Who Should I Start? Jerome Ford or Tyler Allgeier

Tuesday, December 9, 4:41 PM

The Cleveland Browns have placed running back Jerome Ford (shoulder) on Injured Reserve on Tuesday. With only four games remaining, Ford's season will come to an end after suffering a shoulder injury during Cleveland's Week 14 loss to the Tennessee Titans. The 26-year-old totaled 24 carries for 73 yards to go with 26 receptions (32 targets) for 103 yards in 13 games this season as Cleveland's primary passing-down back. His role gradually faded as the season went along, playing just 21.8% of the offensive snaps since Week 7. Rookie Quinshon Judkins will continue to lead Cleveland's backfield, while rookie Dylan Sampson will be the main beneficiary of Ford's absence and should be considered as a waiver-wire pickup in deep PPR leagues this week as RB depth.

Saturday, December 27, 4:51 PM

Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier tied a season high with 16 rush attempts last week, totaling 79 yards on the ground (4.9 yards per rush). Without recording a touchdown, though, and recording one catch for negative six yards left him with a disappointing line for fantasy. Although the 25-year-old has eight touchdowns on the season, he's very susceptible to quiet outings and has not scored in three consecutive games now. It could be tough sledding in Week 17's Monday night home matchup against the Rams, a defense that has allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs and just 92.7 rush yards per game over the last three weeks (fifth-fewest). As 7.5-point underdogs, the Falcons may need to take to the air, which could limit Allgeier's potential involvement, so he'll once again be a risky Flex play in what is likely the championship round for season-long fantasy managers.