Who Should I Start? J.K. Dobbins or Bucky Irving

Wednesday, November 26, 7:13 PM

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton isn't ruling out a potential return from running back J.K. Dobbins (foot) later in the year, according to Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post. Dobbins was previously ruled out for the rest of the season due to a foot injury, but if the Broncos make a deep postseason run, Dobbins might be able to return. For fantasy football purposes, managers in single-year leagues can dump Dobbins to the waiver wire if they haven't already done so, since he won't be able to help them before the end of the year. Denver will move forward with rookie second-rounder RJ Harvey as their primary backfield option with Dobbins out, but Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie will also be involved in change-of-pace roles. Harvey will have RB2 upside the rest of the way, while McLaughlin and Badie are simply bench stashes in deeper fantasy leagues.

Thursday, December 4, 6:13 PM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (shoulder) upgraded from a limited practice participant on Wednesday to a full showing on Thursday ahead of the Week 14 game against the division-rival New Orleans Saints on Sunday, according to Sara Palczewski of Louisiana First News. Irving returned in last Sunday's win over the Arizona Cardinals for the first time since suffering foot and shoulder injuries back in Week 4. The 23-year-old played 52% of the offensive snaps and had 19 touches for 81 scrimmage yards and his first rushing touchdown of the year. The Bucs will continue to involve both Rachaad White and Sean Tucker in change-of-pace roles down the stretch, but Irving is their preferred back and has clear RB1 upside for fantasy managers now that he's back and set to see an even bigger workload this weekend against the Saints. Irving is averaging a mediocre 3.4 yards per carry in five games this year, but he's had at least 14 rushing attempts in all five games and has a high floor.