Who Should I Start? Alvin Kamara or Isiah Pacheco

Thursday, January 1, 4:53 PM

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (knee, ankle) remained sidelined from his team's practice on Thursday, per ESPN's Katherine Terrell. Kamara has missed five consecutive games after suffering a sprained MCL in Week 12 and appears unlikely to return for the team's Week 18 finale against the Atlanta Falcons. Across 11 games before getting injured, the 30-year-old recorded 657 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown on 164 touches. Fellow Saints running backs Kendre Miller (knee) and Devin Neal (hamstring) are both on Injured Reserve, so the team is currently quite shorthanded at the position. Second-year back Audric Estime functioned as New Orleans' lead back in Week 17, with running back Evan Hull and tight end Taysom Hill mixing in as well. Assuming Kamara remains sidelined, Estime profiles as a high-end flex option for fantasy managers in Week 18.

Monday, December 29, 10:20 PM

Across 13 games this season, Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco has recorded 563 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns on 137 touches. The 26-year-old has not recorded more than 34 rushing yards in a game or scored a rushing touchdown since Week 8. However, Pacheco maintains a consistent role in the Kansas City offense, averaging over 11 touches per game over the last three weeks. Pacheco appears to have wrestled the RB1 role for the Chiefs away from fellow back Kareem Hunt, as he's earned double the touches of Hunt over that same three-game period. Kansas City has been consistently chasing points during its ongoing five-game losing streak, which limits opportunities to run the football. However, the Chiefs could have a chance to play with a lead in their Week 18 matchup against the lowly Las Vegas Raiders. In fantasy leagues with 10 or more teams, Pacheco could be a running back worth targeting on the waiver wire heading into Week 18.