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There were three running backs picked in the first round of the 2012 draft. Tampa Bay’s Doug Martin (drafted 31st out of Boise State) is already a star (though he still has to deal with being nicknamed Muscle Hamster). Martin was fourth overall in rushing yards after Week 12. Cleveland’s Trent Richardson; (drafted 3rd out of Alabama) was on pace to have a 1,000-yard season. The Giants’ David Wilson, selected out of Virginia Tech with the 31st pick, one pick after Martin, had failed to make any impact. But that could be about to change, thanks to an injury to Giants running back Andre Brown.

Andre Brown is suffering from a leg injury

Before Brown broke his leg in Week 12, he had scored a touchdown in five straight games, giving him eight touchdowns on the year compared to five for Giants lead back Ahmad Bradshaw. Brown outgained Bradshaw in both Week 11 and Week 12 and had more carries than Bradshaw, 13 to 10, in Week 12. With Bradshaw battling an injured foot, the Giants wanted to lessen his load.

Now Brown out for at least the rest of the regular season, so Wilson will see increased playing time. If the Giants wrap up a playoff spot early, Bradshaw could get more rest, which could increase Wilson’s playing time even more.

Bryce Brown gets his chance

In Week 12, Eagles rookie running back Bryce Brown showed that sometimes all a player needs is a chance to play. Brown, a seventh-round pick out of Kansas State, went into the game against the Panthers with just 141 rushing yards and no touchdowns. But with LeSean McCoy out due to a concussion, Brown exploded for 178 yards and two touchdowns, equaling McCoy’s touchdown total for the season. Brown also fumbled twice, though.

As Week 13 approached, McCoy appeared unlikely to play. With the Eagles going nowhere, there is no reason to rush McCoy back, so Brown could continue to start into the fantasy football playoffs.

But it can be risky to count on an untested rookie running back, as Week 12 also showed. With Denver’s Willis McGahee out, Ronnie Hillman, drafted in the third round out of San Diego State, appeared to be the front-runner to take his place in the game against Kansas City. Instead, Denver started Knowshon Moreno, who had not seen action since Week 2, and Moreno responded with 85 yards on 20 carries along with four catches for 26 yards. Hillman, meanwhile, had just nine yards on three carries, leaving Moreno now the likelier Broncos starter the rest of the regular season.

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Ben Hargrove writes on fantasy football for DraftStreet.