Who Should I Start? David Montgomery or Rashee Rice

Thursday, December 19, 6:03 PM

After Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (knee) consulted with medical experts the last few days, sources are optimistic that he avoided a season-ending injury. Montgomery will rehab his MCL injury with the hope that he can return at some point in the playoffs. The 27-year-old will still miss the last three games of the regular season and is no further use to fantasy managers in redraft leagues that are still battling for a championship. The Lions will hold out hope that Monty can recover quickly and join them in the postseason, although there are no guarantees. If Detroit can secure the top seed in the NFC and a first-round bye, it would give Montgomery an extra week of recovery. In the meantime, Jahmyr Gibbs should see all the touches he can handle for the Lions the last three weeks of the regular season, with Craig Reynolds being sprinkled in. Gibbs is a must-start, high-end RB1 going forward.

Tuesday, October 8, 6:11 PM

After having surgery to fix his right LCL on Tuesday, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (knee) is expected to be out for four months, according to multiple sources. It was a best-case scenario for Rice, who will miss the rest of the 2024 season, but the good news is he's expected to make a full recovery. In addition to his knee, Rice also had a hamstring tendon repaired on Tuesday. Barring any setbacks for the 24-year-old during his rehab, he should be ready to go for the start of the 2025 season next fall. With receiver Marquise Brown (shoulder) already out for the year and running back Isiah Pacheco (leg) on Injured Reserve, the Chiefs have lost their best playmakers outside of quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce. Fantasy managers in single-year leagues can obviously drop Rice at this time and look for a replacement.