats for him. We wouldn't trust Hightower until we see him working regularly with the first-team offense this summer.
News: The Redskins officially placed RB Tim Hightower on season-ending injury reserve on Tuesday. Hightower tore his ACL during Week 7 against the Panthers and will miss the remainder of the season. The team has yet to make a corresponding move.
Analysis: Hightower's first season in Washington officially ended on Tuesday, even though the intial reports began surfacing on Monday. The 25-year-old racked up a combined 399 yards and pair of scores in the five games he played in and saw 20-plus carries twice over that span. Fantasy owners in seasonal formats should feel free to drop Hightower at this point, as he will be sidelined for several months. Ryan Torain and Roy Helu are expected to earn additional playing time in his absence.
News: Washington coach Mike Shanahan said Monday that RB Tim Hightower tore his ACL during Week 7 against Carolina and will miss the rest of the season. Hightower, who is in his first season with the Redskins, left Sunday's game with the devastating knee injury on a cart and did not return to the game. He will be placed on season-ending injured reserve and finished with an average of 3.8 yards per carry this year.
Analysis: After spending his first three NFL seasons in Arizona, Hightower received a leading role in the Washington backfield this year. He started the season on a torrid pace and recorded at least 20 carries in each of his first two games while rushing for one touchdown. However, he has struggled with injuries and ineffectiveness as Ryan Torain surpassed him for carries. Hightower did finish with 17 carries for 88 yards before the injury against the Panthers. Fantasy owners should drop him in the majority of formats as he will be sidelined for several months. Torain and Roy Helu are expected to earn additional playing time in his absence.
News: An MRI is due for RB Tim Hightower on Monday after he left the Redskins' Week 7 game at Carolina with a knee injury, but multiple sources tell WTEM-AM in Washington that Hightower has suffered a torn ACL and will miss the rest of the season. It was initially believed that Hightower did not suffer any serious ligament damage after rushing 17 times for 88 yards.
Analysis: If Hightower is out for the year, the rushing duties will fall on Ryan Torain and Roy Helu, with Torain likely to take the lead. The Redskins play at Buffalo, a weak run defense, in Week 8. Hightower was on his way to being the Redskins' primary back after the Panthers game -- he started and was barely taken off the field until he got hurt. We'll keep you posted on Hightower's knee but as of now we're not nearly as optimistic as we were on Sunday.
News: Washington RB Tim Hightower returned to his starting role on Sunday in Week 7 at Carolina. Hightower started and Ryan Torain didn't even see the field until after halftime in the game. Hightower rushed 17 times for 88 yards before injuring his knee in the game. Hightower headed to the locker room on a cart and could not return for Washington, as Torain took over the running game. Hightower suffered a sprained left knee and avoided serious injury as he says he did not feel a pop in the knee. Hightower underwent X-rays that came back negative and initial ACL tests were good news as well. That said, his knee is sore and he'll undergo an MRI Monday.
Analysis: Hightower's injury seems to be the only thing keeping him from being the top option in the running game for coach Mike Shanahan and the Redskins. The Redskins went exclusively to Hightower before the injury, so who knows how the two will be used next week in Buffalo, should both be healthy. Hightower's health will be the most important thing to monitor through the practice week. The Redskins play at Buffalo in Week 8 and the Bills are allowing plenty of Fantasy points to opposing running backs. If Hightower is healthy for Week 8, consider him a No. 2 Fantasy RB. If not, that status goes to Torain.
News: Redskins RB Tim Hightower is active and healthy enough to start for Washington on Sunday at the Panthers. However, that does not necessarily mean that Hightower will put up more stats than fellow running back Ryan Torain. It is expected that Washington will use both guys and ride the hot hand as the game goes on. Hightower could field more passes than Torain, as he's the better all-around running back and has new QB John Beck possibly needing his help in check down situations.
Analysis: The Redskins running backs have become frustrating to figure out after Hightower was named the starter last week and didn't even play. Torain played but didn't get much work and was stuffed by a re-energized Eagles defense. The Panthers run defense is among the worst in the league, allowing seven rushing scores to opposing RBs (and 10 total) and giving up at least 90 total yards to one running back in every game this season. We don't love the idea of starting any Redskins running back this week, but if we had to pick one we'd go with Torain, even with Hightower getting the start. It is possible that both backs put up good numbers in the face of the Panthers run defense.
News: CBSSports.com RapidReporter John Keim said Friday on Fantasy Football Today that he expects RB Tim Hightower to start for the Redskins on Sunday at the Panthers. However, that does not necessarily mean that Hightower will put up more stats than fellow running back Ryan Torain. Keim suspects that the Redskins will use both guys and ride the hot hand as the game goes on, but did make a notable point: Hightower is a better all-around running back and could be on the field more in passing situations if only help protect QB John Beck, especially with the Redskins' offensive line down a couple of starters. Hightower is considered probable for the game after dealing with a minor shoulder injury.
Analysis: The Redskins running backs have become frustrating to figure out after Hightower was named the starter last week and didn't even play. Torain played but didn't get much work and was stuffed by a re-energized Eagles defense. The Panthers run defense is among the worst in the league, allowing seven rushing scores to opposing RBs (and 10 total) and giving up at least 90 total yards to one running back in every game this season. We don't love the idea of starting any Redskins running back this week, but if we had to pick one we'd go with Torain, even with Hightower reportedly getting the start. It is possible that both backs put up good numbers in the face of the Panthers run defense.
News: Washington RB Tim Hightower was announced the team's starter last week against Philadelphia and didn't end up playing in the game due to a shoulder injury. "One of the reasons why I did it is that he’s been the starter for most of the year and I didn’t want to let them know who was going to start in the game," coach Mike Shanahan explained on Wednesday. "I really thought that Tim deserved it because of what he’d done through the preseason, what he’d done through the regular season and it was really an acknowledgement to the fans of who Tim is. I thought he deserved to be introduced.” Ryan Torain was announced as the third string for the game, but was clearly the starter, though he finished with just 22 yards on 10 carries. Heading into Week 7 at Carolina, the Redskins running game is basically a free-for-all as Hightower practiced in full on Wednesday and should be fine to play in the Week 7 game.
Analysis: It is unfortunate for Fantasy owners that the Redskins running game seems wide open with Hightower healthy, Torain looking like the better back and rookie Roy Helu waiting in the wings. Washington faces the team giving up the absolute most Fantasy points per game to opposing running backs this season in the Panthers. In fact, Michael Turner rushed for 139 yards with two scores just last week as the Falcons basically ran their way to victory against the porous rush defense that has given up five rushing touchdowns and three more through the air to RBs on the year. Hightower has scored three total TDs against Carolina in four career meetings, including the playoffs, but we like Torain to have the better overall game. The uncertainty unfortunately makes Hightower just a low-end No. 3 Fantasy RB for the Week 7 game.
News: Washington RB Tim Hightower did not touch the ball offensively in the Week 6 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Hightower was announced before the game as the starter, but it was Ryan Torain who started and Roy Helu who backed up. Hightower did not get a carry and was not seen on the field. After the game, coach Mike Shanahan said Hightower was not used because of the shoulder injury he was dealing with during the practice week. The Washington Post reports that Hightower will be the Redskins' No. 3 back going forward until his shoulder fully heals.
Analysis: Hightower didn't even touch the ball and was simply nowhere to be found for the Redskins. Despite reports that said Hightower, who had a shoulder injury coming in, would still start the game against the Eagles, it was all Torain in the contest with Hightower still feeling that shoulder injury. The Redskins offense was terrible and once the Redskins got down big, the team stopped running the ball anyway. Hightower has fallen behind Torain and Helu for coach Shanahan heading into Week 7 at Carolina, at least until he can prove he's healthy again. The Panthers have been terrible at stopping the run this season, but the Eagles were even worse and the Redskins did little. Consider Hightower a RB to avoid for the Week 7 contest.
News: Washington RB Tim Hightower (shoulder) was listed as the Redskins' starter for the Week 6 game against the Eagles. Hightower is active for the game and should start over Roy Helu and Ryan Torain. Hightower, who has an interesting history against the Eagles as he hauled in the game-winning touchdown catch for Arizona in the 2008 NFC Championship game, has only managed 22 rushing attempts for 65 yards the last two games for the Redskins as Torain has emerged.
Analysis: Hightower will start for Washington, though we do believe that Torain will see the bulk of the work against the Eagles. The Eagles are allowing the most Fantasy points per game to running backs of any team in the NFL this season. The Eagles have allowed either a 100-yard rushing game, a touchdown scored, or both, in every game this season. For that, Hightower, despite his unsettled situation, can continue to be started as a No. 3 Fantasy RB.
News: Redskins RB Tim Hightower remained limited in practice Friday because of a shoulder injury and is listed as questionable for Week 6 against the Eagles .Hightower, who has an interesting history against the Eagles as he hauled in the game-winning touchdown catch for Arizona in the 2008 NFC Championship game, has only managed 22 rushing attempts for 65 yards the last two games for the Redskins as Ryan Torain emerged in Week 4 as another viable rushing option along with rookie Roy Helu.
Analysis: Hightower said Thursday that he is preparing to be the starter in Week 6, but clearly the Redskins don't have to have him shoulder the load with Torain and Helu viable options as well. The Eagles are allowing the most Fantasy points per game to running backs of any team in the NFL this season. The Eagles have allowed either a 100-yard rushing game, a touchdown scored, or both, in every game this season. For that, Hightower, despite his unsettled situation, can continue to be started as a No. 3 Fantasy RB -- if he is active on Sunday.
News: Redskins RB Tim Hightower was asked on Thursday by reporters if he is still the team's starting running back heading into Week 6 against the Eagles. "I'm preparing to be," said Hightower, who has been limited in practice this week due to the shoulder injury he suffered in his team's last game in Week 4 against St. Louis. Hightower, who has an interesting history against the Eagles as he hauled in the game-winning touchdown catch for Arizona in the 2008 NFC Championship game, has only managed 22 rushing attempts for 65 yards the last two games for the Redskins as Ryan Torain emerged last week as another viable rushing option along with rookie Roy Helu.
Analysis: Hightower injured his shoulder on the third play vs. St. Louis. His absence allowed Torain to throw his hat into the ring for more carries going forward and the Redskins look to have a very unsettled situation in the backfield at the moment. Head coach Mike Shanahan has indicated that he will look to use the hot hand in games, which will make starting Hightower a risky proposition in Fantasy for Week 6. Continue to monitor this situation leading into his upcoming game against Philadelphia. The Eagles are allowing the most Fantasy points per game to running backs of any team in the NFL this season. The Eagles have allowed either a 100-yard rushing game, a touchdown scored, or both, in every game this season. For that, Hightower, despite his unsettled situation, can continue to be started as a No. 3 Fantasy RB.
News: Redskins RB Tim Hightower (shoulder) was back at practice on Wednesday, but was listed as a limited participant. Hightower (shoulder) told the Washington Examiner on Monday the expects to play in Week 6 against Philadelphia following his Week 5 bye week. Hightower, who has an interesting history against the Eagles as he hauled in the game-winning touchdown catch for Arizona in the 2008 NFC Championship game, has only managed 22 rushing attempts for 65 yards the last two games for the Redskins as Ryan Torain emerged last week as another viable rushing option along with rookie Roy Helu.
Analysis: Hightower injured his shoulder on the third play vs. St. Louis in Week 4. His absence allowed Torain to throw his hat into the ring for more carries going forward and the Redskins look to have a very unsettled situation in the backfield at the moment. Head coach Mike Shanahan has indicated that he will look to use the hot hand in games, which will make starting Hightower a risky proposition in Fantasy for Week 6. Continue to monitor this situation leading into his upcoming game against Philadelphia. The Eagles are allowing the most Fantasy points per game to running backs of any team in the NFL this season. The Eagles have allowed either a 100-yard rushing game, a touchdown scored, or both, in every game this season. For that, Hightower, despite his unsettled situation, can continue to be started as a No. 3 Fantasy RB.
News: Redskins RB Tim Hightower (shoulder) told the Washington Examiner on Monday the expects to play in Week 6 against Philadelphia following his Week 5 bye week. "I plan on playing," said Hightower. Hightower said his shoulder is "feeling a lot better." Asked if it was good enough to play, he answered, "It's better."
Analysis: Hightower injured his shoulder on the third play vs. St. Louis in Week 4. His absence allowed Ryan Torain to throw his hat into the ring for more carries going forward and the Redskins look to have a very unsettled situation in the backfield at the moment. Head coach Mike Shanahan has indicated that he will look to use the hot hand in games, which will make starting Hightower a risky proposition in Fantasy. Continue to monitor this situation leading into his upcoming game against Philadelphia.
News: Redskins RB Tim Hightower injured his shoulder on the third play vs. St. Louis on Sunday, one reason coach Mike Shanahan said led him to use RB Ryan Torain more. Torain responded with 19 carries for 135 yards, while Hightower was limited to eight carries for 24 yards.
Analysis: At least we now have a reason for why Hightower didn't perform well when he had a favorable matchup. However, his absence allowed Torain to throw his hat into the ring for more carries going forward, so this injury might do more damage than just keep Hightower sidelined. He is lucky that the Redskins are on a bye in Week 5, so he gets time to rest. However, follow his situation leading up to Week 6 against the Eagles before deciding whether or not to start Hightower in Fantasy.
News: Washington RB Tim Hightower finished second on the team in carries on Sunday of Week 4 during a win at St. Louis. With Ryan Torain coming out of nowhere to rush 19 times for 135 yards and a touchdown, Hightower was limited to eight carries for 24 yards in the game. Hightower appeared to be running without that killer instinct we've seen from him at times this season and coach Mike Shanahan seemed to decide to let Torain give the offense a breath of fresh air. Torain did just that. Hightower added one reception for 4 yards in the game and was targeted three times by QB Rex Grossman.
Analysis: The Redskins are entering a bye week in Week 5 at a very interesting time after the results of the Week 4 win over the Rams. The running game in Washington seems completely jumbled after the huge performance of Torain in the game on limited carries. Coach Mike Shanahan now has almost two full weeks to think about his run game with Hightower, Helu and Torain all looking like solid options. Torain came out of nowhere in the Week 4 win and now Fantasy owners won't really know who to focus on for Fantasy points. At this point, we believe the pecking order remains Hightower, Helu and Torain, in that order, but who knows what will happen against the Eagles in Week 6 off the bye. This situation is definitely worth monitoring as Hightower's Fantasy value could suffer.
