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The 2009 NFL season hasn’t been particularly kind to a few of the running backs that were taken at the top of most fantasy drafts.

Players like Matt Forte, Steve Slaton, and Michael Turner have struggled through disappointing seasons thus far.

Now, it’s looking as though one of those guys can officially be marked off the list.

Here are the top five fantasy risers and fallers going into Week 10.

Risers

Michael Turner, RB, Atlanta Falcons

Through the Falcons’ first six games of ‘09, Turner had just one game of over 100 yards rushing.

This is the same guy that led the NFL in rushing a season ago.

Over the past two weeks, “The Burner” appears to have gotten things in order, rushing for 151 and 166 yards, respectively.

He’s officially back to “unconditionally start him” mode.

Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans

Outside of a monster week two game against Houston, Johnson hadn’t done much fantasy-wise through the first six games of the season.

That’s all changed in the past two weeks after two monster games, in which he has run for 228 and 135 yards, with two rushing touchdowns in each game.

This weekend he and his Titans face the Bills, owners of one of the worst run defenses in the NFL.

Absolutely start Chris Johnson.

Josh Freeman, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Freeman shocked the world in his NFL debut, throwing for three touchdowns in a huge upset of the Packers last Sunday.

While he may not be worthy of a start just yet, he’s worth picking up, for injury purposes.

Keep an eye on him.

Ray Rice, RB, Baltimore Ravens

Looking at his numbers, Rice has flown almost completely under-the-radar and has been one of the most consistent fantasy backs in the league so far.

His Ravens face the Browns on Monday Night Football coming up.

Need I say more?

Ladell Betts, RB, Washington Redskins

With Clinton Portis out, Betts becomes the Redskins’ No. 1 ball-carrier.

Filling in for Portis last Sunday against Atlanta, Betts amassed over 100 total yards with a touchdown.

He’d be a nice flex option against Denver.

Fallers

Matt Forte, RB, Chicago Bears

It’s been a sophomore NFL season to forget for Matt Forte thus far.

Forte has just three rushing touchdowns all season, with two of those coming against the hapless and helpless Browns two weeks ago.

I’d sit him against San Francisco’s stout run defense this weekend.

New York Giants, Defense

It’s obviously not a coincidence that with the Giants in the midst of a four-game losing streak, their defense has been terrible for fantasy.

Maybe this weekend’s bye will help them, but I would hesitate to start them again until they can prove they’re capable once again.

Houston Texans Running Backs

Against Buffalo in Week Nine, Steve Slaton was benched because of fumble issues.

Ryan Moats filled in for Slaton and promptly rushed for over 100 yards and scored thrice.

So, what does Moats do for an encore against the Colts?

Fumbles! Of course!

It would probably just be a good idea to avoid starting whomever the Texans choose to start in the backfield coming out of their bye next week.

Shonn Greene, RB, New York Jets

After lighting the world on fire in his first real game action as a pro against lowly Oakland in Week Seven, Greene ran for a cool 18 yards on eight carries with a fumble the very next week against Miami.

He’ll get some touches coming out of the bye against the Jaguars Sunday, but do not start him unless your team is absolutely ravaged by injuries.

Tashard Choice, RB, Dallas Cowboys

With the healthy Marion Barber and Felix Jones now back in front of him, Choice’s standout performances from the early weeks of the season are a thing of the past.

However, Jones has battled injury problems throughout his first two pro seasons, so you never know when Choice will be thrown right back into the far.

He may not be worth a roster spot at the moment, but keep an eye on him.

For more from Taylor Smith and more fantasy advice, head over to NFLSoup.com

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/288353-fantasy-football-risers-and-fallers-week-10