Michael Bush

Michael Bush

39-Year-Old Running BackRB
 Free Agent  
2023 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Michael Bush in 2023. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Released by the Cardinals in December of 2014.
RBFree Agent
December 5, 2014
Bush was cut by the Cardinals on Friday, Kent Somers of AZCentral.com reports.
ANALYSIS
The Cardinals brought Bush aboard last week some some added depth at the running back position, but he was inactive for last Sunday's game against Atlanta and the team decided Friday that Kerwynn Williams was more deserving of a roster spot. With Andre Ellington (hip) ruled out for Week 14, the burden will fall primarily to Stepfan Taylor and Marion Grice against Kansas City.
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Fantasy/Red Zone Stats
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Receiving Alignment Breakdown
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2023 Michael Bush Split Stats
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2014
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2012
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Bush saw his numbers drastically decrease during his final season with the Chicago Bears. The 29 year-old back posted a career-low 3.1 YPC and only four catches on eight targets. He was mostly used as a goal-line back, yet scored only three touchdowns on nine carries inside the five yard line. Currently without a team, his fantasy value hinges on a team picking him up to be a goal-line back.
Converting on 5-of-7 goal-line opportunities in 2012, Bush continues to serve as one of the league's top touchdown vultures. The 6-1, 245-pound bulldozer has piled up 18 scores from inside the five-yard line the last three seasons, while Matt Forte continues to struggle in close (5-of-38 the last four years). Although that means Bush is in a nice spot to steal touchdowns, he's still little more than a backup as long as Forte remains healthy. Of course, it's worth noting Forte has more than 1,500 touches in his five seasons and has missed five games the last two years.
Bush took over for an injured Darren McFadden last season, totaling 1,395 yards with eight touchdowns and proving to be a surprisingly capable receiver. Despite starting just nine games, he finished with the fourth-most snaps among all backs, and that heavy workload caught up to him, as Bush got just 3.3 YPC over the final seven games. In a somewhat surprising move, the Raiders let Bush sign with the Bears during the offseason, where the coaches have stated he’ll take over the role Marion Barber had last season. There’s some chance Matt Forte holds out, but assuming he signs, Bush will be looking at a backup role, though he’s a near lock to take over goal-line work.
Bush entered 2010 as the favorite to be Oakland’s lead back, but Darren McFadden’s breakout relegated him to second string. At 6-2, 247, Bush is well suited to short-yardage and goal-line work, and last year saw 13 carries from inside the five to McFadden’s six. Otherwise, McFadden will see the bulk of the work both on the ground and as a receiver out of the backfield. Given Bush’s size, and McFadden’s injury history, Bush is worth stashing late, but if McFadden stays healthy, it’s hard to see the upside.
Bush averaged 4.8 YPC last year and isn’t a bad receiver for someone who weighs 245 pounds. He’s now three full years removed from his gruesome leg injury in college, and he averaged a whopping 6.0 YPC over the final seven games last season. Bush has been criticized for his lack of conditioning, often asking out of games when the coaches preferred he stayed in, so he needs to get in better shape. With Justin Fargas jettisoned, Bush will battle Darren McFadden for Oakland’s RB1 role. McFadden enters as the favorite, but he’s proven to be quite injury prone, and he’s unlikely ever to be a 20-plus carry back anyway. At minimum, Bush should dominate the goal-line carries, and there should be more of them in 2010 with Jason Campbell replacing JaMarcus Russell at QB.
Bush ended the 2008 season with a bang, rushing for 177 yards and two touchdowns against a strong Buccaneers defense that needed to win in order to make the playoffs. He also racked up 19 receptions for 162 receiving yards in extremely limited work, revealing ability to be an asset in the passing game. Bush is 6-1, 245, but it doesn’t look like the Raiders view him as a fullback after Week 17’s eye-opening performance, and few backs his size can rip off 67-yard runs like he did in Tampa Bay. He’s now two full years removed from the broken leg he suffered while at Louisville, and Oakland implements a run-heavy offense. Justin Fargas remains on the roster, but he averaged just 3.9 YPC last year, and it’s time he takes a backseat to superior talent. Bush will also compete with Darren McFadden for touches, but Bush is the favorite to get goal-line work, and there will be plenty of carries to go around in the Raiders backfield.
Bush dropped from a first-round prospect to a fourth-round pick after breaking his leg two years ago. He was held out of practice most of last season and never appeared in a game for Oakland. His surgically repaired right leg is finally healed, and his rare combination of size and speed makes him someone who can't be forgotten.The Raiders have Darren McFadden and Justin Fargas ahead of him in the RB pecking order, but Bush might already be the team's best option at the goal line, and he could force his way into the lineup with an impressive training camp.
If not for a catastrophic leg injury suffered in his collegiate season opener last year, Bush likely would have been a first-round pick. As it happened, he fell to the fourth round, where the Raiders picked him with the 100th-overall selection. The hope is Bush won't have any long-term effects from the injury, but it's unclear when he'll be fully recovered, since a rod was inserted into his leg. Still, Bush is a phenomenal athlete with great vision and instincts. He has excellent balance and agility, with superb hands and a nose for the end zone. New coach Lane Kiffin was known for utilizing multiple backs at USC, so Bush likely will be a part of a rotation including Dominic Rhodes (when he returns from suspension) and LaMont Jordan. But Bush is the one with all the upside. Come the second half of the season, he might make the others irrelevant.
More Fantasy News
RBArizona Cardinals
November 30, 2014
Bush is inactive for Sunday's game at Atlanta, the Cardinals' official site reports.
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RBArizona Cardinals
November 27, 2014
Bush is unlikely to be handed a major role in his Cardinals debut Sunday in Atlanta, ESPN.com reports. On Wednesday, coach Bruce Arians said, "We didn't sign him for this week. We signed him for the long haul, so we'll have him ready when we need him."
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Michael Bush: Signs With Cardinals
RBArizona Cardinals
November 25, 2014
Bush signed with the Cardinals on Tuesday, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.
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Michael Bush: Visits With Patriots
RBFree Agent
April 1, 2014
Bush will visit the Patriots, the team's official website reports.
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Michael Bush: Released By Bears
RBFree Agent
March 10, 2014
The Bears plan to terminate Bush's contract, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.
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