In Week 10 of the NFL season, fantasy football managers are eagerly awaiting the return of two key running backs: James Conner and David Montgomery. Both players have been cleared to play after multi-week absences, and their return is expected to have a significant impact on their respective teams' offenses.

Cardinals' Conner Poised for a Strong Comeback

James Conner, who has been dealing with a knee injury, is set to make his return for the Arizona Cardinals. Conner's rehab progress has been encouraging, with Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon expressing optimism about the running back's chances of returning. He even jokingly mentioned that Conner might have gotten faster during his recovery.

Conner's anticipated return aligns with quarterback Kyler Murray's expected comeback from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. The reunion of Conner and Murray is expected to boost the entire Cardinals offense, even though expectations for Murray's first game back aren't exceedingly high.

Given Conner's impressive performances before his injury, he is projected to have a significant impact upon his return. With an impressive average of 5.4 yards per carry, Conner has demonstrated his ability to be an efficient runner, even when the team's other running backs struggled. Additionally, the Cardinals' blocking has aided Conner, creating an average of 4.0 yards per carry before contact.

Although Conner's involvement in the passing game has been limited thus far, averaging just 10 targets in five games, the return of Murray could potentially boost his receiving opportunities. Fantasy managers can expect Conner to be highly efficient with a solid workload, placing him on the fringe of RB1 territory.

David Montgomery's Return Adds Depth to Bears' Backfield

Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears welcome back David Montgomery after his absence due to injury. Montgomery's role as the lead back is expected to resume, but the emergence of Jahmyr Gibbs has added a layer of uncertainty regarding the team's rushing workload distribution.

Gibbs showcased his talents in Week 8, rushing for an impressive 152 yards on 26 carries. While it remains uncertain whether Montgomery will revert to his heavy workload from earlier in the season, where he averaged 23 carries per game, the presumed split between Montgomery and Gibbs may resemble last season's situation with Jamaal Williams and D'Andre Swift.

The Bears are likely to prioritize Montgomery near the goal line, but it is reasonable to anticipate a split similar to the Williams/Swift arrangement, with Montgomery getting a solid number of carries while Gibbs assumes a complementary role. Both players are ranked as top-20 running backs for Week 10, with Conner positioned just ahead of them in terms of fantasy value.

Conclusion

As fantasy football managers prepare for Week 10, the return of James Conner and David Montgomery brings a renewed sense of excitement and optimism. Conner's potential to be an efficient runner, coupled with his reunion with quarterback Kyler Murray, bodes well for his fantasy production. Similarly, Montgomery's return as the lead back, albeit with a potential timeshare with Jahmyr Gibbs, should provide a boost to the Bears' rushing attack.

With these key running backs back in action, fantasy managers will have some tough choices to make when setting their lineups. However, the return of Conner and Montgomery adds depth and stability to the running back position, offering opportunities for strong fantasy performances in Week 10 and beyond.