Who Should I Start? Devin Neal or Brashard Smith

Thursday, December 18, 5:00 PM

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that New Orleans Saints running back Devin Neal (hamstring) has been placed on Injured Reserve, ending his 2025 season. Neal suffered a hamstring injury during New Orleans' Week 15 win over the Carolina Panthers. With Saints backs Alvin Kamara (knee, ankle) and Kendre Miller (knee) sidelined, Neal has served as his team's RB1 since Week 13. The 22-year-old played well across his two fully healthy starts, recording 153 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 37 touches. With Kamara's return timeline uncertain and Neal and Miller both done for the season, the Saints appear likely to turn to the combination of Audric Estime and Evan Hull for backfield snaps down the stretch of the season. Estime was the more productive of the two backs in Week 15, recording 50 scrimmage yards on six touches. New Orleans will host the New York Jets in Week 16 before traveling to Tennessee to take on the Titans in Week 17.

Monday, December 29, 11:07 PM

Across 16 games this season, Kansas City Chiefs running back Brashard Smith has recorded 265 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 55 touches. The 22-year-old's opportunities have been limited by the presence of veteran Chiefs backs Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco, who have dominated the team's rushing work for most of the 2025 season. Over his last seven games, Smith has logged just four carries. However, Smith has seen a larger role in the Kansas City passing game. In Week 17, Smith earned four targets from Chiefs quarterback Chris Oladokun and hauled in his first receiving touchdown of the season. With Oladukun likely in line to make his second start of the season in Week 18 against the Las Vegas Raiders, Smith could continue to see work as a pass-catcher. In deep PPR fantasy leagues, Smith may be worth targeting on the waiver wire heading into Week 18.