Who Should I Start? Jerome Ford or Jaleel McLaughlin

Wednesday, October 23, 2:14 PM

Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford (hamstring) is not practicing on Wednesday to begin Week 8 preparation. The third-year back out of Cincinnati did not play in Week 7 due to a hamstring injury and could be at risk of missing the Week 8 contest against the Baltimore Ravens. Luckily for Cleveland, star running back Nick Chubb returned last week for his first game since Week 2 of the 2023 campaign. However, Chubb could only rack up 25 yards on 13 touches last Sunday, though he did score a touchdown. Quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) is out for the season, and Jameis Winston might provide a slight upgrade for the Cleveland offense. However, with Amari Cooper out of town, the unit as a whole is likely to remain a bottom-10 offensive attack in the NFL.

Friday, October 18, 12:21 AM

In the Denver Broncos blowout victory over the New Orleans Saints on Thursday night in Week 7, rookie running back Audric Estime out-carried Jaleel McLaughlin five to four, although McLaughlin out-gained the rookie 35 to 29 on the ground in the 33-10 victory. Estime also lost a fumble. Lead back Javonte Williams was the real winner on the night for Denver's offense with 14 carries for a season-high 88 yards and his first two touchdowns of the year. Estime's five carries were a season-high after seeing two totes apiece in his first two NFL games in Weeks 1 and 6. Although Estime could be in head coach Sean Payton's doghouse after losing a fumble against New Orleans, the rookie's presence in Denver's backfield moving forward is yet another reason why McLaughlin cannot be trusted in starting fantasy lineups. Neither RB was targeted in the passing game on Thursday.