Who Should I Start? Isiah Pacheco or Ja'Lynn Polk

Tuesday, January 14, 6:20 PM

According to the team, Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (rib) logged a full practice on Tuesday. Pacheco sustained a rib injury during their Week 17 victory over the Steelers and was held out of action in Week 18 as the Chiefs already locked up the top seed in the conference. However, seeing the 25-year-old open the week as a full participant suggests he will be a full-go for Saturday's game against the Houston Texans. Since returning from a fractured fibula in Week 13, Pacheco has averaged just 35.0 rushing yards per game and has been in a split committee with Kareem Hunt. During this stretch, he only logged double-digit attempts in two contests. Fantasy managers should view Pacheco as a low-end RB2 in DFS formats facing the Houston Texans.

Friday, January 3, 6:55 PM

New England Patriots rookie wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk (shoulder) did not practice at all this week and has been ruled out for the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Buffalo Bills. Meanwhile, fellow wideout Kayshon Boutte (illness) was cleared to play. The 22-year-old Polk will finish off what has been a bad rookie season early due to a shoulder injury. The second-round selection just never had much of a chance to excel in 2024 in a bad offense with rookie quarterback Drake Maye struggling to find his footing with limited weapons around him. Polk will finish his first year in the NFL with only 12 catches on 33 targets for 87 yards and two touchdowns in 15 games (seven starts). The Patriots will surely look to bring in upgraded receiving options this offseason, giving Polk and others even more competition.