To me at least, splitting carries used to mean the kiss of death for fantasy football running backs (RBs), but is it still the case now?
No, but it definitely depends on the teams game plan.
Guys like Alvin Kamara, Phillip Lindsey, and Sony Michelle all split carries and their season turned out successful even while having to share their load.
Even Todd Gurley split his carries for part of the season and both he and CJ Anderson had multiple 100+ yard games while splitting carries together.
I just wanted to share/ remind people of possible changes to teams game plans and that they could still be solid choices.
First off, it sounds like Todd Gurley will be splitting carries with rookie RB Darrell Henderson due to injury concerns for Gurley. Over anything else, the real issue is over Todd Gurley's health more than the fact that he will splitting carries. We already know Gurley is a beast, it's really whether or not you want to take a chance on Henderson (I would for a late round pick) because at the moment given Gurley's injury history, their is real value for both in the draft.
Next, Another health related case for splitting carries has to do with the Steelers back James Conner. It's been said that they might be splitting carries between him and Samuels to lighten Conner's load and make him less injury prone. However, it sounds like Samuels would be handling a role involving a heavy amount of pass catching (similar to a Tarik Cohen-like role).
Another possible dual back role involves Joe Mixon. Apparently, without Mixon at training camp, the Bengals rookie back, Trayveon Williams impressed coaches. I'm not 100% sure this isn't speculation, but you never know
Then there is Damien Williams and Carlos Hyde in Kansas City. Where I assume the front runner will be Williams.
When Kareem Hunt gets back, Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt ( possibly Dike Johnson) For this Chubb will have the upper hand seeing as how Hunt will be suspended for the first 6 games.
For the Broncos there is Phillip Lindsay, Royce Freeman, and Devontae Booker. Lindsay is definitely the best of the three.
There are the Eagles who now have a lot of depth as well with Jordan Howard, Josh Adams, Corey Clement, Wendell Smallwood, Donnel Pumphrey, and Miles Sanders. I've heard Sanders (rookie from Penn state) is supposed to be the guy, but the Eagles always switch their backfield around. However for Fantasy expect Howard, Sanders, and Clement to be the front runners with Howard getting more goal line work (honestly you never know with Philly so I am not strong on taking any of them).
The Patriots backs are always split as well, but Sony Michelle is the guy to take early as well as James white in later rounds.
Any ways, the main take away is that a lot of teams are splitting reps between their guys now (or maybe it's just me and teams have been doing this for a while). So, if you are worried about guys like Gurley not being as good while splitting carries, don't be. Guys like him are going to get the ball when it gets tough, or when the team needs a yards or to secure a TD to win the game. They might not go overboard like in the past having 200 yard 3 TD games, but they should get the job done.