With news that Melvin Gordon is week-to-week while dealing with a knee injury, there’s going to be an all-out blitz to acquire Austin Ekeler in those leagues where he is available.

There’s a way to avoid such a Black-Friday-type, waiver-bargain bum-rush, and that is by handcuffing your top running back to their backup.

In Gordon’s case, we’ll forgive you for failing to do so earlier. Ekeler isn’t a plug-and-play in the same system. He is more of a reaction to what we believe will be a shift in the offense to more pass-heavy game plans, which benefits Ekeler, particularly in PPR formats. Otherwise, we might recommend Justin Jackson for interior rushing attempts and goal-line work in standard leagues.

The point is, handcuffing running backs is a popular notion but an inexact science. Sometimes it works amazingly. Other times, it is a bad insurance policy with minimal coverage.

Whichever the case, drafting handcuffs is rarely a wise move. With injuries and bye weeks and depth chart uncertainty/changes, forecasting the cuffs and their potential production compared to waiver alternatives is impossible for most before the season begins, with some rare exceptions.

Now, as we say bye-bye to the bye weeks, it is the perfect time to scoop up available cuffs in those situations when it works. But before you rush out to check every depth chart, make sure you follow certain rules.

First, you don’t cuff backs in bad or low-volume running games. Example: Don’t cuff Lamar Miller. You likely look for excuses every week to bench Miller. No reason you need a cuff for that. Also, don’t cuff RBs whose running games rely solely on the talent of the back — for example, the Giants. If Saquon Barkley goes down, so does the Giants’ running game.

But, you might ask, doesn’t that reasoning suggest there’s no need to cuff Todd Gurley either? Well, this is where you have to be observant. We’ve seen some of backup Malcolm Brown in action. Maybe it is the system, maybe the Rams just have two top-tier RBs, but Brown has averaged 5.0 yards per carry and looked fully capable. If given the reins, we have confidence he will vastly outperform any possible waivers options.

Similarly, under Andy Reid, the Chiefs famously favor a feature-back system. If Kareem Hunt is sidelined, Spencer Ware steps into that role, which he has held before with fantasy success.

We’ve already seen Giovani Bernard rake when Joe Mixon was out earlier this year. James Conner, initially a cuff for Le’Veon Bell, has produced spendidly. Now, you might want to cuff Conner with Jaylen Samuels — a better option than Stevan Ridley, who has built a career on disappointment.

On the flip side, Royce Freeman is still on far too many rosters. At this point, his only use is as a cuff to Phillip Lindsay. If you don’t have Lindsay, it is time to dump Freeman.

Pick your best RB with the most reliable backup, cuff that spot then throw away the key.

Dak Prescott QB, Cowboys
He has exceed 20 fantasy points in four of his past six games. The upcoming schedule is attractive. Nab him to replace Andy Dalton.

Rex Burkhead RB, Patriots
Practiced last week, opening his 21-day window to be activated from IR. Could assume some of Sony Michel’s work if Michel is injured, but more of a cuff for James White in PPR leagues.

T.J. Yeldon RB, Jaguars
With Leonard Fournette suspended for a game, the Jags likely will use a combination of Yeldon and Carlos Hyde. We expect the Colts offense to force the Jags to keep up, which suggests Yeldon is better option.

Matt LaCosse TE, Broncos
Jeff Heuerman is for the season, but the Broncos’ upcoming schedule is rich — Bengals, 49ers, Browns, Raiders. Get your hands on LaCosse, if you can, so you can play him against this rag-tag bunch of defenses.

Carson Wentz QB, Eagles
Has been extraordinarily lackluster of late. Offense appears dysfunctional. Schedule doesn’t look overly appealing, with dates against the Cowboys and Texans during the fantasy playoffs.

Jalen Richard RB, Raiders
Anticipated bump with injury to Marshawn Lynch hasn’t materialized. Doug Martin is a better option. We’re as surprised as you are.

Mike Williams WR, Chargers
Nice game Sunday, but also just his second all season with at least four grabs and a score. Still has more games without a TD than with one. A healthy Tyrell Williams will help curtail future fantasy outbursts.

Dante Pettis WR, 49ers
This isn’t just an issue of being in a temp role, with Marquise Goodwin and Pierre Garcon sidelined Sunday. The 49ers scored just nine real-life points against one of the worst fantasy pass defenses in the league. Abandon ship.