Who Should I Start? Bucky Irving or Kimani Vidal

Thursday, December 4, 6:13 PM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (shoulder) upgraded from a limited practice participant on Wednesday to a full showing on Thursday ahead of the Week 14 game against the division-rival New Orleans Saints on Sunday, according to Sara Palczewski of Louisiana First News. Irving returned in last Sunday's win over the Arizona Cardinals for the first time since suffering foot and shoulder injuries back in Week 4. The 23-year-old played 52% of the offensive snaps and had 19 touches for 81 scrimmage yards and his first rushing touchdown of the year. The Bucs will continue to involve both Rachaad White and Sean Tucker in change-of-pace roles down the stretch, but Irving is their preferred back and has clear RB1 upside for fantasy managers now that he's back and set to see an even bigger workload this weekend against the Saints. Irving is averaging a mediocre 3.4 yards per carry in five games this year, but he's had at least 14 rushing attempts in all five games and has a high floor.

Wednesday, December 3, 10:12 PM

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh stated that running back Kimani Vidal has played like a #1 back this season. Harbaugh stated that "the proof is in the pudding" and "it warms the cockles of the heart. "After the injury to Omarion Hampton (ankle) that knocked him out for the past eight weeks, Vidal has stepped up and anchored the Chargers' rushing attack. Since Week 6, Vidal ranks 11th in the NFL in rushing yards and rushing attempts, and has averaged 13.5 PPR points per game. He was a huge part of why they were able to defeat the Raiders in Week 13, totaling 137 yards and a touchdown on 26 total attempts. With Hampton set to return in Week 14 when the Chargers host the Philadelphia Eagles, Vidal will still be a part of the rotation, but will lose the majority of his fantasy value with the rookie back.