Who Should I Start? Brashard Smith or Kalel Mullings

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.

Sunday, August 10, 11:57 AM

Tennessee Titans rookie running back Kalel Mullings finished with a team-high 33 rushing yards on seven carries in Saturday's preseason-opening 29-7 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With starter Tony Pollard receiving limited work (four carries, nine yards) and Tyjae Spears suffering a high-ankle sprain, Mullings ended up serving as the Titans' lead back. Julius Chestnut, who's competing with Mullings, totaled 18 yards on three carries and added one catch for eight yards. A sixth-round pick from Michigan, Mullings ran for 948 yards and six touchdowns on 185 attempts in his last year with the Wolverines in 2024. The 22-year-old could see an increased role during Spears' absence. If Spears isn't able to return by the Titans' season opener against the Denver Broncos on Sept. 7, it could be Mullings backing up Pollard. In the meantime, Mullings will try to build on a productive debut in preseason game No. 2 against the Atlanta Falcons on Friday.