Evan Royster to get starting nod for the Washington Redskins

With Tim Hightower atop the depth chart for the Washington Redskins but still nursing an ailing ACL injury, Evan Royster will get the starting nod for the Washington Redskins this week as they take on the Buffalo Bills. Royster will get the start but second-year running back Roy Helu will get just as many carries for the Redskins according to head coach Mike Shanahan.

Both backs saw action for the Redskins last season. Helu rushed for 640 yards and two scores will Royster recorded 328 yards on just 56 carries.

Fantasy implications- I read nothing into the Redskins giving the starting nod to Royster over Helu in the season’s first exhibition game. If you have played fantasy football for a few seasons, you know that Mike Shanahan and his running back situation will drive you crazy as a fantasy owner. I have thought all along that Helu was the best fit for the style of offense that Shanahan employs, but he just can’t seem to get that starting gig down.

The addition of Robert Griffin III should help the Redskins running game this season. His mobility is going to be able to open up some running lanes this season, something Rex Grossman and John Beck were unable to do. Remember too, that at the end of July, the Redskins were internally discussing the possibility of adding veteran free agent Cedric Benson to the roster.