Here we go again. More questions than answers seems to be the ongoing theme, and we are at it again. Take a spin through our top-15 running backs entering Week 8 of the NFL season. And then, we can see how much things will continue to change on a weekly basis. Spoiler alert, it’s a lot.
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Running Backs 15-11Sep 13, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love (4) reacts after the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)15. Jeremiyah Love, Arizona Cardinals
Love has now missed the last two games with an ankle injury. While he’s expected back in practice, it’s still unclear if Love will return to game action this week or next. The Arizona backfield has become more crowded with Tyler Allgeier and Bam Knight, but a healthy Love will lead the way. Hopefully he can take the field as it is a good matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.
14. D’Andre Swift, Chicago Bears
The potential return of Kyle Monangai could be a problem, but Swift continues to find success out of Chicago’s backfield. He’s had at least four receptions in each of the last three weeks and rushed for his seventh touchdown of the season on Sunday.
13. Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders
This isn’t going to work from a running perspective. Jeanty keeps on going backward, and in Week 7 it meant eight carries for 15 yards. However, eight catches for 61 yards and a touchdown certainly changed the narrative. There’s some real concern about Jeanty’s ability to generate success on the ground.
12. Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay leaned on Irving last week, and they were rewarded. He gained 106 yards on 22 carries, with the big takeaway being his two touchdowns. There’s no questioning his role in the Buccaneers’ offense, and it’s another favorable matchup this week against the Atlanta Falcons.
11. Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers
Blame the game flow. As the Panthers got blown out in Week 7, Hubbard only carried the ball seven times. He did gain 33 yards while adding four catches for 27 yards, so while that’s not spectacular, it’s hard to find fault given the situation. Hubbard continues to be the lead back for Carolina, and he has a good matchup against the Green Bay Packers this week.
Top 10 Running BacksSep 27, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) runs during the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)10. Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers
At this point, Warren is going to be the story of the season. He rushed for 101 yards on Sunday which was his third time over the century mark while averaging 5.5 yards per carry overall. He’s a capable receiver with 24 catches for 294 yards, with the only knock being two total touchdowns.
9. Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys
Just keep on getting to the end zone. Williams is up to eight touchdowns on the season as he only went scoreless in Week 2. He was busy in Week 7 with a season high of 25 carries for 155 yards. You know what you going to get here, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
8. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams
Send Blake Corum back to the bench instead of keeping on feeding Williams. He rushed for his fifth touchdown of the season in Week 7 while averaging 6.2 yards per carry on his way to 99 yards. Williams is just about halfway to another 1,000-yard season in 2026.
7. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
There was a hamstring scare for McCaffrey last week, but when healthy, he was good. McCaffrey also returned to action, so there shouldn’t be any issues after his sixth straight week with a rushing touchdown while adding six catches for 61 yards.
6. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens
With seven touchdowns already this season, no one is concerned about Henry, but it’s not great that he’s now gone three straight weeks without a touchdown. We know what we are going to get from Henry, and that’s volume, as he’s up to 579 rushing yards despite averaging 3.9 yards per carry.
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Top 5 Running BacksIndianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) takes off on a run Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, during the game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)5. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
The trade rumors around Taylor will begin to buzz, but it’s to no fault of his own. He rushed for his eighth touchdown and has just two games in which he failed to reach the end zone this season. His 4.2 yards per carry might not be eye-popping, but no one is going to argue with 587 rushing yards.
4. James Cook, Buffalo Bills
Cook is already up to 627 rushing yards, 5.4 yards per carry, and six touchdowns on the season. That more than makes up for the fact that he only has 10 catches of the season. Coming off his bye week, Cook should be ready, willing, and able to pick right back up where he left off in Week 8.
3. Kenneth Walker, Kansas City Chiefs
It was a rough homecoming for Walker as he managed just 36 rushing yards on 14 carries while catching four passes for 21 yards. As a whole, it was a rough game for the Chiefs in what’s otherwise been a banner year for Walker. Things should get a lot better this week as Walker faces a Broncos team that he rushed for 175 yards against in Week 1.
2. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
It was two straight games in which Robinson didn’t do much from a rushing perspective, 63 yards on 20 carries, but I wouldn’t sound any alarms. Robinson did catch five passes for 59 yards, and even if he’s gone three weeks without a touchdown, he’s still highly involved in Atlanta’s offense.
1. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
Yes, Gibbs didn’t get into the end zone last week, but I’m not going to hold it against him. He gained 116 yards on 29 carries while also catching five passes for another 27 yards. It was another strong week for the running back who continues to excel this season.
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