News: Washington RB Tim Hightower heads into Week 4 at St. Louis having been handcuffed by the Cowboys on Monday night in Week 3. Hightower rushed for just 41 yards, but did get a receiving TD in the game. Facing the Rams Week 4, no team in the NFL has allowed more rushing yards after three weeks than have the Rams. In fact, only the Eagles, Chiefs and Raiders are allowing more Fantasy points per game to opposing running backs.
Analysis: Hightower has played well against the Rams over his last five games. He's rushed 64 times for 309 yards with three touchdowns over that span. He already has shown he's Washington's top runner and could be in for big things against a weak Rams defense in the Week 4 game. Consider Hightower a solid No. 2 Fantasy RB for Week 4.
News: Washington RB Tim Hightower had a decent all-around game on Monday night in Week 3 against the Cowboys. Hightower was ineffective for stretches, but did finish with 80 total yards and a receiving touchdown in the game. Hightower rushed 14 times in the game for a total of 41 yards on the ground. He added five catches for 39 yards for the Redskins in the 18-16 loss.
Analysis: Hightower had his worst rushing game in a Washington uniform on Monday night and the Redskins had trouble establishing any kind of consistent run against the Cowboys defense. Still, Hightower recorded his second touchdown of the year. He's scored or gone over 100 yards in all three games this season. Hightower faces the Rams in St. Louis in Week 4 and no team in the NFL has allowed more rushing yards after three weeks than have the Rams. In fact, only the Eagles, Chiefs and Raiders are allowing more Fantasy points per game to opposing running backs. That bodes quite well for Hightower heading into Week 4. Hightower can be considered a solid No. 2 Fantasy RB in St. Louis.
News: Redskins RB Tim Hightower will be going up against a tough run defense in Week 3 against the Cowboys. Dallas enters Monday ranked second in the league against the run, giving up just under 60 yards per contest, and have allowed an average of 11 Fantasy points to opposing running backs.
Analysis: Hightower has posted back-to-back productive performances in his first two games with the Redskins and seems to be a solid fit for their zone-blocking scheme. While rookie Roy Helu stole some carries from him a week ago, the 25-year-old remains the starter in Washington and should be able to move the ball against Dallas. Even though the Cowboys have been tough against the run thus far, consider Hightower a low-end No. 1/high-end No. 2 Fantasy RB for Week 3.
News: Washington RB Tim Hightower had another near-100-yard performance in the Week 2 win over the Cardinals, his former team. After totaling 97 yards in Week 1 against the Giants, Hightower rushed 20 times for 96 yards and caught one pass for 10 yards for a total of 107 against the Cardinals. That said, unlike Week 1, Hightower did not score in the game. Despite receiving 20 carries, the Redskins also had rookie Roy Helu rush 10 times for 74 yards and Helu added three catches for 38 more.
Analysis: Hightower had a very solid and even performance in the Week 2 game against his former team. He's been a solid option after two weeks of the season both running and catching the football for the Redskins. Hightower is a threat for 100 yards and a score every time he takes the field as he's the clear-cut No. 1 option in Washington. The rookie Helu looked shifty at times in the Week 2 game, but it is clear that Hightower is the top option for the Redskins at the moment. Consider Hightower a solid No. 2 Fantasy RB heading into Week 3 at Dallas.
News: Redskins RB Tim Hightower, who was acquired in the offseason from Arizona, led the rushing attack in a Week 1 win against the Giants, which is a role that Hightower is comfortable with. "I always want more touches," he said. "I'm selfish like that. I want to be the center of attention." Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said that Hightower's workload would be dictated on the impending matchup. “You never know. It all depends on the game plan,” Shanahan said. “It all depends on what we’re asking them to do, how much running, the length of drives. A lot of things go into making the decision when you take a guy out. The other thing that was impressive about Tim is how he blocked. He really stepped up and delivered some blows and did what you need to do as a running back to block those linebackers. He didn’t back down at all.”
Analysis: Hightower had fumbling issues in Arizona, which is why the Cardinals grew tired of him and dealt Hightower to Washington. Well, Hightower didn't cough up the football in Week 1 on his way to a game-high 72 rushing yards on 25 carries. He added 25 receiving yards. Hightower added that he didn't feel like he settled into a rhythm Week 1, so it's kind of scary to think what happens when he is in rhythm. The Redskins have Ryan Torain and Roy Helu in case Hightower falters, but heading into Week 2 Hightower will be the team's featured back. And wouldn't you know Hightower will be facing his former team, so you know he wants to have a big game. Consider Hightower a high-end No. 2 Fantasy RB for Week 2.
News: Redskins RB Tim Hightower found the end zone in his Washington debut against the Giants in Week 1. He scored on a 1-yard run in the second quarter. Hightower finished with 72 rushing yards on 25 carries. He added 25 yards on three catches.
Analysis: Hightower averaged just 2.9 yards per carry, but was facing a defense that allowed just four 100-yard rushers all of last year. What Fantasy owners should be most excited about is the fact that he got 25 of 26 carries in the game and looks to be in a monopoly in the backfield. Getting that many touches alone should allow him to consistently produce useful numbers. He'll look to continue the good momentum in Week 2 against Arizona.
News:Tim Hightower will make his official Redskins debut in Week 1 against a Giants defense that ranked eighth overall in the NFL against the run last season. Hightower will face the Giants for just the third time in his career. He was held to 21 yards on 11 carries in his rookie season with the Cardinals in 2008, but did manage to score twice in that game, and also scored against them in 2009 despite seeing only four carries for 9 yards.
Analysis: Hightower doesn't have much history against his now division rivals, but he has proven he can find the end zone against them. He'll also face a Giants team with a depleted linebacker corps and without one of the better tackling defensive backs in the league in Terrell Thomas, who was lost for the season. He should also be in line for a prominent role, something he didn't have the first two times he matched up against the G-Men. So while the matchup against New York does not appear to be particularly attractive, especially in terms of a big-yardage game (the Giants only allowed four 100-yard rushers last season), he should still be viewed as a viable No. 3 RB option in standard formats.
News: Redskins coach Mike Shanahan told NFL.com that RB Tim Hightower has separated himself from the pack and has likely won the running back competition. In his last preseason game, Hightower rushed for 56 yards on nine carries. He's scored a TD in each of the last two games and even busted out a 58-yarder last week.
Analysis: The news that Hightower will likely be the man in Washington gives his Fantasy value a nice boost. He seems to be fitting into Shananan's running style and could be in for a solid season with the Redskins. Hightower shared carries with Beanie Wells in Arizona, but with Ryan Torain banged up, Hightower is in the driver's seat in Washington. Fantasy owners should keep tabs on the other running backs to see if anyone makes a late push for the starting gig. Hightower should now be considered a solid No. 3 RB in most leagues, worth a pick in the middle rounds on Draft Day.
News: Redskins RB Tim Hightower was at it again for his new team in Thursday's exhibition game against the Ravens. He was bottled up a bit early on, but he kept pushing until he broke for a score. Hightower cut-back early on a classic stretch-play that coach Mike Shanahan made famous in Denver and he was off to the races before a second cut-back allowed him to edge out Tom Zbikowski in a sprint to the pylon after a 37-yard scamper. Hightower finished with 56 yards rushing on nine carries.
Analysis: Hightower has made plenty of noise since being traded from Arizona, and he's scored a TD in each of the last two games. He has shown superb burst in the zone scheme and his patience is allowing for big-time runs. Hightower busted a 58-yarder last week. Fantasy owners should keep an eye on the RB position battle in D.C., though it seems like the Richmond product's to lose at this point with Ryan Torain unhealthy. Hightower should now be considered a solid No. 3 RB in most leagues, worth a pick in the middle rounds on Draft Day.
News: The Redskins started RB Tim Hightower again on Friday at the Colts, and he rewarded them for it. Hightower's second carry was a 58-yard burst down the right side of the field, and his fourth was a goal-line touchdown plunge to end the Redskins' opening drive. Hightower had a 7-yard catch and 70 yards on six carries in just under one quarter of action.
Analysis: Just to give some perspective on the opponent Hightower was facing, teammate Roy Helu went off for 101 yards on 14 carries against the defense, with several carries against the Colts' first-team unit. So while it was great to see Hightower run well, pretty much anyone could have run well. The more impressive factors were that he started, was effective (imagine if he struggled?!) and worked at the goal line (two carries with one successful score). Hightower is worth picking between Rounds 7 and 9 as a good No. 3 Fantasy RB even though he's sure to split carries this season -- but probably not at the goal line.
News: Redskins RB Tim Hightower started and displayed the physical running ability that got him a good amount of playing time in Arizona before getting dealt to Washington. He totaled 44 yards on 10 carries against the Steelers on Friday night, adding an eight-yard catch.
Analysis: Hightower got the start thanks to Ryan Torain's hand injury, but it's clear that Hightower will push Torain for playing time this season, even if Torain starts. We've seen Hightower fall into the middle rounds of drafts, and as such he represents a very good value for prospective owners. We'd consider him a low-end No. 3 RB in deeper leagues and a quality reserve in smaller formats with that mid-round choice.
News: The Redskins listed newcomer Tim Hightower as their No. 1 running back on their first unofficial depth chart on Monday. Injured running back Ryan Torain was not listed as he continues to battle a hand injury.
Analysis: We suspect that Hightower won't ever hold down an every-down job with the Redskins but should be able to carve out a sizable role in the run game, including work at the goal line. Ryan Torain will provide the most competition for the job -- assuming he's healthy -- and rookie Roy Helu also could be a factor. Your best bet is to draft Hightower with a mid-round pick as a No. 3 Fantasy RB at best this year.
News: Redskins running back Tim Hightower is excited for a fresh start back on the East Coast after the former Richmond star was acquired from Arizona. Hightower will push Ryan Torain for playing time, but will likely be part of a tandem backfield similar to the one he played in the past two years with the Cardinals. Hightower said he's excited to play for coach Mike Shanahan, who has a history of producing 1,000-yard rushers, and believes the zone-blocking scheme suits him. "I'm a running back, and the Redskins run the ball a lot, so I'm excited," Hightower said. "A lot of the stuff I did in college with the zone schemes is pretty clear cut: going downhill and allowing the running back to be physical and really get into a rhythm. I like getting into a rhythm and getting in my groove, so I really feel like there's a lot of opportunity here for me."
Analysis: We suspect that Hightower won't ever hold down an every-down job with the Redskins but should be able to carve out a sizable role in the run game, including work at the goal line. Ryan Torain will provide the most competition for the job -- assuming he's healthy -- and rookie Roy Helu also could be a factor. Your best bet is to draft Hightower with a mid-round pick as a No. 3 Fantasy RB at best this year.
News: The Washington Post reports that Redskins coach Mike Shanahan might consider starting RB Tim Hightower this year after trading for him from the Cardinals. Ryan Torain is penciled in as the Redskins’ starter after he made eight starts last season and rushed for 742 yards and four touchdowns on 164 carries (4.5-yards per carry). But health is a concern since Torain has yet to play a full NFL season. Hightower, meanwhile, hasn’t missed a game in his three-year career. Last season, he started 13 of 16 games and tallied 746 yards and five touchdowns on 153 carries. In addition to durability, Hightower also offers versatility. “I like everything about him,” Shanahan said. “He’s a good blocker, an excellent runner. He’s been very productive. ... Just a guy that I’ve watched and I’ve liked.” Shanahan also said: “I think what Tim has done over the last three years speaks for itself, and what Ryan has done the last couple years speaks for itself. Ryan has some competition, hasn’t been able to stay healthy. We believe that we have a back that can do it all: He can run, he can pass-protect, he’s a third-down back. I feel good having him here.”
Analysis: Our view is that Torain starts, Hightower works on third downs and rookie Roy Helu is also in the mix behind both rushers. Hightower gains value with this trade, and he could start a few games if Torain gets injured. But if Torain is healthy, Hightower will play in a complementary role. He should only be drafted with a mid- to late-round pick as a No. 3 Fantasy RB at best this year.
News: The Redskins announced Sunday that they and the Cardinals reached an agreement to send RB Tim Hightower to Washington in exchange for DE Vonnie Holliday and a conditional late-round draft pick. Hightower is expected to compete for the starting running back spot.
Analysis: Hightower should be able to hold off rookie Roy Helu, but he will have a chance to compete with Ryan Torain for carries. Fantasy owners should keep an eye on what the RB situation in during camp and the preseason, considering Hightower brings different things to the table than Torain. The Richmond product has more receiving skills and big-play ability that the hard-nosed Torain. Hightower is worth a late-round pick right now, but he has the chance to be a solid No. 3 RB if he gets the majority of the touches in Mike Shanahan's offense. Stay tuned.
News: In a surprise, the Cardinals drafted Virginia Tech RB Ryan Williams with a second-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. But Williams wasn't surprised -- the 5-foot-9, 207-pound running back insists that when he came to Arizona for workouts and meetings, Cardinals coaches told him that if he was still around when they picked then he would be the selection. The Cardinals already have Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower on their roster, but Wells has never blossomed and has been prone to injury, while the hard-running Hightower was plagued by fumbles last season.
Analysis: Hightower is a restricted free agent but the Cardinals could still send him packing. Clearly, the Cardinals love Williams' ability and could use him in tandem with Wells for the foreseeable future. Hightower has some good skills and might help out another team this year, or he could stay in Arizona and give the Cardinals some really nice depth. One thing's for sure: He's not in a position to start and get 15 touches a game, and his role as a goal-line back is in jeopardy too. Hightower is nothing more than a late-round pick in Fantasy play.
News: Arizona RB Tim Hightower had a team-high 12 carries for 30 yards in Sunday's 38-7 loss to San Francisco. He would also catch two passes for 2 yards for the Cardinals. Between rookie QB John Skelton and second-year QB Richard Bartel, the Arizona offense couldn't get much going in Week 17.
Analysis: Hightower and Beanie Wells took turns this year as the main back in Arizona. Neither of them took advantage of their opportunities though. Hightower finished the year with 153 carries for 736 yards and five touchdowns. He underwhelmed Fantasy owners all year, which is why they should view both Hightower and Wells as No. 3 RB options at best in 2011.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower has just 53 rushing yards and one touchdown on 36 attempts in his last five games against the 49ers. He's made up through it as a receiver out of the backfield, catching 23 passes for 183 yards. Most of that came in a career-high, 12 catch and 121 yard performance back in Sept. 2009. The 49ers are normally pretty good at stopping the run -- allowing just 15 Fantasy points per contest to opposing team's backs. But with Patrick Willis out with an injury and a new coach, things might not be so smooth for San Francisco.
