Who Should I Start? Jeremy McNichols or Matt Breida

Monday, April 1, 2:02 PM

The Washington Commanders signed free-agent running back Jeremy McNichols to an undisclosed deal on Monday. McNichols spent most of last year on the San Francisco 49ers' practice squad but did play a special teams role in three regular-season games. The former fifth-round pick (162nd overall) by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2017 out of Boise State will serve as running back depth in Washington behind Austin Ekeler, Brian Robinson Jr. and Chris Rodriguez Jr. There's a good chance the 28-year-old will be on the team's practice squad to begin the 2024 regular season if he isn't cut after training camp and the preseason. In his six NFL seasons with four different teams, McNichols has only 90 carries for 364 yards and one rushing touchdown, adding 40 receptions for 295 yards and an additional score in 37 games (zero starts).

Friday, December 22, 1:40 AM

New York Giants running back Matt Breida (hamstring) is dealing with a hamstring injury in Week 16 and was listed as limited on the team's first practice report on Thursday. The good news is Breida has an extra day to recover this week with the G-Men not playing until Christmas Day against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles, but his status bears watching as the backup to starting RB Saquon Barkley. The 28-year-old should be available in Week 16, barring a setback the next couple of days. Breida doesn't have any standalone fantasy value with limited volume behind a bell-cow back in an offense that doesn't put up many points. He has only 55 rushing attempts all year for 151 yards (2.75 yards per carry) and one touchdown in 14 total contests. If Breida is limited or out on Monday, rookie Eric Gray would be Barkley's direct backup.