Who Should I Start? Cam Akers or Frank Gore Jr.

Monday, January 13, 7:20 PM

Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers (illness), who was listed as questionable for Monday night's wild-card game in Arizona against the Los Angeles Rams, is active and will be available. Akers popped up on the injury report this week on Saturday due to an illness and did not practice, but he's feeling better on Monday and should serve in his usual role as a change-of-pace option in Minnesota's backfield behind starter Aaron Jones. The 25-year-old will be a touchdown-dependent flex play, at best, against his former team in this one. Akers started the 2024 season with the Houston Texans before being acquired by the Vikings. In his 12 games in Minnesota this year, Akers has averaged 4.6 yards per carry and 5.3 rushing attempts per game, adding 297 rushing yards and three total TDs (two receiving). Unless Jones is hurt mid-game, Akers carries limited fantasy upside as the RB2.

Monday, October 14, 6:10 PM

The Buffalo Bills elevated rookie running back Frank Gore Jr. from the practice squad to the 53-man active roster for Monday night's divisional showdown against the New York Jets. This could be a sign that James Cook (toe), who was listed as questionable to play in Week 6, may not be available to play on Monday night. But the Bills could also be electing for extra backfield depth behind Cook, Ty Johnson and rookie Ray Davis. Fantasy managers should know Cook's official status for Monday's primetime contest in another hour. The 22-year-old Gore hasn't played at all through the first five weeks of his rookie season in the NFL after going undrafted out of Southern Miss. At best, Gore could see some short-yardage work for Buffalo whenever he makes his NFL debut, but he can be ignored in all single-year fantasy formats for the time being.