Who Should I Start? David Montgomery or Ray Davis

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.

Saturday, December 27, 11:11 AM

Buffalo Bills running back Ray Davis (knee) has logged a week of full practice participation and was viewed as a valuable handcuff coming into Week 17. Fortunately for most fantasy managers, that handcuff is no longer required, as starting running back James Cook is at full health heading into a Week 17 matchup with the Eagles. Davis has put up 120 rushing yards on the year, an additional 51 receiving yards, and one touchdown through the air. With Cook currently leading the race for this year's rushing crown, it seems unlikely that Davis will see much run against an uncharacteristically beatable Eagles front, and he can be dropped wherever roster flexibility is needed for Championship weekend.