Who Should I Start? David Montgomery or Jaleel McLaughlin

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.

Friday, October 18, 12:21 AM

In the Denver Broncos blowout victory over the New Orleans Saints on Thursday night in Week 7, rookie running back Audric Estime out-carried Jaleel McLaughlin five to four, although McLaughlin out-gained the rookie 35 to 29 on the ground in the 33-10 victory. Estime also lost a fumble. Lead back Javonte Williams was the real winner on the night for Denver's offense with 14 carries for a season-high 88 yards and his first two touchdowns of the year. Estime's five carries were a season-high after seeing two totes apiece in his first two NFL games in Weeks 1 and 6. Although Estime could be in head coach Sean Payton's doghouse after losing a fumble against New Orleans, the rookie's presence in Denver's backfield moving forward is yet another reason why McLaughlin cannot be trusted in starting fantasy lineups. Neither RB was targeted in the passing game on Thursday.