Who Should I Start? Chris Brooks or Brashard Smith

Tuesday, August 5, 1:16 PM

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said there's nothing that running back Chris Brooks can't do and also expressed confidence in Brooks as the team's RB2 behind Josh Jacobs with both Emanuel Wilson and MarShawn Lloyd out with injuries currently at training camp. Brooks and Wilson stepped up behind Jacobs in 2024 with Lloyd playing in just one game in his rookie season due to injuries. The 25-year-old Brooks handled only 36 rushing attempts for 183 yards and a touchdown, although he averaged over five yards per carry for the second straight season. He added 11 catches for 69 yards on 13 targets in 15 regular-season games (no starts). While it's nice that Green Bay has confidence in Brooks to back up Jacobs if needed, he's not going to be very relevant in fantasy unless both Wilson and Lloyd aren't ready to go for the start of the regular season.

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.