Who Should I Start? Jaleel McLaughlin or Jonathon Brooks

Friday, December 19, 12:28 PM

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton hinted earlier this week that more work could be on the way for running back Jaleel McLaughlin, according to Jon Heath of Broncos Wire. "We're doing it in third-down situations with Tyler Badie and Adam Prentice," Payton said. "Jaleel, I probably need to get him a little bit more touches. I made that note after the game. Again, RJ Harvey is built in a way where he can handle a good dose of running." Harvey injured his ribs late in Sunday's win over the Green Bay Packers, but he's fine and ready to go for Week 16 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Harvey has had as many as 23 touches in a game since J.K. Dobbins' season-ending injury, while McLaughlin has had a high of seven. He had only two carries in Week 15. McLaughlin will probably be a little more involved to close out the season, but make no mistake, Harvey is Denver's RB1.

Monday, December 8, 12:54 PM

Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) is exactly a year removed from tearing his right ACL for a second time, but he said that he feels "pretty much almost 100 percent again," according to Joe Person of The Athletic. Brooks is doing straight-line running and hopes to start mixing in full-speed cutting and route running soon. Barring a setback, he could return to the practice field in the spring for organized team activities (OTAs). The 22-year-old was the team's second-round pick back in 2024 out of Texas. Since his injury, the Panthers signed Rico Dowdle in free agency and took Trevor Etienne in the fourth round of this year's draft. Dowdle has been one of the best backs in the NFL this year and has formed a dangerous 1-2 punch in Carolina's backfield with Chuba Hubbard. Any expectations fantasy managers holding Brooks might have in dynasty/keeper leagues must be tempered by concerns of injury risk.