Who Should I Start? Christian McCaffrey or Jonathan Taylor

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.

Wednesday, October 23, 12:01 PM

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) will return to practice on Wednesday, according to head coach Shane Steichen. The Colts said on Monday that they were optimistic that Taylor would resume practicing this week, which could put him on track to return to play this Sunday against the division-rival Houston Texans. The 25-year-old has not practiced or played the last three weeks after suffering a high-ankle sprain. Taylor returning to practice this week doesn't make him a lock to suit up in Week 8, but it's an encouraging sign for the Colts and fantasy managers. Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson have split the backfield the last three weeks, but with Taylor nearing a return, their usefulness as short-term flex options in fantasy is about to run out. If Taylor is active against Houston, he'll be a must-start in fantasy lineups.