Who Should I Start? Jaret Patterson or Pierre Strong Jr.

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, 2:27 PM

The Green Bay Packers have elevated running back Pierre Strong Jr. from their practice squad to the active roster ahead of the team's Week 15 matchup against the Denver Broncos. With top Green Bay running backs Josh Jacobs (knee) and Emanuel Wilson (illness) both questionable for Sunday, the Packers could be forced to turn to Strong Jr. and Chris Brooks in the backfield. The 27-year-old Strong Jr. has yet to appear in a game so far in 2025. Across 14 games with the Cleveland Browns in 2024, he recorded 212 scrimmage yards on 40 touches. Brooks has just 66 total carries across 37 career NFL games, so it's unclear who Green Bay would turn to as the lead back if both Jacobs and Wilson are out. Fantasy managers may want to stash Strong Jr. off the waiver wire just in case he finds himself in a prominent role come game time on Sunday.