Who Should I Start? Christian McCaffrey or Antonio Gibson

Monday, October 21, 1:25 PM

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) won't be available for the Week 8 game on Sunday night against the Dallas Cowboys, and then the team is on bye in Week 9. McCaffrey has been ramping up for an early-November return, so Week 10 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Nov. 10 could be the target date he's shooting for to make his 2024 debut. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports CMC hasn't had any setbacks as he ramps up. San Fran could really use McCaffrey back with receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) going down with a potential season-ending torn ACL in the Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Fantasy managers that have been stashing McCaffrey all year could have him back just in time to make a run for a fantasy championship, although it remains to be seen how effective he'll be and how much of a workload he'll have upon his return.

Sunday, October 20, 6:39 PM

New England Patriots running back Antonio Gibson rushed for just four yards on three carries during Sunday's Week 7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. He also converted his lone target into a nine-yard reception. This was easily Gibson's quietest game of the season, and while part of the blame can be placed on the game script, it's also worth noting that he was third in the pecking order on Sunday. He finished Week 7 with just 10 snaps, which was less than JaMycal Hasty's 20 and Rhamondre Stevenson's 30. It's unclear whether this trend is here to stay, but it should certainly have fantasy managers concerned heading into Week 8 against the New York Jets. Gibson can be benched or dropped in fantasy football going forward.