Ito Smith Fantasy Stats

After losing James White (hip) indefinitely with a hip injury, the New England Patriots worked out four free agent running backs. The Patriots brought in Ryquell Armstead, Ito Smith, Artavis Pierce and Dontrell Hilliard. Armstead had a work out with the Washington Football Team prior to Week 3 and was cut by the Giants in the preseason. Smith is most known for his time as a backup running back for the Atlanta Falcons and suited up with the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings this offseason. Pierce spent his rookie season with the Chicago Bears in 2020 and was one of their final cuts this offseason. Hilliard has spent the bulk of his four-year career as a backup running back for the Cleveland Browns and finished his 2020 season with the Houston Texans. Regardless of if any of the four are signed, they can remain on the waiver wire. With White sidelined, Damien Harris will remain the top option in the Patriots backfield with veteran Brandon Bolden and rookies J.J. Taylor and Rhamondre Stevenson also seeing a piece of the backfield. Bolden led the Patriots backfield in snaps in Week 3, but the Patriots have plenty options and tend to change up their running game on a weekly basis. For now, Harris remains the safest Patriots running back to roster.

The Atlanta Falcons released running back Ito Smith on Thursday to make room on the roster for recently signed wide receiver/kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson. Smith totaled 689 rushing yards on 175 carries (3.9 yards per carry) and six touchdowns and added 55 receptions for 314 yards in his three seasons with Atlanta. On 63 carries last season, the 25-year-old had 268 rushing yards (4.3 yards per carry) and a touchdown. He also tacked on 75 receiving yards on 17 catches (26 targets) in the passing game. Smith was originally a fourth-round pick by the Falcons in 2018 out of Southern Mississippi. Patterson could be used out of the backfield in his new home, but he'll mostly be a depth piece behind Mike Davis and Qadree Ollison. The Falcons will likely address the position in the draft as well.

Atlanta Falcons running back Ito Smith (ribs) was a limited practice participant on Wednesday ahead of the Week 17 contest with the Buccaneers. As long as Smith remains limited the rest of the week, he should be in line to lead the Falcons' backfield yet again. The 25-year-old has averaged 11.2 touches per game over the last five weeks, though he's exceeded 50 total yards just once in that span. The Falcons' backs should be avoided against the Buccaneers' top-ranked run defense, regardless of who is the lead back.

Atlanta Falcons running back Ito Smith finished with 10 carries for 46 yards and one reception for five yards on one target in Week 16. Despite being the RB1 on the team, Smith wasn't all that explosive in this game. Overall, the back hasn't rushed for more than 46 yards in the past four games. He isn't a great start next week against a Bucs squad allowing the third-fewest points to fantasy backs given his recent production.

Atlanta Falcons running back Ito Smith is a flex play, at best, this week. The back has now taken the lead role for the remainder of the season, jumping above Todd Gurley II. Smith has had double-digit carries in two of the past four games and at least 36 yards rushing in three of the past four games. The presence of Gurley could affect Smith, though, so he's only worth a flex play in much deeper leagues against a Chiefs squad that is in the middle tier against fantasy backs. The Falcons probably won't have the luxury of staying balanced on offense, however, so fantasy managers should not bank on Smith seeing double-digit carries in this contest.

Atlanta Falcons interim head coach Raheem Morris said that running back Ito Smith is the team's leading running back right now over Todd Gurley II. Gurley will serve as Smith's backup heading into Week 16 against the Chiefs after he managed only 34 rushing yards in the last three games. Gurley had one attempt for minus-one yard in the Week 15 loss to the Buccaneers. Morris said Gurley's demotion is not about his knee and more about Smith's recent play. Smith had 65 yards on 12 attempts (5.42 yards per carry) and a touchdown when Gurley sat out in Week 12, and he's averaging 4.3 yards per attempt this year for 213 rushing yards in 12 games. While Smith is seeing more opportunities, Brian Hill is also being mixed in, making this a backfield to avoid, if at all possible. Smith will be a low-upside RB3/flex for Week 16 against KC.

Atlanta Falcons running back Ito Smith paced the team with 11 carries for 42 yards in Week 14. He also added one reception for three yards on one target. It was Smith, not Todd Gurley II, who saw double-digit carries this contest. Overall, the back has seen at least eight carries and gotten at least 36 yards in the past three contests. He's worth keeping an eye on, but Gurley's role as the RB1 on the team keeps Smith as a risky fantasy play.

Atlanta Falcons running back Ito Smith had 12 carries for 65 yards and a score in the Week 12 win over Las Vegas. He also added four receptions for 10 yards on five targets. Todd Gurley II did not play in the game due to a knee injury and Smith and Brian Hill took the bulk of carries. It was nearly an even split as Hill had 13 carries to Smith's 12. If Gurley returns next week, Smith would not be fantasy relevant. If Gurley cannot go, he would still be a very risky play considering the splitting of carries with Brian Hill.

The Atlanta Falcons have placed running back Ito Smith (neck) on the Injured Reserve, ending his 2019 season. Smith had barely garnered much of a role with the Falcons this year, aside from busting out for six catches against Houston in Week 5. Brian Hill will serve as the primary backup to starter Devonta Freeman, but Hill is likely to be used just as a change of pace back, with Freeman getting the majority of the touches moving forward.

Atlanta Falcons running back Ito Smith (neck) missed practice for the second straight day on Thursday. It looks like Smith will miss his second straight game despite having last week's bye to rest up. Smith had very little standalone value as Devonta Freeman's backup when healthy. Brian Hill will serve change-of-pace duties if Smith is inactive again this Sunday against the Saints on the road. Like Smith, Hill will just become a fantasy handcuff for Freeman owners in the short term.