Who Should I Start? Brashard Smith or Damien Martinez

Thursday, August 7, 8:16 PM

Kansas City Chiefs rookie running back Brashard Smith (finger) suffered a finger injury in training camp practice on Thursday and left early, according to Chiefs beat writer Matt McMullen. It is unknown if Smith's injury is serious, but it could keep him from taking part in the preseason opener on Saturday against the Arizona Cardinals. If the 22-year-old is healthy going into his first NFL season, he figures to be the RB4, at best, for the Chiefs, behind Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt and Elijah Mitchell. The SMU product is a converted receiver that can be ignored in all redraft fantasy formats this fall. In his first year in the NFL, the speedy pass-catching back will most likely make his biggest impact on special teams, potentially as a kick returner.

Saturday, August 16, 10:45 AM

Seattle Seahawks seventh-round rookie running back Damien Martinez received 11 carries in Friday's preseason win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Martinez turned those carries into 50 yards and a touchdown. He added two receptions for 14 yards. Martinez is fighting for Seattle's No. 3 running back spot with George Holani, who had a solid game in his own right. Martinez's performance was encouraging after a quiet debut last weekend in which he only recorded 10 yards on six carries. The Seahawks' running game as a whole was humming on Friday night. The success of the running game bodes well for the potential of this team to succeed in 2025.