Dan Campbell's promise that Jahmyr Gibbs would see more work in Week 2 came to fruition, as the Lions rookie running back played 32 snaps (a 47 percent share) and had 14 touches (16 opportunities: carries plus targets).
With David Montgomery (thigh) all but sure to be out , and certainly limited if he somehow happens to suit up, Gibbs is lined up to be the unchecked lead back in the Lions' backfield in Week 3 against the Atlanta Falcons. Craig Reynolds and Zonovan Knight will see some work, as the Lions' keep a committee approach going, but they shouldn't stand in Gibbs' way as much more than vultures of goal line work.
On Thursday, Lions' offensive coordinator Ben Johnson said Gibbs "can do anything" that's asked of him.
"Yeah, Gibby can do anything,” Johnson said. “So yeah, we’ll see what all we ask him to do, but we feel very comfortable with him doing anything that our running backs need to do.”
Campbell had to admit Gibbs will see a larger role this week, practically by default.
"Gibbs is going to get more of a role and we’re going to do what we do.”
Fantasy Football Week 3: It's wheels up for Jahmyr Gibbs vs. Falcons
The matchup against the Falcons is not a great one, as they've allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points to running backs through two weeks (12.6 per game, Yahoo scoring, 0.5-point PPR). They have not allowed a touchdown to the position.
The Falcons are also toward the bottom of the league (as in stingiest) in receiving production allowed to running backs (seven catches for 43 yards, on 10 targets). Gibbs nearly equaled that passing game production in Week 2 (seven catches for 39 yards, nine targets).
In Week 1 Panthers running back Miles Sanders touch-volumed his way to finishing as RB22 in 0.5-point PPR scoring against Atlanta, with 18 carries for 72 yards along with four catches (on six targets) for 26 yards. In Week 2 against the Falcons, AJ Dillon (with Aaron Jones out) had a 76.1 percent opportunity share in the Packers' backfield.
Nothing that can foreseen should stop Gibbs from getting 20-plus touches on Sunday, let's say something like 15 carries with a strong dose of passing game work. Even in a fairly tough matchup, that volume paired with his explosiveness will push him toward finishing as a top-10 fantasy running back in Week 3.