Who Should I Start? Jonathan Taylor or Jonathon Brooks

Sunday, December 28, 9:25 PM

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor did not have his most efficient day in his team's 23-17 Week 17 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, but he was able to volume his way to solid production. Taylor recorded 21 carries for 70 yards and a touchdown and also hauled in three receptions for 14 yards on six targets. The 26-year-old has now recorded 1,924 yards from scrimmage and 20 touchdowns on 353 touches across 16 games in 2025. While Taylor's numbers for the season are excellent, he's struggled with efficiency throughout the second half of the season. Including Week 17, he's averaged fewer than four yards per carry in five out of his last six games. Still, the Colts' offense remains built around Taylor, as he's recorded at least 18 touches in every game but two this season. Indianapolis will travel to Houston to take on the Texans in Week 18.

Monday, December 8, 12:54 PM

Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) is exactly a year removed from tearing his right ACL for a second time, but he said that he feels "pretty much almost 100 percent again," according to Joe Person of The Athletic. Brooks is doing straight-line running and hopes to start mixing in full-speed cutting and route running soon. Barring a setback, he could return to the practice field in the spring for organized team activities (OTAs). The 22-year-old was the team's second-round pick back in 2024 out of Texas. Since his injury, the Panthers signed Rico Dowdle in free agency and took Trevor Etienne in the fourth round of this year's draft. Dowdle has been one of the best backs in the NFL this year and has formed a dangerous 1-2 punch in Carolina's backfield with Chuba Hubbard. Any expectations fantasy managers holding Brooks might have in dynasty/keeper leagues must be tempered by concerns of injury risk.