Analysis: Hightower was outshined by Beanie Wells last week, but neither have been very consistent for the Cardinals this year. Even with the 49ers being a mess, Fantasy owners shouldn't bank on Hightower too heavily in Week 17. Consider him a No. 4 RB option in most formats.
News: Arizona RB Tim Hightower barely got off the ground in the Week 16 win over Dallas on Christmas. Hightower only rushed six times for 23 yards in the game as Beanie Wells led the team with 47 yards on 11 carries. Hightower did make one catch for 6 yards. He did not score in the game.
Analysis: The starting running back Hightower was overshadowed by the younger Wells in the Week 16 game. That said, neither back really did much against the Cowboys. Heading into Week 17 at San Francisco, we expect more out of Hightower. That said, he's nothing more than a No. 3 Fantasy RB option, at best.
News: Arizona RB Tim Hightower heads into Week 16 on Christmas against the Cowboys needing 189 scrimmage yards for his second-consecutive 1,000-yard season. He would have been closer to that number had he not rushed just six times for 16 yards Week 15 in Carolina. The last time Hightower faced Dallas was in 2008 and he rushed seven times for 20 yards with four catches for 29 more in that game.
Analysis: Hightower rushed 18 times for 148 yards and two touchdowns two weeks ago against Denver, but the Cowboys are much tougher against the run than the Broncos. Dallas has allowed just one 100-yard rusher in the last seven games and just four touchdowns over that span. Fantasy owners will want to go with a more reliable option in this important Fantasy Week 16. Hightower is nothing more than a low-end flex.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower, who rushed for 148 yards and two touchdowns in Week 14, couldn't get anywhere near those totals in Week 15 as he ran six times for 16 yards and caught three passes for 12 yards.
Analysis: Owners who jumped on the Hightower bandwagon a little prematurely after his big outing last week have to be banging their heads on their keyboards after this disastrous outing from the dreadlocked back. Sure, no one expected him to match his totals from the Denver game, but this performance was way worse than any owner expected. In Week 16, Hightower will take on the Cowboys this Thursday, and he won't be worth using as anything but a low-end flex option after this week's disaster.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower ran for 148 yards and two touchdowns in Week 14 and will try to build on that performance in Week 15 when Arizona visits Carolina, who rank 25th against the run, allowing 132.6 yards a game on the ground. Both Michael Turner and Peyton Hillis have run for three touchdowns and over 100 yards against Carolina in the last three weeks.
Analysis: Hightower has two solid games under his belt this season, but the rest of the time he's been a crap shoot, especially as you never really know how many carries he's going to get alongside Beanie Wells. The matchup is great for Week 15 though, as Carolina is allowing an average of 23.8 Fantasy points to running backs this season, the third-most in the league. And with Wells a little under the weather, Hightower could see more carries than usual on Sunday. Consider him a solid low-end No. 2 Fantasy option for Week 15.
News: Arizona RB Tim Hightower rushed for a career-best 148 yards, including fourth-quarter scoring runs of 8 and 35 yards on Sunday against Denver. His total was more than his last three weeks combined (143 yards) and he did so on 18 carries. He was targeted twice by rookie QB John Skelton, but failed to catch a pass. Hightower now has five touchdowns on the year. Both his scores came in the fourth quarter as the Cardinals broke the game wide open en route to their 43-13 win over the Broncos.
Analysis: Hightower hadn't rushed for more than 100 yards in a game since Week 2 against Atlanta. The former Richmond Spider has put together back-to-back solid outings for Arizona, so perhaps things are changing. He got three times as many carries as Beanie Wells in Week 14, so one has to think Hightower is once again the feature back. With a shaky quarterback situation, the Cardinals will have to rely on the run more. Arizona faces the lowly Carolina Panthers in Week 15. Carolina isn't very good at stopping anybody, so Fantasy owners should view Hightower as a low-end No. 2/high-end No. 3 RB option.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower rushed for 81 yards last week -- his second highest total of the season. That other game came back in Week 2 against Atlanta. This Sunday, Hightower and the Cardinals face the Broncos. Denver has been allowing 145.2 yards on the ground this season, good for second-worst in the NFL.
Analysis: Hightower has scored just three touchdowns this season. He continues to share time in the backfield with Beanie Wells, but neither back has been able to set himself apart as the main running option for Arizona. It seems Hightower is the back getting leading on right now, but just two weeks ago he had five carry but gained no yards. Fantasy owners should view him as a high-end No. 3 RB option for Week 14 against Denver.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower was fairly productive in Week 13 against the Rams. Hightower rushed for 81 yards on 15 carries in the 19-6 loss and was able to break off runs of 23 and 32 yards against the St.Louis. However, Hightower did most of his damage in the first half. He gained just 14 yards on six attempts in the second half and did not score in the contest. Hightower also had one reception for 5 yards in the defeat and finished with 16 total touches for 86 yards.
Analysis: Hightower turned in one his stronger rushing performances of the season on Sunday, but still failed to reach 100 yards or score a touchdown. The Cardinals once again fell behind early in Sunday's contest and had to pretty much abandon the running game in the second half. Hightower continues to see the bulk of the carries for Arizona and will be looking for another solid performance in Week 14 against the Broncos. Denver has not been good at stopping the run this season, so if the Cardinals are ever going to have success running the football, it should happen next Sunday. Consider Hightower a No. 3 Fantasy RB heading into Week 14.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower failed to record a positive rushing yard for the second time this season in Week 12. He looks to avoid making it three games in Week 13 against the Rams. Hightower kicked off the season with 54 rushing yards and a touchdown against St. Louis in Week 1, but he also fumbled twice. Hightower has a rush touchdown in four of five games against the Rams and two of his three 100-yard games have come against St. Louis.
Analysis: Hightower continues to start ahead of Beanie Wells, but it hasn't meant much lately since the Cardinals haven't been able to run the ball with any effectiveness. It's mostly because they trail in games and have to pass the football. It hasn't helped Hightower that he has fumbled at costly times this season and that has irked coach Ken Whisenhunt. The Cardinals running game is a mess right now, so view Hightower as nothing more than a low-end Fantasy start for Week 13.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower could not gain a single yard in Week 12 against the 49ers and had his worst performance of the year. He carried the ball five times, gaining zero yards and did not post a reception in the 27-6 loss. Hightower had a long run of 5 yards but he was stopped behind the line too many times to finish with positive yardage. He was targeted three times by QB Derek Anderson but did not record a catch for just the third time this season. RB Beanie Wells led Arizona in rushing in the defeat, carrying the ball five times for 13 yards.
Analysis: Hightower had been used more often than Wells in recent weeks and while he received the same amount of carries as his teammate in Week 12, the production was not there. San Francisco shutdown Arizona's attack, or lack thereof, and controlled the game from the beginning. Fantasy owners have to be disappointed with his performance on Monday night and he might be in for more of the same next week against the Rams. St. Louis ranks 12th in the league against the run. When the two teams met in Week 1, Hightower ran for 54 yards and a score, with another 40 yards receiving, but he fumbled twice. Hightower is obviously a hard Fantasy option to trust at this point so consider him a low-end RB in most formats heading into Week 13.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower has been seeing more carries over the past few weeks and will face a 49ers defense in Week 12 that is susceptible against the run. San Francisco allowed Tampa Bay to run for 162 yards a week ago. They also rank 14th in the league against the run, allowing over 106 yards per game, and have allowed an average of 14.8 Fantasy points to opposing running backs. In four career games against the division foe, Hightower has rushed for just 53 yards on 31 carries with one touchdown.
Analysis: Hightower has seen the bulk of the carries in recent weeks with Beanie Wells banged up but he has not been able to produce much. He has 38 carries over the last three games with 140 yards rushing and one touchdown. Arizona has not done a good job running the ball this season and rank 30th in the NFL in that department. He should continue to see more touches in Week 12 but Wells getting healthy is not a good thing for Hightower's owners. Consider the 24-year-old a low-end No. 3/high-end No. 4 Fantasy RB against the 49ers.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower ran a team-high 12 times for 62 yards and caught three passes for 24 yards in a Week 11 loss at Kansas City.
Analysis: Even with Beanie Wells claiming to be back to almost full health, Hightower got the majority of the looks on Sunday. If the Cardinals hadn't been trying to come back from a pretty decent deficit for most of the second half, Hightower might have done even better in this contest, but he plays for a team that isn't one of the better units in the league. Hightower is likely to continue to see a decent amount of touches in the Cardinals offense, as Wells can't match his speed or elusiveness, but heading into Week 12 vs. San Francisco. Hightower should continue to be viewed as more of a flex option than anything.
News: The Cardinals visit Kansas City in Week 11 and RB Tim Hightower will have to split carries with a supposedly much healthier Beanie Wells in this matchup. Hightower has matched his season high with 13 carries in his last two games, and his Fantasy owners will be hoping he can match that total on Sunday and add more catches than he has been. The Chiefs give up an average of 19.3 Fantasy points to opposing running backs this season.
Analysis: Hightower's forte last season was catching the ball out of the backfield, but he has just five catches in his last seven games, which has to be a massive disappointment for his owners in PPR formats. With Wells back to what he called his preseason healthy, this game should give us a good idea about how Ken Whisenhunt plans on using his two backs the rest of the season. Hightower is certainly a risky play in Fantasy for Week 11, so don't use him as anything more than a low-end No. 2 or high-end No. 3 Fantasy back.
News: Arizona RB Tim Hightower scored on the opening drive for the Cardinals on Sunday, his first touchdown run since Week 2. Hightower finished the day with 13 carries for 39 yards and was the only healthy running back at the end of the game. He got the start because Beanie Wells was out with a swollen knee, and the LaRod Stephens-Howling and Jason Wright would both leave the game with injuries. Hightower was also targeted three times, catching two passes for 23 yards.
Analysis: Despite scoring his third touchdown of the year, Hightower still didn't have a great day. He has just 376 rushing yards and 87 receiving yards this season.He is still worth using in Fantasy leagues as he's the primary back with Wells injured. Heading into Week 11, Arizona travels to Kansas City to face a Chiefs team that has been allowing right around 100 yards rushing per contest. Owners should monitor the health of the other backs before making a decision on Hightower for Week 11. But if he's in line to get most of the carries, owners should view him as a viable Fantasy RB.
News: With Cardinals RB Beanie Wells (swollen knee) listed as a game-time decision for Week 10 against the Seahawks, RB Tim Hightower will start. Unfortunately, Hightower has never done too well against the Seahawks. In his last five meetings with Seattle, Hightower has 166 rushing yards on 43 carries and one touchdown. He also has 10 receptions for 51 yards in those games. Although, Hightower did rush for 59 yards on six carries against Seattle in Week 7, but he also lost a fumble. The Seahawks are allowing 112.6 rushing yards per game this season, but Hightower has never surpassed 60 yards versus them.
Analysis: Hightower has been struggling this year as he has 337 rushing yards and 64 yards receiving. While he ranks among the top running backs out of the backfield -- 72 receptions since the start of 2009 -- but has just nine through nine weeks of the season. The fact Beanie is banged up leaves Hightower as the most experienced back for Week 10. Based solely on Wells' injury, Hightower should be viewed as a low-end No. 2 RB option. He could also lose a few touches to LaRod Stephens-Howling as well.
News: Arizona RB Tim Hightower might get more touches in Week 10 against Seattle with Beanie Wells listed as questionable with swelling in his knee. Unfortunately Hightower has never done too well against the Seahawks. In his last five meetings with Seattle, Hightower has 166 rushing yards on 43 carries and one touchdown. He also has 10 receptions for 51 yards in those games. The Seahawks are allowing 112.6 rushing yards per game this season, but Hightower has never surpassed 60 yards versus them.
Analysis: Hightower has been struggling this year as he has 337 rushing yards and 64 yards receiving. While he ranks among the top running backs out of the backfield -- 72 receptions since the start of 2009 -- but has just nine through nine weeks of the season. The fact Beanie is banged up leaves Hightower as the most experienced back for Week 10. Based solely on Wells' injury, Hightower should be viewed as a low-end No. 2 RB option. He could also lose a few touches to LaRod Stephens-Howling as well.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower got the start in Week 9 at Minnesota over Beanie Wells, who entered the game with a knee injury. HIghtower carried the ball a team-high 13 times for just 39 yards. He did not catch a pass.
Analysis: For Hightower the 13 carries tied a season high. The Cardinals activated Wells, but were clearly not comfortable using him much in the offense as he saw just one carry in the first quarter. The Vikings kept the Arizona running game in check the entire game and there was very little opportunity for Hightower to break free. His longest run of the game went for 11 yards. Wells' health is still clearly an issue, so there could be another chance for Hightower to see carries in Week 10 against Seattle in what would be a much more favorable matchup. At the moment, however, Hightower is no more than an injury or bye-week replacement in Fantasy.
News: The last time Cardinals RB Tim Hightower faced the Vikings in 2009 he rushed for 50 yards on six carries. He might be so lucky to even get six carries in Week 9 against Minnesota this season. Hightower had a season-low one carry in Week 8 against Tampa Bay as Beanie Wells and LaRod Stephens-Howling paced the running game. The Vikings are allowing RBs to average 17.3 Fantasy points per week.
Analysis: Even though coach Ken Whisenhunt said Hightower would be a vital part of the Cardinals' rushing game after he named Wells the team's starting RB last week he sent a mixed message in Week 8. It definitely seems Hightower's fumbling problems have him in the doghouse. However, he might be needed to pick up the slack in Week 9 since Wells is hurting once again. Hightower is a low-end Fantasy option until he gets back in his coach's good graces.
News: Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt said RB Tim Hightower 's limited playing time in Week 8 against the Buccaneers was not a result of his fumble against Seattle the previous week. It was a product of the way the game developed. Whisenhunt expects Hightower to maintain a significant role in the offense.
Analysis: Hightower finished with one carry for 0 yards and one catch for 11 yards on Sunday and hardly saw the field. That doesn't bode well for Fantasy owners, however, both Beanie Wells and Stephens-Howling both banged up in Week 8, so Hightower could fall back into good graces with Whisenhunt during the week. Fantasy owners should monitor this situation closely heading into Week 9, as Minnesota as been allowing around 100 yards on the ground per contest this season.
News: Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt said RB Tim Hightower would still be a major part of the offense in Week 8 against the Buccaneers. He had no carries and no receptions through one half on Sunday, but finished with one carry for 0 yards and one catch for 11 yards. Beanie Wells was named the starter and LaRod Stephens-Howling also got more action out of the backfield than Hightower.
