Who Should I Start? Israel Abanikanda or Sione Vaki

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.

Monday, September 22, 11:11 PM

The Detroit Lions downgraded special teamer Sione Vaki (groin) to out during Monday Night Football against the Baltimore Ravens. Listed as a running back, Vaki is a key part of the Lions' special teams, but doesn't have much of a role on offense. His injury will be worth monitoring in the coming weeks for Detroit fans, but he's not on the radar for fantasy.