Who Should I Start? Jerome Ford or Jonathon Brooks

Thursday, January 2, 2:02 PM

Cleveland Browns running backs Jerome Ford (ankle) and Pierre Strong Jr. (concussion) have both been ruled out for the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens on Saturday. Ford sprained his ankle in the Week 17 loss to the Miami Dolphins and will be unavailable to play in the final game of the season. With Nick Chubb (foot) getting a late start in 2024 while recovering from a gruesome knee injury he suffered in 2023, Ford opened 2024 as Cleveland's RB1 and will finish the year as their leading rusher with 104 rushing attempts for 565 yards (5.4 yards per carry) and a team-high-tying three rushing touchdowns. With both Ford and Strong out this weekend, D'Onta Foreman will be in play as a low-upside RB3/flex for fantasy managers as the team's lead back. John Kelly should serve as his backup.

Tuesday, February 11, 10:19 PM

Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) will miss most, if not all, of the 2025 season after his second ACL tear in 2024 as a rookie. In addition to Brooks, the Panthers are expected to cut running back Miles Sanders. It's why The Athletic's Joseph Person has the Panthers taking SMU RB Brashard Smith with a fifth-round selection in his 2025 mock draft. Smith could be a nice change-of-pace option behind starter Chuba Hubbard next year in the Panthers' backfield. The 21-year-old Brooks can be avoided in all single-year fantasy drafts this fall after suffering a gruesome injury in his first year in the NFL. Brooks could have a lengthier recovery after already tearing the same ACL in his final collegiate season at the University of Texas. In three games in 2024, Brooks had nine carries for 22 yards and caught all three of his targets for 23 yards.