Analysis: Hightower has been fumble-prone in his career and it may have cost him the No. 2 RB spot in Arizona. With Wells and Stephens-Howling both banged up in Week 8, Hightower could fall back into good graces with Whisenhunt during the week. Fantasy owners should monitor this situation closely heading into Week 9, as Minnesota as been allowing around 100 yards on the ground per contest this season. Hightower should be viewed a low-end Fantasy RB option at this time as it is uncertain his role in the offense right now.
News: Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt said RB Beanie Wells will start Week 8 vs. Tampa Bay over Tim Hightower. “Tim is still going to get carries and be involved in all aspects of the offense,” Whisenhunt said. “He’s not going to just be a third-down back. … But (Beanie starting) is the way we’re going to go.” Hightower started in Week 7 against Seattle and led the Cardinals in rushing with 59 yards on just six carries. Wells got 14 carries and finished with 54 yards. Hightower did not see many carries after fumbling in the loss.
Analysis: It finally seems Hightower's fumbling issues have caught up to him. This might be a ploy by the coaching staff to get Hightower motivated and working on his fumbling issues. But it also could mean Arizona is ready to lean on Wells as a star back. Still, Wells is injury-prone, so Hightower is just an injury away from gaining more carries. In the long run, this move might hurt Hightower, but for Week 8 it might not make that big of a difference because the Bucs' run defense is awful. The Bucs own the 31st ranked run defense, so consider the former Richmond Spider a No. 3 Fantasy RB or flex option for Week 8.
News: Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt hasn't announced whether Tim Hightower or Beanie Wells will start at RB on Sunday. "There are things that each guy does well," Whisenhunt said. "As long as we're running the ball successfully, that's what's important." Hightower started in Week 7 and led the Cardinals in rushing with 59 yards on just six carries. Wells got 14 carries, but he finished with 54 yards. Hightower did not see many carries after fumbling in the loss. Still, his coach believes he is confident. "He's got to understand what he needs to do to become a better back -- and that's hold onto the football," Whisenhunt said
Analysis: Hightower averaged 9.8 yards per carry in Week 7 but lost touches late. That could be attributed to his costly fumble but he and Wells have steadily split carries the entire season. He has gone over the 100-yard mark just once this season and has not scored a touchdown since Week 2. Hightower can be a productive back when given the opportunity but the running back situation in Arizona right now is too close to call. Hightower should be able to decent numbers against the Buccaneers and their 31st ranked run defense next week so consider the former Richmond Spider a No. 3 Fantasy RB or flex option for Week 8.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower got the start for the sixth straight game in Week 7 against the Seahawks. The 24-year-old led his team in rushing, carrying the ball six times for 59 yards in the 22-10 loss. He also caught one pass for 3 yards. However, he did not receive as many carries in the second half as Beanie Wells toted the rock 14 times for 54 yards and a touchdown against Seattle's tough run defense. Hightower, who has a history of fumbling problems, lost another fumble Sunday. "That's obviously disappointing," coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "That's a concern and something that we will talk about with Tim. We can't live with that going forward." The 113 yards Hightower and Wells combined for marked the first time this season the Seahawks had allowed 100 or more yards rushing.
Analysis: Hightower averaged 9.8 yards per carry in Week 7 but lost touches late. That could be attributed to his costly fumble but he and Wells have steadily split carries the entire season. He has gone over the 100-yard mark just once this season and has not scored a touchdown since Week 2. Hightower can be a productive back when given the opportunity but the running back situation in Arizona right now is too close to call. Hightower should be able to decent numbers against the Buccaneers and their 31st ranked run defense next week so consider the former Richmond Spider a No. 3 Fantasy RB or flex option for Week 8.
News: RB Tim Hightower leads the Cardinals in rushing this season but might have a hard time finding room to run in Week 7. He will face off against a Seahawks defense on Sunday that ranks second in the league against the run, giving up an average of 70.4 rushing yards per games. Along with splitting carries with Beanie Wells, Hightower had not had much success against Seattle in the past. In four career games against the division rival, the 24-year-old has rushed for just 107 yards on 37 carries with one touchdown.
Analysis: Hightower has played in two more games than Wells this season but has played second-fiddle to the former first-round draft pick of late. He carried the ball just four times for 6 yards in his last outing and his numbers have gotten progressively worse with each passing game. He will face a Seahawks defense that does not given up much in the running game so Fantasy owners might want to look for a more reliable option. Hightower has not scored since Week 2 and should be considered a low-end No. 3 Fantasy RB or flex option for Sunday's game against Seattle.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower had his least productive game of the year in Week 5 against the Saints. He carried the ball just four times for 6 yards in the 30-20 win. He fell far short of Beanie Wells' 20 carries for 35 yards and was targeted just once in the victory but did not record a catch.
Analysis: Hightower has carried the ball 46 times this season for 239 yards and two touchdowns but has begun to play second fiddle to Wells over the past few weeks. After running for 115 yards in Week 2, he has registered just 72 yards on the ground and 49 yards receiving since then. The Cardinals have not been running the ball of late but will have a bye week to help get things straightened out before taking on the Seahawks in Week 7. Hightower has run for 107 yards off 37 carries and a touchdown in four career games against Seattle. Continue to view Hightower as a No. 3 Fantasy RB until he gets his stats back up.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower has had back-to-back slow games after rushing for 115 yards in Week 2 but will face off against a Saints defense on Sunday that does not stop the run all that well. New Orleans ranks 26th in the league against the run this season and has given up an average of 26 Fantasy points to opposing running backs per game. Hightower has started all four games this season over RB Beanie Wells.
Analysis: Hightower has carried the ball 42 times this season for 233 yards and two touchdowns. He has not scored since Week 2 but has been seeing more playing time over Wells recently. The Saints don't fare well against the run and the Cardinals will likely rely on their running game with rookie QB Max Hall getting the start. Hightower and Wells will likely continue to split carries until someone emerges as the go-to back so Fantasy owners should view the 24-year-old as a No. 3 option heading into Week 5.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower appeared to score on the Cardinals opening drive of the Week 4 game at San Diego, but the 22-yard run was nullified by a holding penalty on FB Reagan Maui'a . Instead, the Cardinals turned the ball over on an interception of Derek Anderson and they never got the chance to score a TD the rest of the game. Hightower finished the day with seven carries for 24 yards. He was also targeted once in the passing game.
Analysis: Hightower started the game, and carried the ball on the first two Cardinal rush attempts, but was never able to break loose. The Cardinals faced a double-digit hole nearly the entire game, forcing them to abandon the run game and throw more than they wanted too. In Week 5, the Cardinals play host to the New Orleans Saints, who allowed the Carolina Panthers to rush for 118 yards in Week 4. If Hightower remains the starter, consider him a No. 3 Fantasy RB in Week 5.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower will remain in the starting lineup Week 4 at San Diego despite RB Beanie Wells' strong performance in Week 3. Hightower and Wells both carried the ball 14 times against Oakland, with Wells tallying 75 yards and Hightower adding 40. Coach Ken Whisenhunt continues to strive for a solid rushing attack in Arizona, and he is off to a good start. The Cardinals have eclipsed the 100-yard mark as a team in each of the first three games; the first time the team has accomplished the feat in 12 years. The Chargers defense ranks ninth against the run (91.3 yards per game) and has not allowed a 100-yard rusher in three games this season.
Analysis: Wells twisted his knee towards the end of the Week 3 game and saw limited action in Wednesday's practice, but is expected to play in Week 4. We expect Wells to slowly take carries away from Hightower because of his big-play ability, but Hightower has shown the game-breaking characteristic as of late. He has runs of 70 and 80 yards in his last four games. He has never faced the Chargers in his three year career. Monitor Wells' status throughout the week, but Hightower is still a No. 3 Fantasy RB or flex option in most formats even if Wells plays.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower rushed for 40 yards on 14 carries in Week 3 against the Raiders. Hightower split carries Beanie Wells on Sunday and averaged 3.6 yards a carry. He also had one reception during the 24-23 win, but did not gain any yards on the catch. He finished with a combined 15 touches for 41 yards and did not score in the contest.
Analysis: Hightower finished second in rushing attempts on Sunday and will likely see a more diminished role with Wells returning to action. However, Wells twisted his surgically repaired knee on Sunday, which will leave his status up in the air for Week 4 at San Diego. Fantasy owners should continue to monitor the situation over the next week to see if Wells can play. If he can't, Hightower will likely resume the role of No. 1 RB and can be considered a No. 3 Fantasy RB heading into Week 4.
News: Even with Beanie Wells set to make his season debut, Cardinals RB Tim Hightower will still likely get the bulk of the carries in Week 3 against the Raiders. Coach Ken Whisenhunt said Wells is not in football shape yet and will be brought along slowly. "He's not in football shape," Whisenhunt said. "To think he's going to get 25 to 30 carries, that's not going to happen. He'll get enough. If it's the right situation, we'll see where he is." Hightower has 169 yards rushing with two TDs over the first two weeks of the season.
Analysis: The Raiders have not been very against the run this season, allowing 140 yards per game. With the struggles of Derek Anderson and the return of Beanie Wells, look for Arizona to try to get the ground game going. While the Wells will take some touches away from Hightower, he should still get the bulk of the carries. Consider him a No. Fantasy RB heading into Week 3 against the Raiders.
News:Tim Hightower had the single highlight for the Cardinals in Week 2 when he took a handoff 80 yards for a long touchdown run. Thanks to a big block by FB Reagan Maui'a, Hightower was able to scamper past several Falcons' defenders and fend off one last one en route to the end zone. Hightower's final stat line: 115 yards on 11 carries with the score, 9 yards on two catches, and best of all -- no fumbles!
Analysis: Hightower should be in for a third great matchup vs. Oakland in Week 3 -- assuming Beanie Wells is still inactive. If he's out, Hightower could end up with 20 carries and another 100 yards rushing with a score. We'll keep you posted on Wells' status this week if you own Hightower, but for the time being be happy with Hightower's performance through two games (215 total yards, two touchdowns on the season).
News: Arizona RB Tim Hightower should once again benefit Week 2 in Atlanta from the absence of Beanie Wells. Wells, who is out for the second straight game to open the season with a knee injury, was seen in sweatpants before the game and was not working out with teammates. Hightower rushed for 51 yards and a touchdown in Week 1 against the Rams.
Analysis: Hightower is going to get the bulk of the carries again Week 2 in Atlanta and the Falcons defense gave up 139 rushing yards to Steelers running backs in Week 1, which included a 50-yard touchdown run by Rashard Mendenhall in overtime. Hightower should get any touchdowns running backs would score for the Cardinals and is a solid start in any Fantasy league now that he's once again the main the man running the ball for Arizona.
News: With Cardinals RB Beanie Wells questionable for Sunday at Atlanta and considered a game-time decision (knee), it appears that Tim Hightower will again be counted on as the primary rusher for Week 2 against the Falcons in Atlanta. Hightower has made a more conscious effort to secure the ball in practice after losing two fumbles against the Rams last week, a pair of fumbled that pushed his three-year career total to nine. "It's not going to change who I am," he said earlier this week. "I'm not going out there passive or second-guessing myself, but I'm making a conscious effort to get better. That's a guarantee. It will get better."
Analysis: Hightower will face a Falcons defense that gave up 139 rushing yards to Steelers running backs in Week 1, which included a 50-yard touchdown run by Rashard Mendenhall in overtime. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Hightower score and do about as well as he did last week -- minus the fumbles. He's worth starting as a low-end No. 2/top-end No. 3 Fantasy RB in Week 2.
News: While Beanie Wells' status for Week 2 is up in the air, Cardinals RB Tim Hightower is concerned about how much playing time he is going to get on Sunday against the Falcons as much as his fumbling issues. "It's not going to change who I am," he said. "I'm not going out there passive or second-guessing myself, but I'm making a conscious effort to get better. That's a guarantee. It will get better." Hightower, who fumbled twice in Week 1, now faces a Falcons defense that gave up 139 rushing yards to Steelers running backs in Week 1, which included a 50-yard touchdown run by Rashard Mendenhall.
Analysis: Hightower really needs to focus on not fumbling because he is losing the confidence of the coaching staff with every football he puts on the ground. As soon as Wells is 100 percent that could mean less touches for Hightower. Even if Wells plays in Week 2, he might not be 100 percent, so Hightower should see a decent amount of touches. Hightower had six carries for 23 yards and one touchdown in a playoff game against Atlanta in 2008. Consider him a No. 3 Fantasy RB for Week 2.
News: Barring a setback, Cardinals RB Beanie Wells is expected to practice Wednesday in preparation for his Week 2 game at Atlanta. Wells was moving well Sunday but sat out against the Rams on Sunday because he hadn't practiced all week because of a knee contusion, which opened the door for Tim Hightower to start and put up big numbers. While he did score and total over 90 yards, he also fumbled twice against the Rams, including a crucial fumble in the fourth quarter that gave the Rams a chance to win the game.
Analysis: Hightower should retain part of the rushing workload for the Cardinals -- and he might even be the leading carrier on Sunday against the Falcons. But as Wells gets healthier, Hightower's Fantasy outlook becomes bleaker. Consider him nothing more than a No. 3/flex Fantasy option this week against a Falcons run defense that held Rashard Mendenhall in check for four quarters in Week 1 before yielding a long touchdown run in overtime.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower rushed for 51 yards and a touchdown in Week 1 against the Rams but fumbled twice with the second one coming with under two minutes left in the game. Hightower, who got the start after Beanie Wells as inactive, was stripped on a carry by Oshiomoghe Atogwe on Arizona's first drive also. He caught four passes for 40 yards while splitting carries with LaRod Stephens-Howling.
Analysis: Hightower ran hard in Week 1 but his fumbles were worrisome. He had his only two 100-yard performances of his career against St. Louis but was unable to replicate that success on Sunday. Fantasy owners might want to keep an eye on how he handles the ball as fumbles can be devastating to a runningbacks value. If Wells returns for Week 2 against the Falcons, Hightower's value will take a serious hit but if he cannot play, Hightower will be no worse than a No. 2 option.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower became the starter for Sunday's game against the Rams after Beanie Wells was listed as inactive. Without Wells, Hightower could see as many as 20 touches in Week 1against a Rams defense that no one's expecting to be stout against the run.
