Who Should I Start? Jaret Patterson or Emari Demercado

Monday, December 1, 6:41 PM

Los Angeles Chargers running back Jaret Patterson carried the ball 11 times for 54 yards and a touchdown in the team's 31-14 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. After being signed to the active roster early last week, Patterson served as the primary back behind Kimani Vidal as the Chargers totaled 192 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. Patterson looked decisive and scored his first rushing touchdown of the season as the offense relied heavily on the ground game following Justin Herbert's hand injury. Looking ahead, rookie Omarion Hampton's return from IR is imminent after his 21-day practice window opened last week, which would move Patterson behind Hampton and Vidal. Next Monday night, the Bolts face a Philadelphia Eagles defense that has recently been vulnerable against the run. However, Patterson's fantasy value depends entirely on Hampton's availability in Week 14. If Hampton returns, Patterson might not even see the field. If he doesn't, Patterson will remain a depth piece with a few change-of-pace carries.

Saturday, December 13, 12:55 PM

Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado (ankle) is questionable ahead of the Week 15 matchup against the Houston Texans. Demercado was a limited participant in all three practices this week, which is a positive sign that he will suit up on Sunday. The 26-year-old has been sidelined for the last three weeks due to an ankle injury he sustained during Week 11 against the San Francisco 49ers. If Demercado can play, he will likely slide back into his RB2 role as the primary pass-catching back and compete for carries with Michael Carter and Bam Knight. Entering Week 15, Demercado will face a stout Texans defense that has allowed the fourth-fewest receptions and the fifth-fewest rushing yards this season. In a difficult matchup, Demercado should remain out of fantasy lineups in Week 15. Fantasy managers should view him as a wait-and-see fantasy option in Sunday's game to determine if he can be inserted back into fantasy lineups for Week 16 and beyond.