Who Should I Start? James Conner or Tony Pollard

Monday, September 22, 6:34 PM

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (ankle) underwent season-ending surgery on Monday after suffering a significant right ankle injury in the third quarter of Sunday's game. Conner was carted off with his ankle immobilized, and head coach Jonathan Gannon confirmed he won't return this season. With Conner sidelined, the Cardinals will turn to second-year back Trey Benson, who has been highly efficient, averaging 6.0 yards per carry (second among RBs). Gannon praised Benson before the season, noting he viewed both Conner and Benson as capable starters. Benson now projects as the lead option in Arizona's backfield, while Emari Demercado is expected to mix in behind him.

Friday, December 26, 9:50 AM

Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard has been on a heater the last three games, scoring three touchdowns, rushing for 367 yards (6.12 YPC), and averaging 18.6 fantasy points per game during this stretch. It's by far the best stretch of the season for him, as in the previous 13 weeks, he had only rushed for 582 yards (3.88 YPC) and two touchdowns. Because of the recent surge in production, Pollard has worked his way up the running back ranks to become more of a lower-end RB2 compared to the RB3 rankings, where he has been a majority of the season, considering he is playing about 50 percent of the team's snaps, and splitting work with Tyjae Spears. The young Titans offense as a whole has looked much better the last few weeks, so it should not come as a surprise that Pollard's production has been better of late as well. Week 17 presents a mediocre matchup, as the Saints rank 17th overall in fantasy points allowed to the running back position, keeping Pollard in the low-end RB2 ranks. RotoBaller ranks him as the RB22 for the week.