Analysis: Last season Hightower and Wells combined for 55 carries, 284 yards and three touchdowns with seven receptions for 54 yards in two games against St. Louis. Hightower had a pretty good chunk of those numbers and he should be in line for a big game against the weakish Rams. Hightower should serve owners as a low-end No. 1 Fantasy RB for Week 1.
News: With Cardinals RB Beanie Wells missing a third straight practice Friday, the chances of RB Tim Hightower getting close to all the carries in Week 1 against the Rams continue to rise. Without Wells, Hightower could see as many as 20 touches against a Rams defense that no one's expecting to be stout against the run.
Analysis: Last season Hightower and Wells combined for 55 carries, 284 yards and three touchdowns with seven receptions for 54 yards in two games against St. Louis. Hightower had a pretty good chunk of those numbers and he should be in line for a big game against the weakish Rams. If Wells is ruled out for the game, Hightower would serve owners as a low-end No. 1 Fantasy RB. We'll be first to know whether or not he'll be active this Sunday on Fantasy Football Today, 11 a.m. ET here on CBSSports.com.
News: With Cardinals RB Beanie Wells struggling with a knee injury that could keep him out of action in Week 1, Tim Hightower has emerged as a potential stud for Kickoff Weekend when his team plays at the Rams. Without Wells, Hightower would assume the majority of the rushing workload and could see as many as 20 touches against a Rams defense that no one's expecting to be stout against the run. Head coach Ken Whisenhunt hinted that he'd rest Wells in order to get him healthy for later in the season. Hightower had 141 yards off 34 carries with four TDs against the Rams in 2008 and 24 carries for 142 yards with one TD in 2009.
Analysis: Last season Hightower and Wells combined for 55 carries, 284 yards and three touchdowns with seven receptions for 54 yards in two games against St. Louis. Hightower had a pretty good chunk of those numbers and he should be in line for a big game against the weakish Rams. If Wells is ruled out for the game, Hightower would serve owners as a low-end No. 1 Fantasy RB. We'll be first to know whether or not he'll be active this Sunday on Fantasy Football Today, 11 a.m. ET here on CBSSports.com.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower rushed eight times for a game-high 62 yards as he started Saturday's preseason game against the Bears. He also caught one pass for 11 yards.
Analysis: Hightower didn't look great in his first two preseason games, but he got the start on Saturday and made the most of it against the top Chicago defenders. Meanwhile, backfield mate Beanie Wells struggled against backups. Hightower and Wells will head into the season as part of a backfield committee, and while Hightower might get a few less carries than Wells, he should get more of the goal-line touches and is worth drafting in all Fantasy formats somewhere around the ninth round.
News: Arizona RB Tim Hightower started on Monday night against the Tennessee Titans but it was not a performance to write home about. Hightower managed just three yards rushing on five carries while Beanie Wells had 19 yards on six carries. Hightower has started both preseason games and has amassed a total of 31 yards on nine carries.
Analysis: Hightower has done next to nothing this preseason but remains atop the depth chart for the Cardinals. Wells hasn't been much better and the entire offense looks to struggle now that Kurt Warner is just a memory. Hightower will lose plenty of work to Wells, but Hightower should retain his role of being a short-yardage/goal-line back. He's excelled there and is a candidate for lots of touchdowns, and he'll also work his way into getting around 12 touches per game. Consider Hightower a low-end No. 3 Fantasy RB worth a pick in the middle rounds of drafts.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower started and got all of the carries for the team's first two offensive series vs. Houston on Saturday in preseason play. He finished with 16 yards on four carries with a 6-yard catch. Teammate Beanie Wells played from the early second quarter into the fourth quarter and mustered up 36 rush yards on 11 carries and two catches for 8 yards including a two-yard score.
Analysis: Hightower looks like the guy who will start for the Cards this season, but that doesn't mean he'll land 20 touches a week. Hightower will lose plenty of work to Wells, but Hightower should retain his role of being a short-yardage/goal-line back. He's excelled there and is a candidate for lots of touchdowns, and he'll also work his way into getting around 12 touches per game. Consider Hightower a low-end No. 3 Fantasy RB worth a pick in the middle rounds of drafts.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower is still listed as the first-team running back, although Beanie Wells is expected to get a majority of the carries. Wells will probably get several starts, too, but coach Ken Whisenhunt still says Wells will have to earn that right. "Tim is versatile, he's tough, and he runs well with the ball," Whisenhunt told The Arizona Republic. "And we have a lot more information about Tim in different situations than we do with Beanie. The way we've set things up with our team, Beanie's got to earn that. Beanie's working hard to try to do that. That's what you want."
Analysis: The biggest improvement Hightower showed in 2009 was his yards per carry. He went up from 2.8 as a rookie in 2008 to 4.2 last season. Most of the teams in the NFL have two quality backs these days, but everyone realizes that Wells is a special talent and has the ability to be a gamebreaker. It's taking nothing away from Hightower, who could be a good NFL back but might never hit super stardom. Wells is the 36th most drafted player in CBSSports.com leagues, as opposed to Hightower being 99th, so owners are getting the same vibes. Look to Hightower as a No. 3 Fantasy RB or flex option on Draft Day.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower isn't conceding the team's starting job just yet, according to FOXSportsArizona.com. Despite taking a back seat to second-year back Beanie Wells so far in training camp, Hightower has shown some moves and broke into the secondary several times on Wednesday. “Absolutely it matters, I’m a competitor,” Hightower said, when asked if being the starter matters. “Competition always brings out the best and worst in you. (Wells) has definitely challenged me the last two years, he’s made me a better running back, and I hope I’ve done the same with him. “
Analysis: Hightower had 598 yards rushing and 428 yards receiving for a total of eight touchdowns. With Hightower and Wells feeding off each other, the Cardinals might use the tandem how they did last season. Hightower would see more time in passing situations, but both getting decent amount of playing time. As it stands right now, Hightower would be worth more in PPR Fantasy leagues, as he had 63 catches last year. In standard formats he is a solid No. 3 RB option.
News: The Arizona Republic reports Tuesday that Cardinals RB Tim Hightower continues to run with the first team during OTA workouts, although Beanie Wells is also looking lean and fast. The paper reports that the Cardinals could continue rotating those two as they did in the second half of last season: Hightower as the starter with Wells getting the majority of carries.
Analysis: We expect Wells to start with Hightower being used on passing downs, but both running backs will split time. Wells has the chance to be a solid No. 2 Fantasy RB this year with Hightower more of a No. 3 option. In leagues where receptions count, Hightower has slightly more value, but both running backs should be solid in 2010.
News: The official team website for the Cardinals reports that RB Tim Hightower continues to run first-team during OTA workouts. He is currently ahead of Beanie Wells on the depth chart, although the website speculates it might not stay that way when training camp starts.
Analysis: We expect Wells to start with Hightower being used on passing downs, but both running backs will split time. Wells has the chance to be a solid No. 2 Fantasy RB this year with Hightower more of a No. 3 option. In leagues where receptions count, Hightower has slightly more value, but both running backs should be solid in 2010.
News: Good news for prospective Tim Hightower owners: The Cardinals agreed to terms with free-agent Pro Bowl left guard Alan Faneca on a one-year contract, three days after he was cut by the Jets. Faneca has long been one of the NFL's best run and pass blockers, so his arrival in the desert is significant. Last year the Jets owned the top-ranked rush offense thanks in part to Faneca.
Analysis: The Cardinals were expected to be more run oriented than in the past following the retirement of Kurt Warner and the trade of Anquan Boldin, and the acquisition of Faneca solidifies that. Hightower will lose a lot of work to Beanie Wells this season, but Hightower should retain his role of being a short-yardage/goal-line back. He's excelled there and should remain a candidate for lots of touchdowns, and he'll also work his way into getting around eight touches per game. Consider Hightower a No. 3 Fantasy RB worth a pick in the middle rounds of drafts.
News: Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt said in an interview with CBSSports.com at the NFL Annual Meeting in Orlando, FL that he envisions the run game for the Cardinals to remain as it was toward the end of the season. He said that Tim Hightower will enter camp as the starter by virtue of his experience but that he expects Beanie Wells to push him for it. But he emphasized that both will play -- possibly a lot depending on how their pass game shakes out this summer. "We've been so proficient throwing the football that that's an area we don't want to lose, but some of it's going to depend on how our quarterbacks do," Whisenhunt said.
Analysis: The Cardinals have two huge question marks at quarterback in Matt Leinart and Derek Anderson -- neither one has a strong track record or the ability of Kurt Warner, whose arm the team leaned on over the past few seasons. With Leinart or Anderson starting at QB and Anquan Boldin off to Baltimore, the Cards' pass attack isn't expected to be as potent as it was previously, meaning that the run game could see more calls go its way. That's solid for Wells and Hightower, especially considering how they did toward the end of last season. Wells strikes us as the yardage beast while Hightower will see his share of work but also snare short-yardage touchdowns. Both have quality skill sets, though Wells is by far the more consistent runner. We see Wells as a middle- to low-end No. 2 Fantasy RB worthy of a pick between Rounds 4 and 5 while Hightower is a top-end No. 3 rusher worth a pick about a round or two after Wells.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower ran six times for 87 yards, including a 70-yard score on the first play of the game, and caught three passes for 27 yards in Saturday's Divisional playoff loss to the Saints.
Analysis: Hightower was worth a shot in Playoff Challenge leagues, but there was always a good chance his postseason wouldn't last more than a couple of games. Consider Hightower at best a low-end No. 2 Fantasy RB on Draft Day 2010.
News: Arizona RB Tim Hightower (knee) is active for Sunday's Wild Card playoff game against the Packers.
Analysis: Hightower is good enough to start as a low-end option in Playoff Challenge leagues, though he's not expected to see more than a dozen or so touches.
News: On Friday, Cardinals RB Tim Hightower (knee) participated in practice in full for the third straight day as he prepares to face Green Bay on Sunday. He should play in the contest, splitting carries with Beanie Wells.
Analysis: Hightower is good enough to start as a low-end option in Playoff Challenge leagues, though he's not expected to see more than a dozen or so touches.
News: For the second straight day, Cardinals RB Tim Hightower (knee) participated in practice as he prepares to face Green Bay on Sunday.
Analysis: From all reports, it appears Hightower is ready to go. The injury appears minor, however he still will split carries with Beanie Well, but he might see some goal-line carries.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower totaled six carries for 24 yards during a Week 17 loss to the Packers. His longest carry went 11 yards. Hightower also had two catches for 4 yards.
Analysis: Hightower finished with less than 10 rushing yards in three of his last four games. Although, he did have two touchdowns in his last three games. He also finished with eight rushing touchdowns on the season. Hightower did most of his damage early as rookie Beanie Wells was learning the ropes. Wells came on late in the season and that is why Hightower's numbers suffered. Unfortunately, it could be a telling sign of things to come. Consider Hightower at best a low-end No. 2 Fantasy RB on Draft Day 2010.
News: Cardinals RB Beanie Wells was limited in practice for the third day in a row Friday with a groin pull and is listed as questionable for Week 17 vs. the Packers.
Analysis: Wells has been red hot for Fantasy owners, but with the Cardinals heading to the playoffs regardless of their outcome on Sunday against the Packers, the team might opt to rest Wells so he's ready to go in the playoffs. If he's out, Tim Hightower would see all of the first-team reps, though it's unclear how many touches the Cardinals would give him; the Cardinals are expected to only give their starters significant playing time if it means a shot at getting the No. 2 seed in the NFC. We'll have the official word on Wells this Sunday around 2:45 p.m. ET, but don't expect him to see a ton of work even if he is active.
News: Arizona RB Tim Hightower scored another goal-line touchdown in the Week 16 win over the Rams. Hightower found the end zone on a 2-yard run in the 3rd quarter. He finished with just 10 carries and 32 yards. Hightower added two catches for 3 yards.
Analysis: Hightower has now scored rushing touchdowns in two straight games and has eight on the season for the Cardinals. That said, it is clear that he’s the second option in the running game behind Beanie Wells. Hightower does seem to get goal-line carries, however, and that helps his Fantasy value. Playing the No. 2 rush defense in the league in Week 17, the Green Bay Packers, we cannot recommend Hightower as anything but a low-end No. 3 Fantasy RB, at best.
News: For those clamoring for Cardinals RB Beanie Wells to start, get over it. Tim Hightower is still the starter -- but that designation is of little importance. Wells, who posted his first 100-yard game on Sunday against the Lions, will continue to get more reps if he hangs onto the ball. Wells had 17 carries at Detroit; Hightower had six (with six catches). The Cardinals like using both guys in a rotation but it's clear that Wells is the faster runner and thus the bigger threat to defenses.
Analysis: This combined with the news that the Cards won't rest their starters over their next two games suggests that Wells is good to go as a quality Fantasy option for the rest of the season while Hightower still serves a role. With the lowly Rams coming to Arizona in Week 16, Wells should be considered at least a solid No. 2 Fantasy RB while Hightower is fine as a No. 3 or flex option.
News: In the Cardinals' Week 15 win at the Lions, RB Tim Hightower scored on a run but had just 4 yards on six carries. His stat line was salvaged by the six receptions he had (tied for the team high) with 34 receiving yards. Teammate Beanie Wells had 17 carries for 110 yards with a touchdown and a 13-yard catch, so clearly Wells has taken on a strong part of the rushing workload for the Cardinals.
Analysis: Hightower has a great matchup vs. the Rams in Week 16 but is losing touches to Wells. Consider him a solid No. 3 Fantasy RB or flex option for his next matchup.
News: As expected, Tim Hightower (thumb) was activated for Week 15 at Detroit. He had been listed as probable on the injury report.
Analysis: A concern for Hightower is his recent fumbling issue, since they cost Hightower a lot of PT in Week 14 when he coughed the ball up against the 49ers. He gets a shot at redemption in Week 15, so Hightower has a little extra motivation to perform well. We like Hightower as a decent No. 2 Fantasy option against the lowly Lions in Week 15.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower (thumb) practiced in full for a third straight day Friday as Arizona prepares for their Week 15 game at Detroit.
Analysis: This thumb injury isn't going to sideline Hightower, so don't worry about that issue for Week 15. But a concern is his recent fumblings issue, since they cost Hightower a lot of PT in Week 14 when he coughed the ball up against the 49ers. He gets a shot at redemption in Week 15, so Hightower has a little extra motivation to perform well. We like Hightower as a decent No. 2 Fantasy option against the lowly Lions in Week 15.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower (thumb) was able to practice in full on Wednesday and Thursday as the team prepares for Week 15 at Detroit. Hightower, who has lost four fumbles, is looking to cut down on his turnovers. "You've got to try and put it behind you, but you also have to learn from it," he said. "One time? OK. Two times? Maybe. But (four)? I have to find a way to get better."
