Who Should I Start? Clyde Edwards-Helaire or Jonathon Brooks

Saturday, November 1, 2:09 PM

The Kansas City Chiefs have elevated running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire from their practice squad for the team's Week 9 matchup against the Buffalo Bills. With running back Isiah Pacheco (knee) out, Edwards-Helaire will give the Chiefs a little extra depth in their running back room. Veteran back Kareem Hunt should be expected to serve as the team's early-down and goal-line rusher, with rookie Brashard Smith mixing in in a gadget and passing-downs role. However, both Edwards-Helaire and Elijah Mitchell could steal a few touches away from Hunt and Smith. Edwards-Helaire has not appeared in a game yet this season. Across two games for the New Orleans Saints in 2024, he recorded 70 scrimmage yards on 16 touches. Edwards-Helaire should remain off fantasy radars heading into Week 9.

Monday, December 8, 12:54 PM

Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) is exactly a year removed from tearing his right ACL for a second time, but he said that he feels "pretty much almost 100 percent again," according to Joe Person of The Athletic. Brooks is doing straight-line running and hopes to start mixing in full-speed cutting and route running soon. Barring a setback, he could return to the practice field in the spring for organized team activities (OTAs). The 22-year-old was the team's second-round pick back in 2024 out of Texas. Since his injury, the Panthers signed Rico Dowdle in free agency and took Trevor Etienne in the fourth round of this year's draft. Dowdle has been one of the best backs in the NFL this year and has formed a dangerous 1-2 punch in Carolina's backfield with Chuba Hubbard. Any expectations fantasy managers holding Brooks might have in dynasty/keeper leagues must be tempered by concerns of injury risk.