Tim Hightower Fantasy Stats

The San Francisco 49ers released a few veteran players Friday, including running back Tim Hightower. Hightower attempted to win his spot on the team in the fourth preseason game but failed to do so. He should be monitored to see if he finds a landing spot with a running back-needy team, but he should not be on any fantasy rosters until that happens. Hightower is also a safe dynasty cut in addition to waiver wire fodder in redraft leagues.

The San Francisco 49ers have a few roster choices left heading into the final week of the preseason, and one of them will be at running back. Tim Hightower is battling with Raheem Mostert for the final running back roster spot behind starter Carlos Hyde. Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee believes "...Tim Hightower is the choice if they opt for experience," and expects Hightower to play extensively in the 49ers game against the Chargers. Hightower is nothing more than a name to be kept on the waiver wire in all formats until he secures a roster spot.

San Francisco 49ers running back Tim Hightower saw the first snaps at running back in practice Monday instead of Carlos Hyde. Hyde replaced Hightower on the next snap and promptly fumbled. All offseason we wondered if Hyde was a good fit for new head coach Kyle Shanahan's zone-blocking system, but he showed up to camp in excellent shape and received praise from Shanahan himself. Hightower won't go away, though, and his experience in Shanahan's system in Washington might give him a leg up for touches eventually. The veteran Hightower is also facing competition from Joe Williams as the backup to Hyde. This running back situation is certainly one to watch as camp and the preseason unfold, but right now Hightower is nothing more than a late-round handcuff option for those that take a chance on Hyde.

Tim Hightower seemed to be nothing more than veteran depth at the running back position in New Orleans, but midway through the year he emerged as a strong fantasy waiver option. Hightower only carried the ball 19 times for 87 yards in the Saints' first six games. Fortune then struck, as he took advantage of Mark Ingram's fumbling problems to carry the ball 26 times for 102 yards against a tough Seattle defense. He followed that up with 87 yards and a touchdown next game against San Francisco. Hightower stayed part of the ground game, seeing nearly equal snaps with Ingram, although his production fluctuated wildly. It's not clear whether he was being phased out or simply rested in favor of Ingram so that the starter could reach some desired milestones in Week 17, but Hightower saw just three rush attempts against Atlanta. Like any player in Sean Payton's offense, he has value when he is on the field, but his role is unclear going ahead. Hightower is unlikely to become a starter unless injuries or fumbling issues create an opening once again. He could be a deep-league handcuff for 2017, but is best left as a waiver pickup again.

Tim Hightower followed up a two-TD performance in Week 15 with a nearly invisible game in Week 16. Hightower went for a total of 40 yards and saw Mark Ingram take his turn to score twice against the Bucs. Hightower was only on the field for 18 snaps after enjoying nearly equal playing time with Ingram over the past month. He still has some flex appeal next week, but is far from a sure thing to produce fantasy points as the Saints are up-and-down with RB usage.

Tim Hightower out-carried backfield mate Mark Ingram 15-14, although he wound up with just 51 rushing yards compared to Ingram's 146. He did some damage as a receiver, however, catching a surprising 50-yard TD from receiver Willie Snead. Hightower has now collected at least 100 total yards in four of the last five games. The touchdown was only his second of the season. He is still worth flex consideration, especially in PPR leagues.

Tim Hightower saw a big workload for the second straight week, rushing 23 times for 87 yards. He also found the end zone early in the game and caught one pass for 15 yards. With two consecutive games over 100 total yards and a TD, Hightower should remain a part of the Saints backfield despite Mark Ingram's huge game. Next week will be a challenge against the Broncos, placing him on the lower end of the flex rankings.

Tim Hightower impressed with 102 rushing yards on 26 carries last week after taking over for Mark Ingram. Sean Payton has already said that Hightower will "definitely get more carries" going forward. Expected to lead the team this week at least, Hightower makes for a must-add against the horrific 49ers run defense. While no other team has allowed 1,000 yards to opposing rushers, San Fran has given up 1,139 yards on the ground along with 10 TDs. Ingram will work his way back at some point and should see carries this week, but Hightower should be the lead dog and is worth starting.

Tim Hightower played the last eight games of the regular season in 2015, filling in for the injured starter, Mark Ingram. By season's end, Hightower had put together 375 yards with four TDs on the ground. Even though his use is severely limited with Mark Ingram sitting above him on the depth chart, Hightower could be a smart late-round pick by Ingram owners who are worried about his longevity. After all, Hightower deserves some love after putting together a week 16 that likely carried many of his fantasy teams to a championship.