Analysis: The thumb injury isn't going to sideline Hightower, so don't worry about that issue for Week 15. But a concern is the fumbling issue since it cost Hightower a lot of PT in Week 14 when he coughed the ball up against the 49ers. He gets a shot at redemption in Week 15, so Hightower has a little extra motivation to perform well. We like Hightower as a decent No. 2 Fantasy option against the lowly Lions in Week 15.
News: Arizona RB Tim Hightower (thumb) participated in full practice on Wednesday in preparation for Week 15 at Detroit. He is probable to play in the game.
Analysis: Hightower will play in Week 15 but the question remains, how much? He seemed to lose his job to Beanie Wells early in the Week 14 game on Monday night against the 49ers due to fumbling issues. However, Wells later fumbled himself, and it seems the team could be back to square one. We like Hightower as a decent No. 2 Fantasy option against the lowly Lions in Week 15 but think Wells will be the better option this week.
News: Arizona RB Tim Hightower had one of his worst games of the season on Monday night during a Week 14 loss at San Francisco. Hightower rushed just twice in the game, both attempts coming in the first quarter as he started the game, and finished with 3 yards on the ground. He added two catches for 13 yards, both coming after the half.
Analysis: Hightower rushed twice to begin the game and immediately fumbled. He didn’t see another touch for the entire first half. Granted, the Cardinals were attempting to come from behind and were forced to pass more but Beanie Wells took over as the primary back and finished strong in the game, despite a fumble of his own. Hightower had been playing well coming into the Week 14 game but fumbles have been his downfall. The Cardinals play at Detroit in Week 15 and we figure the Cardinals will continue to start Hightower. That makes him a low-end No. 2 or high-end No. 3 Fantasy option because he’s still going to share with Wells. Stay tuned to the Hightower/Wells situation over the practice week to see if the Cardinals give any indication who they will start going forward as that could change each players’ Fantasy value.
News: Arizona RB Tim Hightower (thumb) is active for the Week 14 game on Monday night in San Francisco.
Analysis: Hightower was given seven fewer carries than Beanie Wells in Week 13 although Wells struggled with his opportunities. Hightower is not a highly recommended Fantasy option for Week 14 as he won't likely be too productive at San Francisco, which has a solid run defense. He has averaged less than two yards per carry over his career against the Niners, though he did total 121 yards receiving against them in Week 1, salvaging his stat line.
News: Arizona RB Tim Hightower (thumb) had been limited in practice for much of the week leading up to the Monday night game at San Francisco in Week 14. On Saturday, however, Hightower was able to practice in full and is probable to play on Monday night.
Analysis: Hightower was given seven fewer carries than Beanie Wells in Week 13 although Wells struggled with his opportunities. Hightower is not a highly recommended Fantasy option for Week 14 as he won't likely be too productive at San Francisco, which has a solid run defense. He has averaged less than two yards per carry over his career against the Niners, though he did total 121 yards receiving against them in Week 1, salvaging his stat line.
News: Arizona RB Tim Hightower (thumb) was a limited participant in practice on Thursday as the team prepares for its Week 14 game at San Francisco. Hightower got just six carries Week 13 against the Vikings, adding one reception for 8 yards.
Analysis: Hightower was given seven fewer carries than Beanie Wells in Week 13 although Wells struggled with his opportunities. Hightower is not a highly recommended Fantasy option for Week 14 as he won't likely be too productive at San Francisco, which has a solid run defense. He has averaged less than two yards per carry over his career against the Niners, though he did total 121 yards receiving against them in Week 1, salvaging his stat line.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower only had six carries vs. the Vikings in Week 13, though he made the most of them with 50 yards rushing. Teammate Beanie Wells had 13 carries though struggled with his reps. Unfortunately, Hightower also had a fumble in the game. He also caught just one pass for 8 yards.
Analysis: Hightower was the CBSSports.com Sit of the Week and didn't disappoint those owners who opted to bench him. However, many of his owners did not bench him and they're left with minimal production. Hopefully his play didn't hurt your squad; he'll be a candidate to sit again in Week 14 when he plays at San Francisco. He's averaged less than two yards per carry over his career against the Niners, though he did total 121 yards receiving against them in Week 1, salvaging his stat line.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower, who injured his thumb last week, is active for Week 13 against the Vikings. The injury limited him in practice leading up to the game.
Analysis: Last year, Hightower had five carries for 20 yards and five catches for 20 yards against the Vikings, and he could again get limited opportunities against Minnesota's stout run defense. Still, he could play a big enough role in the passing game to serve as a No. 3 Fantasy RB.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower (thumb) was limited for a third straight day of practice Friday as the team prepares for Week 13 vs. Minnesota.
Analysis: Last year, Hightower had five carries for 20 yards and five catches for 20 yards against the Vikings, and he could be limited to similar production on Sunday with Minnesota's stout run defense. And if Kurt Warner (concussion) is out in this game, you can expect the entire Cardinals offense to struggle with Matt Leinart as the starter. Arizona just doesn't have a favorable outlook this week, and Hightower is expected to struggle, so consider him a No. 3 Fantasy RB at best.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower, who was limited in practice Thursday with a thumb injury, has a tough matchup in Week 13 against the Vikings, and he's the CBSSports.com Sit of the Week. The Vikings are No. 2 in run defense, and only two running backs have scored against them this season with Ray Rice in Week 6 and Justin Forsett in Week 11.
Analysis: Last year, Hightower had five carries for 20 yards and five catches for 20 yards against the Vikings. He could be limited to similar production with Minnesota's stout run defense. And if Kurt Warner (concussion) is out in this game, you can expect the entire Cardinals offense to struggle with Matt Leinart as the starter. Arizona just doesn't have a favorable outlook this week, and Hightower is expected to struggle, so consider him a No. 3 Fantasy RB at best.
News: Arizona RB Tim Hightower was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday as the team prepares for its Week 13 game against the Vikings. Hightower injured the thumb Week 12 at Tennessee.
Analysis: Keep an eye on Hightower's status and hope he is OK. When healthy, Hightower is a low-end No. 2 Fantasy RB because of his ability to find the end zone and as a receiver out of the backfield. He has been losing carries to rookie Beanie Wells and has a tough matchup in Week 13 against the Vikings, but you still want Hightower to be 100 percent for the rest of the season. If Hightower is out against Minnesota then Wells would see an increase in touches, but none of the Cardinals running backs have a great outlook against the Vikings.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower injured his thumb in Sunday's game at Tennessee and was scheduled to have further tests on it late Monday. Hightower played the entire game against the Titans and finished with 11 carries for 55 yards, scoring on a 6-yard run in the fourth quarter. He also had three catches for 23 yards.
Analysis: Keep an eye on Hightower's status and hope he is OK. When healthy, Hightower is a low-end No. 2 Fantasy RB because of his ability to find the end zone and as a receiver out of the backfield. He has been losing carries to rookie Beanie Wells and has a tough matchup in Week 13 against the Vikings, but you still want Hightower to be 100 percent for the rest of the season. If Hightower is out against Minnesota then Wells would see an increase in touches, but none of the Cardinals running backs have a great outlook against the Vikings.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower, who ran for a season-high 110 yards last week but had gone three games without a touchdown, got back in the end zone Week 12 at Tennessee. He finished with 11 carries for 55 yards, scoring on a 6-yard run in the fourth quarter. He also had three catches for 23 yards.
Analysis: Hightower is still the main man in the Cardinals' backfield even though rookie Beanie Wells' role has increased in recent weeks. He won't have many more 100-yard games since the Cardinals run such a pass-heavy offense, but he's a good receiver out of the backfield and gets plenty of carries at the goal line. Normally, he's a No. 2 Fantasy RB, but he's more like a No. 3 with a tough matchup at Minnesota in Week 13.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower managed to run for a season-high 110 yards even with Beanie Wells playing a bigger role Week 11 at St. Louis. Hightower carried the ball 14 times and also had two catches for 15 yards.
Analysis: Hightower didn't get in the end zone and didn't play as big of a role in the passing game as usual, but then again, the Cardinals didn't do much passing in the second half with Kurt Warner on the sidelines. Because he gets most of the touches at the goal line and has established himself as a good receiver out of the backfield, Hightower remains a better Fantasy option than Wells. With another good matchup Week 12 at Tennessee, he's worth using as a No. 2 Fantasy RB.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower might continue to lose some touches to Beanie Wells, but at least he's going up against an opponent in the Rams in Week 11 that should give way for both of them to put up nice stats. In the case of Hightower, he has 141 rush yards in his only two games vs. the Rams with a touchdown in each. Hightower has also seen at least 15 total touches in his last two games overall, a trend that should continue into his next game.
Analysis: Hightower is a good enough No. 2 Fantasy RB or flex option for Week 11. Start him in that role if you don't have a better option on staff already.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower had 10 carries for 37 yards during a Week 10 win against the Seahawks. He also had five catches for 21 yards. Hightower has 153 rushing yards and 89 receiving yards in three November games. He also has one touchdown.
Analysis: Rookie Beanie Wells has started to round into form and is becoming a force in the Cardinals' backfield. That's not good news for Hightower, especially for his touchdown totals. But he is still a better pass catcher than Wells and will get at least 10-20 touches per game. Consider Hightower a low-end No. 2 Fantasy RB or flex option for Week 11 against the Rams.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower didn't score in Week 9 at Chicago but did contribute with 77 yards on 15 carries and an 11-yard catch.
Analysis: Hightower should continue to be used in Fantasy play as at least a top-end No. 3 RB in Week 10 vs. the Seahawks. He scored and totaled 58 yards against them earlier this season.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower, who had 12 receptions in Week 1 but no more than five in any game since, had eight for 57 yards Week 8 against the Panthers. He also had a touchdown for the fourth straight game and the fifth time in six games, scoring on a 1-yard lunge in the fourth quarter. He finished with eight carries for 39 yards.
Analysis: Hightower has a poor rushing average, but he hasn't lost his job to rookie Beanie Wells. He's by far the better receiving threat out of the backfield and seems to get all the carries at the goal line as well. He can sometimes disappear since the Cardinals lean so heavily on their passing game, but with the touchdown streak he has going, he's no less than a No. 2 Fantasy RB at Chicago in Week 9.
News: Arizona RB Tim Hightower scored his fourth touchdown of the season Sunday at the Giants, but he struggled as rookie Beanie Wells had the better game. Hightower was held to four carries for 9 yards and a touchdown and two catches for 11 yards, but he lost a fumble. After that, Wells came on and had 14 carries for 67 yards and his first NFL touchdown and three catches for 10 yards.
Analysis: We'll find out who will be the starting RB for the Cardinals in Week 8 against Carolina between Wells and Hightower. Whoever it is should be in line for a big game since the Panthers have struggled in run defense this year. But regardless of who starts, Hightower and Wells will each get their share of carries and have the chance to score. Consider Hightower no worse than a No. 3 Fantasy RB.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower scored a pair of touchdowns in Arizona's regular season meeting with the Giants in 2008. Arizona plays at New York in Week 7, and Hightower will be facing the league's 18th-ranked run defense.
Analysis: The Giants held Reggie Bush to just 24 total yards last week, and Hightower is a similar style back to Bush in that he does most of his damage in the receiving game. Still, you can consider Hightower a low-end No. 2 Fantasy RB for Week 7 because of his ability to get into the end zone. He has three rushing scores in his last three games.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower contributed a 2-yard touchdown run during a 27-3 win against the Seahawks in Week 6. He led the team with 13 carries for 32 yards. His longest carry went 12 yards. Hightower also had four catches for 26 yards. He is up to three rushing touchdowns in five games.
Analysis: Hightower has yet to break 100 yards in 2009, but at least he is still seeing goal-line touches and is technically the starter over rookie Beanie Wells. Hightower might not wow you with his stats, but at least he is a viable Fantasy RB on most weeks. Consider him at best a low-end No. 2 Fantasy RB in Week 7 against the Giants.
News: The Cardinals visit the Seahawks in Week 6, and Arizona RB Tim Hightower will be hoping a little better against Seattle than he did last season, when he was limited to just 38 yards rushing and no yards receiving in two meetings. Edgerrin James did rush for 100 yards in the Week 17 game, however. Seattle ranks 17th against the run in 2009.
Analysis: Hightower has done his real damage in the passing game this season, with 25 catches for 202 yards, and is only one of three running backs that lead their team in rushing yards and receptions. Hightower is clearly a solid No. 2 Fantasy RB for Week 6.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower scored his second touchdown of the season on a one-yard plunge in the first quarter Week 5 against the Texans. He finished with only six carries for 17 yards, once again playing a bigger role in the passing game, where he had five catches for 30 yards.
Analysis: Hightower now has 25 catches in four games, though 12 of those came in Week 1. He remains the primary option out of the Cardinals backfield, but the Cardinals rarely give him enough opportunities to accumulate a significant number of yards. He's at best a low-end No. 2 Fantasy RB for Week 6 at Seattle.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower, who had 61 total yards and a lost fumble in his last outing, will try to bounce back in Week 5 against a Texans run defense that ranks an awful 29th and has given up a league-high eight scores.
Analysis: Maurice Jones-Drew scored three times against the Texans a couple of weeks ago, so there certainly is the opportunity for Hightower to put up solid numbers in Week 5. Start him as a high-end No. 2 Fantasy RB against Houston and maybe even a low-end No. 1 in PPR formats.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower had nine carries for 22 yards and five catches for 39 yards and lost a fumble Sunday against the Colts. None of Arizona's running backs played well with Beanie Wells also limited to two carries for minus-2 yards.
Analysis: Hightower had the chance to take advantage of the Colts, who came into the game ranked No. 30 against the run. Instead, Hightower struggled heading into the bye in Week 4. Hopefully the time off will allow Hightower to get going, and he should be ready for Week 5 against Houston.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower had nine carries for 22 yards and five catches for 39 yards and lost a fumble Sunday against the Colts.
Analysis: Hightower had the chance to take advantage of the Colts, who came into the game ranked No. 30 against the run. Instead, Hightower struggled heading into the bye in Week 4. Hopefully the time off will allow Hightower to get going, and he should be ready for Week 5 against Houston.
