Who Should I Start? David Montgomery or Javonte Williams

Thursday, December 25, 3:30 PM

Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (illness) will be active for Thursday's road bout with the Minnesota Vikings on Christmas Day, per the team. The veteran appeared on Detroit's practice report on Tuesday, missing the session due to illness. After logging a limited practice on Wednesday, it would seem Montgomery will be able to play anyway, and figures to assume his typical allotment of snaps behind teammate Jahmyr Gibbs as the Lions attempt to keep their playoff hopes alive. Notably, the seventh-year pro has seen his snap count steadily dwindle since Week 11, dropping under 20 plays in each of his last three appearances, compared with just once over the season's first 13 weeks. Correlatively, he'll offer little more than flex appeal with Gibbs dominating time and touches in the backfield.

Wednesday, December 31, 5:12 PM

Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams (shoulder) was initially expected to be limited in Wednesday's practice. However, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports that Williams isn't included on the Week 18 injury report, suggesting he put in a full practice on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Malik Davis (calf, eye) was a non-participant. Williams has been a top-10 fantasy RB in his first year in Dallas as their unquestioned lead back. However, the 25-year-old former Denver Broncos running back could be much riskier for starting lineups this weekend in a meaningless Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival New York Giants. Williams appears to be healthy enough to play on Sunday, but Dallas could give rookie Jaydon Blue some run with an eye towards next season. We should have a clearer picture of how Dallas' backfield will shake out later this week.