Who Should I Start? De'Von Achane or Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Sunday, January 4, 3:43 PM

Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane (shoulder) is officially inactive for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the New England Patriots. He had been listed as doubtful after missing all three practices this past week. Achane finishes his third NFL season with a career-high 1,350 rushing yards. He also logged 67 catches, 488 receiving yards, and 12 total touchdowns while ranking as the overall RB5 in full-PPR scoring to this point. We expect second-year back Jaylen Wright to earn more snaps with Achane sidelined. Wright had 24 carries, 107 rushing yards, and one touchdown against the Jets in Week 14, and he also found the end zone in Week 16 versus Cincinnati. New England has a very strong run defense, but Wright still ranks as a volume-based RB2 for fantasy football.

Thursday, January 1, 4:37 PM

Washington Commanders rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (illness) was able to practice in full on Thursday after he was held out due to illness on Wednesday. Croskey-Merritt had his second 100-yard game and two rushing touchdowns in last week's Christmas Day loss to the Dallas Cowboys, with Chris Rodriguez Jr. out due to illness. Rodriguez is back in the fold for the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles this weekend, though, so fantasy managers will want to lower expectations for Croskey-Merritt in the final game of his rookie season. The 24-year-old JCM could be Washington's lead back against the Eagles, but Rodriguez's presence will definitely cap the rookie's upside this weekend.