News: In Week 3, Cardinals RB Tim Hightower will try to copy what Ronnie Brown did against the Colts last week as Arizona hosts Indianapolis. Hightower has 87 rushing yards and 133 receiving yards through two games this season, while Indy ranks 30th against the run after being waxed by Brown on Monday night.
Analysis: Hightower has found a way to contribute one way or another in each of his games this season, and maybe this is the week he does both in one contest. The Colts looked extremely vulnerable in Week 2, so feel free to start Hightower as a low-end No. 2 option in all formats this week.
News: Arizona RB Tim Hightower did not make 12 receptions in Week 2's win over the Jaguars as he did Week 1. Hightower only caught three passes for 12 yards. He did, however, lead the Cardinals in rushing with 15 attempts for 72 yards and a touchdown. Hightower found the end zone on a 1-yard run in the 1st quarter.
Analysis: Hightower carried just eight times for 15 yards in Week 1's game but there is no doubt he's been a large part of the offense after two weeks. He will lose carries to Beanie Wells but he'll make up for them in the passing game. He's not an elite Fantasy RB because he is involved in a tandem but we still like him as a No. 2 RB option and a solid PPR league player in Week 3 at home against the Colts.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower, who caught a career-high 12 passes in a Week 1 win over the 49ers, will take on the Jaguars in Week 2. Jacksonville allowed seven catches for 51 yards to running backs in a Week 1 loss to the Colts.
Analysis: The Jaguars will have paid close attention to what Hightower did in Week 1, and you shouldn't expect him to get nearly as many targets in Week 2. Still, he's a useful flex option, especially in PPR leagues.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower, who caught 34 passes last year, caught 12 for 121 yards in the season opener against the 49ers as QB Kurt Warner, who struggled with his accuracy, continually relied on him underneath. He ran eight times for only 15 yards.
Analysis: Hightower averaged only 2.8 yards per carry last year and didn't look any better in that regard, but the receiving is certainly a nice development. With Warner battling a sore hip, he might lean on Hightower in the passing game more than he did last year. Hightower has to split carries with rookie Beanie Wells, but he's the starting back and the better Fantasy option of the two. Use him as a No. 2 Fantasy RB at Jacksonville in Week 2.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower earned the starting job ahead of rookie Beanie Wells with a strong preseason, but both running backs could be worth using in Week 1 against San Francisco since Wells also will get his share of touches. The 49ers run defense isn't bad and did a good job holding Hightower in check last season (21 carries for 35 yards and a touchdown and nine catches for 49 yards). But in the season opener last year, former Cardinals RB Edgerrin James had 26 carries for 100 yards against the 49ers.
Analysis: Hightower should be great in leagues where receptions count, and he's even worth starting as a No. 2 Fantasy option in all leagues. Hopefully we'll see Hightower get off to a similar start like last year when he scored five touchdowns in his first five games as a rookie. Wells is also worth starting as a flex option in standard formats as both should share carries in Week 1.
News: Cardinals RB Beanie Wells won't start the season opener. Tim Hightower has earned that slot for two reasons: his good play and Wells' ankle injury. Given what Wells has shown coach Ken Whisenhunt in limited time, it may not be long before the roles are reversed. Still, Whisenhunt is fond of Wells. "He's definitely a guy who can contribute in the pass game," Whisenhunt said Tuesday. "And from what I've seen of him protection-wise, I'm comfortable with that."
Analysis: This isn't much of a surprise since Wells has been limited much of training camp, and Hightower has been impressive. You can expect Wells to still play a lot in the season opener, and both running backs will split carries. We like both as No. 3 option on Draft Day, and each are worth mid-round picks.
News: In the Cardinals' third preseason game vs. the Packers, RB Tim Hightower continued to look good this summer when he had 38 rush yards on six carries, including a 23-yard run. The sledgehammering rusher has 104 yards on 21 carries (5.0 avg.) through the preseason. He did see backfield mate Beanie Wells finally get some playing time, though, and Wells made the most of it with two touchdowns and 46 yards on seven carries.
Analysis: We still see Hightower as the safer Fantasy option at running back in Arizona, but Wells did show that he is capable of playing well when he's not hurt. At worst, Hightower will split reps with Wells and likely be the goal-line back. At best, Hightower will see the strong majority of touches including at the goal line. Either way, he's shooting up draft boards as a No. 3 Fantasy RB worth a pick between late Round 6 and early Round 8.
News: According to an interview done with The Associated Press, Larry Fitzgerald is well aware of his appeal in Fantasy football. "Every stadium we go to I hear, 'Hey Fitzgerald, you suck, but I really need some fantasy stats out of you,"' he said. "I hear that all the time." Fitzgerald went on to say that Fantasy players looking to figure out who'll get more carries between Tim Hightower and Chris Wells may as well stop now. The two will be sharing the ball throughout the year, Fitzgerald predicts. "Look around the NFL - everybody's doing the running back by committee," he said. "It keeps them fresher throughout the year as a team."
Analysis: Take Fitzgerald's words for what they are worth, but he should certainly have some insight into the team's offensive gameplan this year. Wells has missed time in the preseason due to an ankle injury, which could lead to him getting off to a slow start this season. However, the plan does appear to be an evenly distributed load between the two and Fantasy owners should expect the Cardinals to ride the hot hand. Consider Hightower a No. 3 Fantasy option on Draft Day with the potential to be a little better than expected considering the rookie Wells' questionable durability.
News: One bright spot for the Cardinals' first-team offense in Saturday's preseason game against San Diego was the running game, worst in the NFL last season. Tim Hightower carried nine times for 42 yards and caught one pass for 5 yards. "To add that to our passing game is going to make us pretty tough to stop," QB Kurt Warner said. RB Beanie Wells, Arizona's first-round draft pick, suited up but did not play. He has missed both preseason games after spraining his right ankle in his first practice.
Analysis: Hightower should start to draw consideration as a sleeper as Wells continues to miss time. We like Hightower as a No. 3 Fantasy RB worth a mid-round pick. The longer Wells is out the more comfortable Hightower will become in the starting role.
News: Arizona RB Tim Hightower got the start in the team's first preseason game on Thursday against the Steelers. He got six carries in the game for 24 yards with a long of nine yards. He also made one catch for a grand total of one yard.
Analysis: Hightower got the start as first-round draft pick Beanie Wells was out with an ankle injury. Hightower and Wells are expected to compete for carries this season, with Hightower likely getting more of the looks in goal-line situations. Consider Hightower a No. 3 Fantasy option on Draft Day with the potential to be a little better than expected considering Wells' questionable durability.
News: One year ago, Tim Hightower came to training camp hoping to make the Arizona Cardinals roster as an fifth-round pick out of Richmond. After setting a club record for touchdowns by a rookie running back, Hightower showed up this fall contending for a starting job on the defending NFC champions. "For me, it's the same mindset," Hightower said during a break from training camp on Thursday. "I had some success last year, but hey, I wasn't a Pro Bowl running back. My team didn't win the Super Bowl. There's so many different things that you can always improve on." In some ways, Hightower is no more secure than last summer. His tenuous spot on Arizona's roster was underscored when the Cardinals drafted Ohio State star Beanie Wells in the first round last spring. Unlike Hightower, who wasn't invited to the NFL combine, Wells came from a respected national powerhouse. Hightower said he welcomed Wells' arrival. "It's another challenge," Hightower said. "And that's what teams do. They're going to create competition. That's what brings out the best."
Analysis: The Cardinals' running backs often take a back seat on a high-octane offense featuring Pro Bowlers Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. But coach Ken Whisenhunt expects more from his running game this year, and he and his staff are keeping a close eye on Hightower. It's early in camp, but Hightower has impressed the coaching staff. He showed up at about 218 pounds, a loss of about six pounds from last season, and he said he feels quicker. Wells, meanwhile, was carted off from his first pro practice with an ankle injury, and he may be out until next week. "He's looked very good out there in practice," Whisenhunt said of Hightower. "But I think any time you obviously draft a running back in the first round, it really makes you focus on what you have to do because you know that there's going to be that competition there." Hightower finished 2008 with 10 touchdowns, most by a Cardinals rookie running back in a season. But he rushed a disappointing 2.8 yards per carry, gaining a total of 399 yards. We can see Wells and Hightower splitting reps evenly throughout the course of a game, with Wells getting carries on rushing downs and Hightower a factor at the goal line and on passing downs. Consider both No. 3 Fantasy options worth a mid-round pick, with Wells going higher in keeper leagues and rookie-only drafts.
News: According to The Sports Xchange, Cardinals RB Beanie Wells could be behind when training camp starts. Wells missed OTAs because classes at Ohio State didn't end until mid-June. Wells tried to keep up with everything mentally but most of the offense has been installed, and he missed valuable time, the report says. Wells is competing with Tim Hightower for the starting job.
Analysis: We can see Wells and Hightower splitting reps evenly throughout the course of a game, with Wells getting carries on rushing downs and Hightower a factor at the goal line and on passing downs. Consider both No. 3 Fantasy options worth a mid-round pick, with Wells going higher in keeper leagues and rookie-only drafts. You should draft Wells ahead of Hightower in seasonal leagues, but don't undervalue Hightower since he will likely be the one scoring touchdowns.
News: The Cardinals selected running back Chris "Beanie" Wells of Ohio State with the 31st pick overall in the NFL draft. The team was looking for a running back, and Wells was the last of the top three available when the team made its choice. Wells had 207 carries for 1,197 yards (5.8 avg) and eight touchdowns last year for the Buckeyes. He is expected to share the rushing workload with Tim Hightower in 2009.
Analysis: Hightower will likely be limited to around 10 carries per game, but his strong work at the goal-line last season should push him into that same role in 2009, giving him lots of use in Fantasy play this year. While Wells will be a middle- to late-round pick in drafts this summer, Hightower is more of a middle-round choice with potential for 10 touchdowns (albeit with limited yardage). He'll be a dandy in TD-only formats.
News: Arizona RB Tim Hightower was stymied by the Eagles' run defense in Sunday's NFC Championship Game, carrying the ball 11 times for only 33 yards. Edgerrin James got the bulk of the carries for the Cards in the game, with 16 carries for 72 yards. Hightower added a catch to his total for eight yards.
Analysis: Hightower seems to be splitting carries with James, but James has been the more effective runner in the postseason. Hightower had taken the job away from James in the regular season, but is now James' equal or subordinate in terms of opportunities. That trend will likely continue into the Super Bowl as the Cardinals will likely go with experience in the big game.
News: Arizona RB Tim Hightower was the team's leading rusher in Saturday's Divisional Playoff game at Carolina with 17 rushes for 76 yards and a long of 17 yards. Hightower is splitting carries in the postseason with the resurgent Edgerrin James who had 20 carries for 57 yards.
Analysis: Hightower only had six carries last week, so his role was expanded this week. However, getting out to a big lead did help get Hightower more touches in the game. Continue thinking of him as a decent option in Fantasy playoff formats now that he is getting some touches.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower, who had fewer than 10 carries in three of the team's last five games, had only six for 23 yards in Saturday's Wild Card playoff game against the Falcons. He did score a touchdown on a four-yard run in the third quarter, though. By comparison, Edgerrin James had 16 carries for 73 yards.
Analysis: Hightower took over the starting job from James midway through the 2008 season, but he finished with only 399 rushing yards, averaging only 2.8 yards per carry. Right now, James looks like the preferred option in the Cardinals' backfield, making him the more valuable running back in Fantasy playoff formats. Hightower has succeeded at the goal line, but he might have to compete for a starting job next season based on his performance between the 20s.
News:Edgerrin James, in his first extensive play since he was benched eight games into the season in favor of rookie Tim Hightower, carried 14 times for 100 yards in Week 17 against Seattle. Tim Hightower carried just three times for three yards. Ken Whisenhunt wouldn't commit to James being the starter against the Falcons in the first round of the playoffs. "I'm certainly not down on Tim Hightower," Whisenhunt said, "but we'll prepare for Atlanta and see what we feel is the best fit for us going forward."
Analysis: The Cardinals ranked last in the NFL in rushing entering the game and could use the spark that James provided them in the finale. Expect Hightower to at least be in a situation where he splits carries with James against the Falcons next week, making him at best a low-end No. 2 running back in Fantasy playoff leagues.
News: Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt said Monday that the team's first-string players will see lots of playing time vs. Seattle in Week 17. That's good news for Tim Hightower, since it means he'll see a lot of work in an effort to try and get his legs going, something he hasn't been able to do over the course of the last several weeks. Whisenhunt wants to end the regular season strong so that the Cardinals have some momentum heading into the playoffs. "We've worked hard to create something here, to gain the trust of a lot of our fans," Whisenhunt said, "and we feel like we've let them down the last two weeks because of what's happened here in the past."
Analysis: While we can't be sure that he'll be in on every single play against the Seahawks, chances are we'll see enough of Hightower where he'll get his usual totals. He remains a No. 3 Fantasy RB for his next game.
News: Arizona RB Tim Hightower had 10 carries for 17 yards Sunday at New England and two catches for 10 yards.
Analysis: Hightower struggled against the Patriots like most of the Cardinals. He should be considered a No. 3 Fantasy RB against Seattle in Week 17. He had 11 carries for 35 yards against the Seahawks earlier this year.
News: When the Cardinals get behind, RB Tim Hightower comes out of the game when they start throwing, and that should be the case this week at New England even with the weather expected to be terrible. Hightower only had five carries for 20 yards last week against Minnesota, and it's hard to imagine the Cardinals running well against the Patriots even with all their injuries on defense.
Analysis: Hightower does have three touchdowns in his past four games, but New England has only allowed eight rushing touchdowns on the season. Once again, you can expect J.J. Arrington to get more time on the field than Hightower because Arizona will be throwing a lot. Consider Hightower a low-end Fantasy RB this week.
News: RB J.J. Arrington could be sidelined for the Arizona Cardinals' game at New England on Sunday. Arrington, whose role on the team has increased through the season, has a sore knee. He sat out practice Wednesday and Thursday. Coach Ken Whisenhunt said he would take a conservative approach with Arrington. Arrington's absence could mean a bigger role for Edgerrin James, who was benched halfway through the season in favor of rookie Tim Hightower.
Analysis: Keep an eye on what happens with Arrington. If he's out, that would help Hightower get more touches and get James back on the field. But as of now, none of the Cardinals' running backs are worth using at New England.
News:Tim Hightower led the Cardinals with five carries and J.J. Arrington led the team with 23 yards on two carries in Week 15 against Minnesota. Arrington also had a team-high seven catches for 48 yards. Hightower caught five passes for 20 yards.
