Who Should I Start? David Montgomery or Tank Bigsby

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, January 3, 1:15 PM

Philadelphia Eagles running back Tank Bigsby is expected to be the starter for the regular season finale against the Washington Commanders, with the team resting their starters before the playoffs. Bigbsy has served as the primary backup to Saquon Barkley after being traded to the Eagles from Jacksonville following Week 1. The 24-year-old has been one of the most efficient runners in the league on his small sample of carries, handling 47 attempts for 281 yards and a touchdown. His 5.98 yards per carry is the highest in the league among running backs with at least 45 carries. The former Jacksonville Jaguar has a prime opportunity to produce in Week 18 against a soft Washington Commanders defense that has allowed the fourth most PPR points per game to running backs this season. Bigsby will likely share touches with Will Shipley, but should receive the bulk of the carries. He is ranked as RotoBaller's RB20 for Week 18.