Who Should I Start? David Montgomery or DeVonta Smith

Monday, November 24, 1:03 PM

Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery was held in check by the New York Giants in Week 12, recording 37 scrimmage yards on eight touches in his team's overtime win. The 28-year-old played just 34% of Detroit's offensive snaps against New York, the third time in four games since the Lions' Week 8 bye that he's failed to reach the 40% mark. Once one of the league's most reliable touchdown scorers, Montgomery has now failed to hit pay dirt in five out of his last six games. He's recorded single-digit touches in consecutive weeks and 40 or fewer rushing yards in six out of his last eight outings. All indications suggest that Montgomery is fading into a true RB2 role in Detroit, behind star running back Jahmyr Gibbs. Fantasy managers may want to avoid Montgomery when the Lions will face one of the league's best defenses in the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving Day in Week 13.

Tuesday, November 25, 8:26 PM

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (chest, shoulder) was listed as a non-participant in Tuesday's walkthrough practice due to chest and shoulder injuries, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Smith's status bears watching on a short week when the team takes on the Chicago Bears on Friday. He played 95% of the offensive snaps in the Week 12 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday and had a big game, catching six of his 11 targets for 89 yards. If Smith is a DNP again on Wednesday, fantasy managers should actually be worried that he might be in danger of missing Week 13 action. If Smith is limited in any way or ruled out entirely against Chicago later this week, Jahan Dotson would be in line for WR2 duties in Philly behind A.J. Brown. Smith has only found the end zone three times in 11 games in 2025, adding 55 receptions on 78 targets for 754 yards. He's on track for the third 1,000-yard season in his fifth NFL campaign.