Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or Jahmyr Gibbs


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Austin Ekeler News

Austin Ekeler 100 Percent Medically Cleared for Football Activities

Thursday, April 30, 9:22 AM

Veteran free-agent running back Austin Ekeler (Achilles) is 100% fully medically cleared for all football activities after suffering a torn right Achilles last September against the Green Bay Packers, a league source told Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. Ekeler intends to play in 2026 and is expected to draw plenty of interest. The 30-year-old was one of the premier pass-catching backs in the NFL in his seven seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers before he signed a two-year deal with the Washington Commanders before the 2024 season. He appeared in 12 games (six starts) for Washington in 2024, carrying the ball 77 times for 367 yards and four touchdowns while catching 35 passes for 366 receiving yards. Ekeler missed some time due to a concussion that year before playing in just two games in 2025 before tearing his Achilles. Ekeler might not be the same shifty back in space after his season-ending injury, but he could still give a team some solid pass-catching depth out of the backfield as he nears the end of his career.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Jahmyr Gibbs News

Lions Picking Up Jahmyr Gibbs' Fifth-Year Option

Tuesday, April 28, 6:23 PM

The Detroit Lions plan to pick up the fifth-year option of star running back Jahmyr Gibbs, according to Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News. Gibbs will be due $14.3 million fully guaranteed for the 2027 season, tying him for the fifth-most expensive RB in the league based on average annual contract value. As one of the best all-around backs in the NFL, picking up the 24-year-old's fifth-year option was a no-brainer move for Detroit. He has been a Pro Bowler in each of his first three years in the league, and there's an argument to be made that he's worth the No. 1 overall pick in fantasy football drafts this year. Gibbs finished with his second straight 1,000-yard rushing campaign in 2025 and added 13 rushing touchdowns in 17 starts. Through the air, he caught a career-high 77 passes for 616 yards and five more touchdowns on 94 targets. With David Montgomery now out of town, the Lions should utilize Gibbs even more as a rare three-down back in his fourth year in the NFL. Through three seasons, Gibbs has an impressive 3,580 rushing yards and 39 rushing TDs, adding 1,449 receiving yards and 10 receiving touchdowns. The dude is a beast at the RB position.


Austin Ekeler vs. Jahmyr Gibbs

Still trying to decide between Ekeler and Gibbs? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Austin Ekeler is projected to score 0.0 points this week while Jahmyr Gibbs is projected to score 0.0 points.