Fantasy Fallout: It's cold, but Foster's retirement frees up a roster spot

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Here are the fantasy implications of Miami Dolphins RB Arian Foster announcing his retirement, effective immediately:

Even before Foster's official retirement announcement, the emergence of Jay Ajayi (over 200 yards rushing in each of his last two games, with three total touchdowns) in Miami likely served as the hammer that put the final nail in the ex-Texan's fantasy relevance. Foster hadn't made an impact when he was on the field this season, rushing 22 times for 55 yards, and missing two games due to injury.

Likely because of his status as a household name, Foster is still owned in approximately 70 percent of fantasy leagues, per FantasyPros, though that figure will obviously decline rapidly. Here are a few running backs that provide a worthy use of the roster spot freed up by Foster's retirement:

• Devontae Booker, Broncos: Booker has averaged 4.7 yards per carry compared to starter C.J. Anderson's mark of 3.5, though he's had 60 fewer attempts (statistics are prior to Denver's Monday night game). He's a stash in hopes of the rookie establishing a larger role as the season progresses.

• Damien Williams, Dolphins: For anyone opting for a handcuff to Ajayi, Williams is firmly entrenched as his backup. Williams has scored a touchdown in each of the last two games, and the third-year man has recorded 181 yards and three TDs on 25 combined rushing and receiving touches this season.

• Dion Lewis, Patriots: Still on the PUP list, it's unclear when Lewis will return to action. Last season, he averaged 88.9 yards per game while primarily serving as a passing-down back, hauling in 36 receptions in seven games. His fill-in, James White, has been well-used in the three games since QB Tom Brady's return, catching 14 passes for 142 yards and three TDs.

• Thomas Rawls, Seahawks: Rawls (ankle) has played in just two games this season, but his return could come within the next few weeks. As a rookie in 2015, he averaged 5.6 yards per carry on 147 attempts, and was chosen in the fifth round of most fantasy drafts this season.