Who Should I Start? Christian McCaffrey or David Montgomery

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.

Monday, October 21, 7:30 PM

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said that there were no issues with running back David Montgomery's knee after he played through a contusion in Sunday's big Week 7 win over the division-rival Minnesota Vikings, which gave them their first loss of 2024. Montgomery was banged in the back of his knee on Sunday and had to be helped off the field, but he later returned and finished with a season-low nine carries for 31 yards while catching three of his four targets for an additional 39 yards. The 27-year-old couldn't find paydirt for the first time this year. It was backfield mate Jahmyr Gibbs who had a monster game against the Vikes with Montgomery banged up. Barring a setback with his knee during practice this week, Montgomery should be fine to play in Week 8 against the Tennessee Titans and will be back on the starting radar for fantasy lineups.