Who Should I Start? Israel Abanikanda or Malik Davis

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.

Friday, January 2, 2:08 PM

Dallas running back Malik Davis (calf, eye) has yet to practice this week and could be a game-time decision for the Cowboys' Week 18 matchup with the Giants. With the status of Javonte Williams (shoulder, neck) also up in the air, Davis would be in line for an expanded workload if he's able to work through his separate calf and eye injuries to suit up on Sunday. With little at stake beyond divisional pride, the more likely path is that Dallas will take extra precautions with their veterans and turn the backfield over to rookie Phil Mafah (shoulder), who has also been limited with a shoulder concern of his own. The Giants have been the second most generous defense to opposing running backs, making the Cowboys' injury report an important one to monitor for any fantasy managers still competing in Week 18.