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Fantasy Football Week 5 Waiver Wire: Chris Ogbonnaya Is Worth a Look In PPR Leagues

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By @bradberreman24

Chris Ogbonnaya, Fantasy Football Waiver Wire, Carolina Panthers

Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The Carolina Panthers have been hit by injuries at running back early this season, with DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart and Mike Tolbert all missing time thus far. Williams was able to return on Sunday after missing two games with a hamstring issue, but an ankle injury suffered in the first half against the Baltimore Ravens has him facing an extended absence.

The Panthers had Chris Ogbonnaya in for a workout last week, and they signed the former Cleveland Browns’ running back on Monday. Ogbonnaya had the same number of catches and carries (48) with the Browns last year, so he looks likely to at least have a role on passing downs in Week 5 against the Chicago Bears and perhaps beyond.

After allowing the second-most fantasy points to running backs in 2013 (22.5 per game, ESPN scoring), the Bears are in the top half of the league against the position through four games (15.5 fantasy points per game) this season. Eddie Lacy did not have a big game against them in Week 4 (17 carries for 48 yards and a touchdown, one catch for 11 yards), but Chicago allowed 4.9 yards per carry and 5.3 receptions per game to running backs over their first three games.

Ogbonnaya may step into a lead role in a three-way backfield committee for the Panthers, with Darrin Reaves and Fozzy Whittaker also in the mix over the next few games. That depletes the fantasy value of all involved, due to the unpredictability of the situation, but Ogbonnaya’s potential as a pass catcher makes him stand out some.

After Week 5, four of Carolina’s next six opponents (Week 6-Week 11) are in the bottom-10 of the league against running backs (ESPN scoring) coming into this week. Week 6 (Cincinnati Bengals) and Week 8 (Seattle Seahawks) are the difficult matchups in that stretch, but Ogbonnaya could carry fantasy value for a solid stretch of games if the Panthers need to keep him around.

Ogbonnaya is far from an immediate must-add in all fantasy leagues, due to questions over how long he will sustain any semblance of value. But for right now he is worth a look in PPR leagues, and well worth adding as a depth option in that format.

Brad Berreman is a Columnist at Rant Sports.com. Follow him on Twitter. 

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