If there were a national election to determine the most ineffectual fantasy football player in the first half of 2024, it would be an Electoral College sweep: 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey. The numbers, or lack of numbers, do not lie. The consensus No. 1 pick has not set foot on the field so far this season, though he is expected to return in some capacity this week for the defending NFC champs. But we don’t like focusing on the injured, as that would be too easy. So for our list of the first-half disappointments, we’re going to count only those of the underwhelming who have mostly stayed healthy this season, while maintaining their inept status:. Quarterback: Anthony Richardson (Colts): He tapped out not too long after many of his fantasy backers already had. Once thought of as a top-10 QB, he accounted for only four TD passes and one touchdown run. Even Joe Flacco can do better. Runners-up: Deshaun Watson (Browns), Aaron Rodgers (Jets), Matthew Stafford (Rams). Anthony Richardson #5 of the Indianapolis Colts looks on from the sidelines during the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on Nov. 03, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) Running back: Raheem Mostert (Dolphins): It was easy to assume he would not repeat his 2023 total of 21 touchdowns, but geez. Just 214 yards and two touchdowns, as his playing time has been curtailed by nagging injuries and the continued rise of teammate De’Von Achane. Runners-up: Travis Etienne (Jaguars), Zamir White (Raiders), Ezekiel Elliott (Cowboys). Taron Johnson #7 and Taylor Rapp #9 of the Buffalo Bills force a fumble against Raheem Mostert #31 of the Miami Dolphins during the third quarter at Highmark Stadium on Nov. 03, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images) Wide receiver: Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle (Dolphins): Hard to pick the biggest loser from Miami’s Tua-dependent pass catchers. Their QB has been on the field less than half the season, so they’ve totalled only two touchdowns, with a combined average of just 95 yards per game. Runners-up: Davante Adams (Jets), Michael Pittman (Colts), Deebo Samuel (49ers). Jaylen Waddle #17 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates a touchdown with Tyreek Hill #10 and Raheem Mostert #31 during the first half in the game against the Carolina Panthers at Hard Rock Stadium on Oct. 15, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) Tight end: Sam LaPorta (Lions): Expected to be one of the top tight ends this season, last year’s breakout star has been mostly silent. He didn’t get his first touchdown until Week 6 despite Detroit’s prolific offense, and he’s averaging a meager 38 yards per game. Runners-up: Pat Friermuth (Steelers), Jake Ferguson (Cowboys), Travis Kelce (Chiefs). Sam LaPorta #87 of the Detroit Lions is tackled during the third quarter of a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Nov. 03, 2024 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) Defense-special teams: Cincinnati Bengals: They were expected to have a decent fantasy defense, but the Bengals have fallen way short. Just 17 sacks and six interceptions. And Cincinnati is one of the few defenses that has yet to record a touchdown. Runners-up: Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots. Terry McLaurin #17 of the Washington Commanders catches a 27 yard touchdown pass against the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter at Paycor Stadium on Sept. 23, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) Kicker: Jake Elliott (Eagles): You can blame coach Nick Sirianni, the mental midget who acts as if his pay would be docked every time he opted for a field goal or extra point. Elliott is a borderline excellent kicker, but he is only 24th among kickers in scoring, with just 10 field goals and 49 points. Runners-up: Justin Tucker (Ravens), Greg Zuerlein (Jets), Harrison Butker (Chiefs). Jake Elliott #4 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts after his team’s 37-34 overtime win against the Buffalo Bills at Lincoln Financial Field on Nov. 26, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) Sitting stars Sure, Christian McCaffery may be back this week, but he won’t be full speed for the 49ers. … The Vikings’ blitzing defense will cause headaches for Jacksonville QB Trevor Lawrence and RB Travis Etienne. … Washington’s Austin Ekeler regained some of his old mojo last week, but he’ll be throttled by Pittsburgh this week. … Two receivers that will be kept in check are Arizona’s Marvin Harrison Jr. vs. the Jets and the Chargers’ Ladd McConkey vs. the Titans. … And this will be a week of regression for Pittsburgh QB Russell Wilson against the Commanders. San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, left, sits on the sideline next to running back Jordan Mason during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez) Matchup game Houston running back Joe Mixon is putting together a banner season, and he’ll do well this week against the NFC-leading Lions. … Dallas will need RB Rico Dowdle if it hopes to do anything against Philadelphia. … Buffalo RB James Cook won’t have trouble running through Indianapolis. … Rams WR Puka Nacua won’t be punching any helmets this weekend, which will be bad news for Miami. … The Jets’ Garrett Wilson will have a good day against Arizona with the Cardinals focused on stopping Davante Adams. … Two tight ends we love this week: Vikings’ T.J. Hockenson against Jacksonville and Bengals’ Mike Gesicki vs. Baltimore. … And we look for big numbers from Bengals QB Joe Burrow vs. the Ravens and Falcons’ Kirk Cousins against the collapsing Saints. Joe Mixon #28 of the Houston Texans scores a touchdown during the second quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Oct. 31, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) Injury watch Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott is on injured reserve and will be out at least four weeks. Two top receivers, New Orleans’ Chris Olave and Philly’s A.J. Brown, are also out. The list of questionables has two top running backs (Eagles’ Saquon Barkley and Commanders’ Brian Robinson), a slew of pass catchers (Dallas’ CeeDee Lamb, Atlanta’s Drake London, San Fran’s Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings, Cincinnati’s Tee Higgins, Buffalo’s Amari Cooper and Keon Coleman, and Philly TE Dallas Goedert) and Bears QB Caleb Williams. Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys is tackled by Nate Landman #53 of the Atlanta Falcons during the third quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Nov. 03, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) Deepest sleeper He’s more of a long-forgotten sleeper than a particularly deep one, but Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston finally had his coming out party after nearly two years of waiting. He caught four passes for 118 yards and a touchdown from a revitalized QB Justin Herbert. Not bad considering Johnston had topped 52 yards only once in 22 career games since being taken in the first round of the 2023 draft out of Texas Christian. This is almost certainly your last chance to grab him from the waiver wires. Quentin Johnston #1 of the Los Angeles Chargers runs the ball against the Denver Broncos during the second quarter at Empower Field At Mile High on Oct. 13, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) The Thursday pick Bengals at Ravens (-5½): Pick: Ravens by 7 Derrick Henry #22 of the Baltimore Ravens dives into the end zone while scoring a rushing touchdown in the first quarter of a game against the Denver Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium on Nov. 03, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) You can hear Kevin Cusick on Wednesdays on Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on Twitter — @theloopnow. He can be reached at [email protected]. Related Articles Minnesota Vikings | The Loop Fantasy Football Update Week 9: Last-minute moves Minnesota Vikings | The Loop NFL Picks: Week 9 Minnesota Vikings | The Loop Fantasy Football Update Week 8: Last-minute moves Minnesota Vikings | The Loop NFL Picks: Week 8 Minnesota Vikings | The Loop Fantasy Football Update Week 7: Last-minute moves