Who Should I Start? Elijah Mitchell or Emanuel Wilson

Friday, September 5, 7:20 PM

Kansas City Chiefs running back Elijah Mitchell is a healthy inactive for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Friday night in Brazil against the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers, according to Nate Taylor of ESPN. It's bad news for Mitchell heading into his first year with the Chiefs, as it looks like he's the RB4 to open the year, behind starter Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt and rookie Brashard Smith. The 27-year-old was getting some first-team reps early in training camp, but that was a long time ago in late July. Mitchell signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal with KC in the offseason after spending his first three NFL seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. In his three years in the Bay Area, the former sixth-rounder in 2021 out of Louisiana averaged 4.7 yards per tote on 327 rush attempts for 1,523 yards and nine touchdowns (five in his rookie season).

Monday, September 8, 12:31 PM

Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson was expected to have an elevated role as the RB2 behind starter Josh Jacobs in the Week 1 divisional clash against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field, but he ended up with just one carry for a four-yard gain in the 27-13 victory. He was not targeted in the passing game. Meanwhile, fellow backup Chris Brooks also had one carry for one yard and caught his only target for a two-yard pickup. Jacobs dominated backfield touches for the Pack, handing 19 rushing attempts for 66 yards and a touchdown and also catching his only target for four yards. Wilson and Brooks could be more involved going forward with MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) out to begin the year, but this certainly wasn't a good sign for their involvement behind a healthy Jacobs in 2025.