Who Should I Start? Alvin Kamara or David Montgomery

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.

Wednesday, December 17, 11:48 AM

Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery has seen a reduced workload in 2025 as fellow Lions back Jahmyr Gibbs has emerged as the team's clear lead rusher. However, Montgomery remains a red zone and goal-line threat, as he's scored a touchdown in three straight weeks and has eight scores on the season. The 28-year-old is still an effective rusher when given the opportunity, as he's averaging a career-best 4.7 yards per carry and has totaled 635 rushing yards across 14 games this season. Montgomery's ceiling is capped as long as Gibbs is healthy, as he's recorded double-digit touches just once over the last five weeks. Still, as a touchdown-dependent flex option, Montgomery has some fantasy value heading into his Week 16 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Week 17 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.