Who Should I Start? Elijah Mitchell or Nathan Carter

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).

Saturday, August 16, 11:19 AM

Atlanta Falcons backup running back Nathan Carter led the team's backfield in Friday's 23-20 preseason loss to the Titans, rushing nine times for 63 yards, which included a 43-yard touchdown scamper straight up through the middle of the Tennessee defense in the third quarter. The rookie out of Michigan State got the most run of all the Falcon running backs, adding two catches for nine yards to his stat line, while Jashaun Corbin touched the ball six times and Elijah Dotson received three carries and one reception. Carter's run featured some good vision and breakaway speed, a couple of traits that should go a long way in helping to secure a roster spot as the regular season nears.