Who Should I Start? Brashard Smith or Trevor Etienne

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.

Tuesday, May 13, 2:27 PM

Fourth-round rookie running back Trevor Etienne officially signed his rookie deal with the Carolina Panthers on Tuesday, according to NFL.com. The former Florida Gator and Georgia Bulldog is the brother of Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne. He racked up 2,081 yards and 23 touchdowns on the ground and 432 yards and one score as a receiver in 34 collegiate games. Etienne will have a chance to compete for touches with veterans Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle in a backfield that could shake out to be a pure committee. He could be on the fantasy radar in deep leagues, but he will likely go undrafted in most standard-sized 12-team setups. With Jonathon Brooks (knee) out for the season, Etienne should be monitored as a rookie as a potential late-season waiver-wire add.