Who Should I Start? Alvin Kamara or Aaron Jones Sr.

Wednesday, December 17, 5:42 PM

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (knee, ankle) was listed as a non-participant in the first practice of the week on Wednesday, according to the team's official website. Kamara still has not practiced since spraining his MCL in Week 12. Additionally, rookie Devin Neal injured his hamstring in the Week 15 win over the Carolina Panthers and has already been ruled out for Sunday's game against the visiting New York Jets. It means that if Kamara doesn't make rapid progress over the next two days, Audric Estime and Evan Hull figure to split backfield duties for the Saints in Week 16. The fact that the Saints ruled Neal out so early in the week could be a sign that Kamara is nearing a return, but he will need to return to practice in the next few days. Estime handled 36% of the snaps to Hull's 32% last week and had three carries for 11 yards and three catches for 39 yards. Estime is the better waiver-wire pickup with Neal injured, but at best, he'll profile as a low-upside RB3/flex in fantasy this weekend if Kamara misses another game.

Friday, December 12, 4:27 PM

The Minnesota Vikings may have developed a rest-of-season formula last week, which could mean continued RB3/flex potential for Aaron Jones Sr. (shoulder) against the Dallas Cowboys. In a 31-0 rout of Washington last week, the Vikings leaned on their running game, which led to 14 carries and 76 rushing yards for Jones. The veteran still hasn't had a breakout game this season, but has maintained a steady floor, even as the Vikings have struggled for much of the year. Additionally, he'll see a plus matchup against a Dallas defense that ranks 28th against PPR running backs and presents added potential for Jones, who has 31 targets in nine games. Jones has been battling a shoulder injury for over a month now, but has still appeared in all five games since sustaining the injury, so managers can consider him a high-floor flex option in Week 15.