Who Should I Start? Israel Abanikanda or Jordan Mims

Monday, September 9, 7:44 PM

New York Jets running back Israel Abanikanda is a healthy scratch for the team's Week 1 regular-season opener at Levi's Stadium on Monday night against the San Francisco 49ers. Abanikanda enters the 2024 season as the team's RB4 behind starter and bell-cow Breece Hall and rookies Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis. As such, the 21-year-old is obviously off the fantasy radar in most single-year leagues for the time being unless injuries push him into a relevant game-day role. The former fifth-round pick out of Pittsburgh last year was also buried on the depth chart in his rookie season and finished with 22 carries for 70 yards while catching seven passes for 43 yards in only six games. Abanikanda has breakaway speed but is once again buried on the depth chart and will have to wait for his opportunity beyond Week 1.

Sunday, September 14, 1:00 AM

According to the team, the Tennessee Titans have elevated running back Jordan Mims to their active roster ahead of Sunday's game against the visiting Los Angeles Rams. With teammate Kalel Mullings (ankle) doubtful for Week 2 with an ankle injury, the 26-year-old will step in and suit up for the first time this season. In Week 1, Mullings was technically Tennessee's third option out of the backfield. However, he did not garner a snap on offense, while Tony Pollard dominated with a robust 89% snap share. Pollard is likely to handle a hefty workload again in another tough matchup, with Julius Chestnut mixing in sparsely behind. Mims could fall victim to the same fate as Mullings and participate only on special teams. Either way, he'll be there in case Chestnut and Pollard need a spell.