Gore owners should pick up 49ers’ RB duo

As much as some fantasy owners wanted to avoid Frank Gore at their drafts, the San Francisco 49ers running back was hard to resist if he was available late in the first round or early in the second.

It's hard to pass on someone who had rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of his past five seasons and also averaged more than 400 yards receiving each year.

The only problem: Gore hadn't played a full 16-game schedule since 2006 because of injuries.

This year will be no different. Gore fractured his right hip Monday against the Arizona Cardinals and is out for the rest of the season.

He had scored only five touchdowns but was a consistent fantasy producer who touched the ball almost 37 percent of the time for the 49ers. That production will be missed by any fantasy team that has Gore and is vying for a playoff spot.

But there are possible solutions, beginning with Gore's replacements, veteran Brian Westbrook and rookie Anthony Dixon.

Westbrook had been somewhat of a forgotten player before Monday's game, with only 10 touches this season. But his 136-yard performance quickly reminded us of his glory days with the Philadelphia Eagles, when he was annually a top fantasy pick.

Westbrook always seemed to be questionable on the injury report -- often making him a game-time decision -- and missed most of the 2009 season because of a concussion.

But when he played, he rewarded fantasy owners in a big way. From 2004 to 2008 with the Eagles, Westbrook had 8,106 total yards and 53 touchdowns while missing 11 games, making him -- much like Gore -- worth the gamble on draft day.

In the preseason, Dixon looked as if he would be Gore's top backup. The rookie led the team in rushing in all four exhibition games, compiling 300 yards and four touchdowns.

The 49ers signed Westbrook on Aug. 18, but he remained the third-string back until Monday, when he got the ball 23 times. Dixon carried 14 times for 54 yards and a touchdown, but it was clear that Westbrook's experience gave him the nod.

The advice here would be to pick up Westbrook and Dixon if available. 49ers coach Mike Singletary suggested that 23 carries might be too many for Westbrook and that Dixon would also be featured prominently. Expect Dixon to get 40 percent of the carries, including those at the goal line.

Gore wasn't the only feature back to get hurt last week. Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson injured his ankle at Washington and is expected to be a game-time decision Sunday against the Buffalo Bills, making rookie Toby Gerhart a must pickup. Should Peterson miss the game, Gerhart could surpass last week's performance of 76 yards and a touchdown because the Bills have the NFL's worst run defense.

The Indianapolis Colts, who have the NFL's fourth-worst run defense, host the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.

Felix Jones has moved into the feature back role for Dallas and should fare well, making him a good start. Teammate Tashard Choice might be a good waiver-wire pickup because Marion Barber will miss the game with a strained calf. Choice has only 14 carries this season but scored last week on a goal-line attempt.

Carolina's Jonathan Stewart came back last week and rushed for 98 yards on 12 carries, but Mike Goodson was still the feature back with 14 carries and a touchdown. Goodson was also the Panthers' leading receiver with 81 yards on eight receptions.

Because Goodson provides a safety net for quarterback Jimmy Clausen, he can be counted on for Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks even with Stewart back. Goodson has 400 total yards in his past three games but is still available in many leagues.

Micah Roberts is a former Las Vegas sports book director who covers all sports for multiple publications. He can be reached at MM.Roberts7@gmail.com.