Who Should I Start? Aaron Jones Sr. or Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Friday, January 2, 5:08 PM

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. (hip) has officially been ruled out for Week 18's regular-season finale against the Green Bay Packers, according to Dane Mizutani of the Pioneer Press. Jones was a non-participant every day in practice this week and will end up missing his fifth game of the season after spending time on Injured Reserve earlier in the year with a hamstring injury. The 31-year-old recorded 132 carries for 548 yards and two touchdowns to go along with 28 catches (41 targets) for 199 yards and one score as a receiver in 12 games. Backfield mate Jordan Mason (ankle) was upgraded to a full participant in practice on Thursday and Friday after missing last week's game against the Lions. Mason figures to handle the bulk of the carries for Minnesota's final regular-season game against the Packers, profiling as a borderline RB1.

Thursday, January 1, 4:37 PM

Washington Commanders rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (illness) was able to practice in full on Thursday after he was held out due to illness on Wednesday. Croskey-Merritt had his second 100-yard game and two rushing touchdowns in last week's Christmas Day loss to the Dallas Cowboys, with Chris Rodriguez Jr. out due to illness. Rodriguez is back in the fold for the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles this weekend, though, so fantasy managers will want to lower expectations for Croskey-Merritt in the final game of his rookie season. The 24-year-old JCM could be Washington's lead back against the Eagles, but Rodriguez's presence will definitely cap the rookie's upside this weekend.