Who Should I Start? Jaleel McLaughlin or Bucky Irving

Monday, November 24, 12:48 PM

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton said that running back Jaleel McLaughlin had a number of good runs in the team's big Week 11 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs and pointed to him "being important down the stretch," per Zac Stevens of DNVR Sports. McLaughlin played only 13% of the offensive snaps before the team's Week 12 bye and had six carries for 19 yards, but he did find the end zone for the first time this year in just his second game played. Rookie RJ Harvey is expected to lead Denver's backfield the rest of the way with J.K. Dobbins (foot) done for the year, but it sounds like McLaughlin is going to have a bigger role to close out 2025. At the very least, McLaughlin could become the Broncos' preferred goal-line back, which would give him streaming appeal in deeper leagues as a touchdown-dependent option. McLaughlin is currently rostered in 1% of Yahoo leagues.

Monday, November 24, 12:39 PM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said on Monday that running back Bucky Irving (foot, shoulder) will practice all week before the team re-evaluates him on Friday, according to the Pewter Report. Irving hasn't played since Week 4, but he has practiced the last two weeks and is expected to make his return in Week 13 versus the Arizona Cardinals. The 23-year-old has been rehabbing from a subluxated shoulder and a foot sprain. The Tampa offense could use a boost, especially with quarterback Baker Mayfield (shoulder) now injured, but Irving could be eased back into a crowded backfield that also includes Sean Tucker and Rachaad White. Before his injury, Irving was the team's clear RB1, recording 165 scrimmage yards in four games. He should be rostered in all fantasy leagues, but he'll be a shaky fantasy play in his first game back in what could become a committee backfield the rest of the season.