Who Should I Start? Cordarrelle Patterson or James Cook

Thursday, September 21, 10:02 PM

Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson (thigh) did not suit up for Thursday's practice session. The veteran back has not played a game this season and it seems unlikely that he'll play in Week 3. Patterson was scratched ahead of the Week 2 matchup versus the Green Bay Packers after being a full participant during practice all week. The Falcons don't seem very eager to get Patterson back on the field, so they'll probably ease him back into things. For now, Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier will handle a majority of the workload in the backfield.

Friday, September 22, 2:08 PM

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook excited fantasy managers with a huge 159-yard showing in Week 2's dismantling of the Las Vegas Raiders. The 23-year-old next challenges the Washington Commanders, who have held James Conner and Javonte Williams to scoreless 14/62 and 12/44 rushing lines respectively in the opening two games. Washington's defense has proven to be slightly more vulnerable in the backend, if anything, with their ravenous defensive line, so Cook will likely need to break away for some explosive runs on the outside to penetrate this unit. Buffalo has constantly utilized him on counter plays, so expect that usage to persist in an effort to get the dynamic Cook to the second level of the field. Due to zero red-zone touches on the young season, however, the 2022 second-rounder is stuck as a high-floor RB2 in Week 3 and until further notice.