Analysis: The Cardinals came very close to rushing for the fewest times in an NFL game against a very tough Vikings run defense. The Vikings led 21-0 after one quarter and Arizona was playing catchup for most of the game. A Week 16 matchup in New England does not appear to be much more promising and Hightower should be viewed as no more than a low-end No. 2 option for that game.
News: Heading into Week 15, Kevin Williams and Pat Williams are expected to play for the Vikings, which means Arizona RB Tim Hightower likely won't get many yards when Minnesota comes to the Cardinals. That's been the case for him the past five games since he has 54 carries for 117 yards over that span. His saving grace has been scoring touchdowns, and he has three in his past three games. Minnesota has allowed nine rushing touchdowns on the season, but the Vikings are No. 2 in run defense at just over 73 yards allowed per game.
Analysis: Hightower's outlook would change if the suspensions start for the two defensive tackles, but right now don't plan on using Hightower this week. With the Cardinals expected to be throwing a lot, look for J.J. Arrington to get more time on the field than Hightower against Minnesota.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower ran for only 32 yards but did get into the end zone in the Cardinals' Week 14 game against the Rams. Hightower's 10th rushing TD is a franchise record, breaking the mark of nine set by Ron Moore in 1993. The 32 yards led the Cardinals who used the trio of Hightower, J.J. Arrington and Edgerrin James with limited success.
Analysis: The Cardinals like to pass the ball. Hightower didn't have one reception in Week 14, but did get the rushing touchdown. His appeal is his ability to get touchdowns as he has 10 of them on the year. He's a low-end No. 2 Fantasy running back for Week 15's game against the Vikings.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower ran for 109 yards and a touchdown in his first start this season against the Rams in Week 9. St. Louis has since allowed eight rushing touchdowns to Jets RB Thomas Jones, 49ers RB Frank Gore, Chicago RB Matt Forte and Miami RB Ronnie Brown, and the Rams come into this game No. 30 in run defense with 21 rushing touchdowns allowed.
Analysis: Hightower should get back on track this week after struggling the past four games with 85 combined rushing yards. He does have two touchdowns over that span, and he should find the end zone in this game based on St. Louis' recent history.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower, who entered with no more than 35 yards rushing in any of his last three games, had another stinker Week 13 at Philadelphia. He carried the ball seven times for seven yards and caught three passes for 34.
Analysis: Hightower now has a total of 85 yards rushing over his last four games for an average of two yards per carry. So much for him being the solution to the Cardinals' running back problem. He remains a threat to score touchdowns whenever the Cardinals get inside the five yard line, but he looks like a No. 3 Fantasy option even with the starting job. Fortunately, he has a nice matchup Week 14 against the Rams, so get him active.
News: The East Valley Tribune reports the Cardinals don't want to give up on their running game too early in games, which is good for RB Tim Hightower. Coach Ken Whisenhunt suggested maybe this is what happened in their loss to the New York Giants, when they tried to run early then shifted back to their passing game. The report says it wouldn't be surprising to see a few more runs than usual Thursday at Philadelphia. Against New York, Hightower had 11 carries for just 21 yards, but he scored two short-yardage touchdowns.
Analysis: The Eagles are allowing 99.7 rushing yards per game and six touchdowns on the season. Look for Hightower to get more touches, but he's also losing carries to J.J. Arrington. Consider Hightower a low-end No. 2 Fantasy option this week if the Cardinals are going to give him more touches.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower rushed 11 times for just 21 yards in Week 12 against the Giants, but he scored two short-yardage touchdowns.
Analysis: Hightower got almost all of the carries for the Cardinals, but could not do much against a tough Giants run defense. For those keeping score at home, Edgerrin James got just one carry and lost a yard. Hightower has not rushed for more than 35 yards in any of his last three games since running for a career-best (by a lot) 109 yards. Hightower is the primary runner for the Cards these days and has that going for him because it means he should get most if not all of the goal line carries. He does not have high-end potential, though and should be viewed as a No. 3 running back or 'flex' option for Week 13 at Philadelphia.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower had a team-high 11 carries Week 11 against the Seahawks, but finished second on the team with 35 yards. J.J. Arrington led the way with 40 rushing yards. Hightower's longest rush went 14 yards and he didn't have a reception.
Analysis: It was Week 9 that Hightower became the Cardinals' new starting running back and he followed suit with a 100-yard game against St. Louis. In his last two games, he hasn't even come close to those numbers. He has just 57 rushing yards and no touchdowns in his last two games. Arizona is committed to Hightower as their No. 1 running back, but Arizona is still more of a passing team. Also, inconsistency has to be expected from a rookie back. Consider Hightower a low-end No. 2/high-end No. 3 Fantasy RB heading into Week 12 against the Giants.
News: A week after rushing for 109 yards against the Rams, Cardinals RB Tim Hightower was given a tough dose of reality Week 10 against the 49ers. The rookie running back managed just 22 rushing yards on 13 carries. His longest gain went 12 yards. He also had six catches for 28 yards to at least get to 50 total yards. Still, he didn't have a touchdown Week 10.
Analysis: Welcome to the NFL rookie. After having a breakout game in his first start Week 9, Hightower came back down to the earth Week 10. Now, one bad game is not likely to get him removed from his starting role, but we need to expect a little inconsistency from Hightower. He still remains no worse than a No. 2 Fantasy RB heading into Week 11 against the Seahawks.
News: Hopefully the Arizona coaches don't feel bad for RB Edgerrin James and give him his job back because rookie Tim Hightower has proven he's ready for the starting job. Hightower started last week at St. Louis and ran for 109 yards and a touchdown. He looked like a proven veteran and is poised to establish himself as a starting Fantasy option. In Week 1, the Cardinals did a good job running against the 49ers, who they play again in Week 10. James had 100 yards rushing, and Hightower scored a touchdown.
Analysis: Hightower has a chance to achieve both marks since San Francisco allows 112 rushing yards per game with 10 touchdowns. The 49ers should be ready coming off a bye week, but the Cardinals offense is clicking right now, with Hightower finally energizing the ground game. He will be hard to stop on Monday night, so start him as a No. 2 Fantasy option.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower, getting his first career start, rushed 22 times for 109 yards and a touchdown in a Week 9 win over the Rams. He also caught one pass for minus-one yard.
Analysis: While all the speculation coming into Week 9 was that Hightower would be inheriting the No. 1 job in Arizona some time soon, no one was really sure it would happen this soon. Edgerrin James did not touch the ball in Week 9, so it's clear that Hightower is now the man in the desert. The Cardinals host the 49ers in Week 10 on Monday Night Football, and you know Hightower will be wanting to show the nation his skills. He should have plenty of value as a No. 2 Fantasy RB with that matchup.
News: The East Valley Tribune reports that the Cardinals could be making a move to replace starter Edgerrin James with rookie Tim Hightower. James, after suggesting he should be used more, only rushed for 17 yards on seven carries and lost a critical fumble at Carolina. Hightower, though not used much (six carries, 3 yards), ran for a 2-yard touchdown. Coach Ken Whisenhunt said, "I think we've shown we're going to play the players who give us the best chance to win. ... At a point where we feel Tim gives us the best chance to win, then absolutely. But I don't think you can judge it just based on (Sunday's) game." Whisenhunt suggested, though, that Hightower figures to get a heavier workload. Hearing this, James said, "That's the way it was heading anyway, so it's cool."
Analysis: Hightower already has more Fantasy appeal than James because he scores touchdowns even though James is the starter. The Cardinals have a great matchup Sunday against the Rams, so look for James to have a bounce back game if he remains the starter. Go into the game with James as a No. 3 Fantasy option, and consider Hightower a No. 3 RB as well. If Hightower is named the starter, he would likely become a No. 2 Fantasy RB.
News: Cardinals rookie RB Tim Hightower had six carries for 3 yards and a touchdown and caught two passes for 18 yards Sunday at Carolina. Edgerrin James, meanwhile, had seven carries for 17 yards and lost a fumble.
Analysis: Hightower continues to be the goal-line back for the Cardinals. This was his sixth touchdown this season, and he's worth using as a No. 3 Fantasy option or flex player in Week 9 at St. Louis. Hightower might not get many yards, but he could score again.
News: Cardinals rookie RB Tim Hightower does not have a good matchup Week 8 at Carolina. The Panthers may allow 107.0 rush yards per game on average, but have given up just three rush touchdowns all season (and one 100-yard game). Hightower has received at least five carries per week and seven in each of his last two games before the bye. He has five scores on the season.
Analysis: Predicting touchdowns is tough, but with the Cardinals' pass-happy offense expected to take control of the action sooner than later, Hightower's chances to score will solely depend on whether or not they get inside the Carolina 5-yard line. Figure Hightower, a low-end option, to be good for six points or no points this week, and start him as such if you have no other options on your roster.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower ran seven times for 20 yards Week 6 against the Cowboys. He also caught four passes for 29 yards. He didn't score a touchdown, however, for only the second time this season.
Analysis: Hightower has mostly gotten carries on the goal line, which contributes to his poor yards-per-carry average. Despite his touchdowns, he's more of a spell back than a goal-line back, but he gets enough touches to start as a No. 3 Fantasy RB. The Cardinals have a bye in Week 7, so don't bother looking at him until Week 8 at Carolina.
News: Cardinals rookie Tim Hightower had his first career two-touchdown game Week 5 against the Bills, scoring on a 17-yard run in the second quarter and a two-yard run in the fourth quarter. He finished with seven carries for 37 yards and two catches for eight.
Analysis: Hightower has mostly gotten carries on the goal line, which contributes to his poor yards-per-carry average. He's more of a spell back than a goal-line back, but he gets enough touches to make him one of the more valuable such backs in the league. He's a decent bye-week replacement in Fantasy, including Week 6 against the Cowboys.
News: Arizona rookie RB Tim Hightower is having a very nice first year thus far for the Cardinals. Hightower has three touchdowns over his first four games and has become the goal-line back for the Cardinals.
Analysis: Hightower faces the Bills in Week 5 and Buffalo is not nearly as good a rushing defense as Buffalo's Week 4 opponent, the Jets. That said, Hightower only factors in when the Cardinals get to the goal-line and that keeps him just a high-end No. 3 Fantasy RB. He's still worth starting in a bye week if you happen to need another option.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower recorded a 1-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter of Week 4's loss to the Jets. He finished with six carries for 13 yards while also getting one catch for five yards.
Analysis: Hightower has a touchdown in three of the team's four games this season and is stealing some goal-line carries from Edgerrin James, who scored twice Week 4. However, until Hightower becomes a featured back, view him as more of a Fantasy 'flex' option heading into Week 5 against the Bills.
News: Arizona RB Tim Hightower played a big part in the Cardinals offense on Sunday against the Redskins. Hightower led the Cardinals in receiving for much of the second half and finished with three catches for 38 yards. He also rushed five times for 23 yards.
Analysis: Hightower has impressed the Cardinals coaching staff enough to be trusted with sticking the ball in the end zone, and he's done it twice in three games this season. While he's unlikely to continue this pace, Hightower is worth using as a 'flex' option in deeper Fantasy leagues when Arizona visits the Jets in Week 4.
News: Cardinals rookie RB Tim Hightower ran 10 times for 24 yards and a touchdown in Week 2's rout of Miami. He also caught one pass for 20 yards.
Analysis: Hightower has impressed the Cardinals coaching staff enough to be trusted with sticking the ball in the end zone, and he's done it twice in two games this season. While he's unlikely to continue this pace, Hightower is worth using as a 'flex' option in deeper Fantasy leagues when Arizona visits Washington in Week 3.
News: The Cardinals gave the ball to rookie Tim Hightower in two of the most critical situations in their season opener. It was proof of how much the coaching staff believes in the youngster from Richmond, and so far he's succeeded in what's been asked of him. Hightower, who backs up Edgerrin James, gained only 13 yards in eight carries, but two of his attempts came on fourth down and were among the biggest plays in Sunday's 23-13 victory at San Francisco. First, there was his 2-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-inches, a score that put Arizona up 20-10 with 4:03 left in the third quarter. Then when coach Ken Whisenhunt decided to go for it on fourth-and-one at the San Francisco 27, Hightower got the ball again and ran two yards for a first down.
Analysis: Hightower, a fifth-round draft pick and the 13th running back selected, impressed the coaches in training camp, leading to the release of longtime Cardinal Marcel Shipp. Whisenhunt said Hightower stood out in goal-line drills during camp. That led to the decision to make him the No. 1 back when the Cardinals are in critical need of a yard or two. Consider Hightower a decent low-end No. 3 Fantasy RB in Week 2 against Miami. He could get a couple of chances to score against the Dolphins.
News: On 4th down and inches on the two-yard line for the Cardinals in the third quarter of Arizona's game against the 49ers Sunday, rookie RB Tim Hightower was given the ball. Hightower punched the ball into the end zone for the touchdown. Hightower finished with eight carries for 13 yards and caught three passes for 21 yards.
Analysis: Speculation had Hightower as the Cardinals goal-line running back over starter Edgerrin James and this play proves that is going to be the case. This majorly improves Hightower's Fantasy worth because he's got the chance to score every time the Cardinals get around the end zone. Heading into Week 2 against the Dolphins in Arizona, Hightower would make a decent waiver wire pick up in the 72 percent of leagues he's available in. We still only recommend him in deeper leagues because James gets the bulk of the carries, but he's one injury away from being the feature guy.
News: Cardinals RB Tim Hightower got 10 carries for 52 yards and a touchdown Saturday in a win over the Raiders.
Analysis: Hightower is a rookie worth keeping an eye on because Edgerrin James is 30 and on the downside of his career. If Hightower were to become the short-yardage back, that would increase his Fantasy value. Spend a late-round pick on Hightower and hope he can get on the field. In rookie-only drafts, Hightower is a second-round pick.
News: The East Valley Tribune reports Cardinals RB Tim Hightower seems likely to win the job as the backup running back to Edgerrin James. He could also be the short-yardage runner. With the departure of Marcel Shipp, the Cards can use somebody in that role. Hightower, coach Ken Whisenhunt said, reminds him a little bit of Jerome Bettis, the former great Pittsburgh running back, "in the way he sees the holes and picks his feet in the holes."
Analysis: Hightower is a rookie worth keeping an eye on because James is 30 and on the downside of his career. If Hightower were to become the short-yardage back, that would increase his Fantasy value. Spend a late-round pick on Hightower and hope he can get on the field. In rookie-only drafts, Hightower is a second-round pick.
