Who Should I Start? Jonathon Brooks or Jabari Small

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.

Friday, July 18, 12:12 PM

The Detroit Lions signed free-agent running back Jabari Small to an undisclosed deal on Friday to add depth to their backfield ahead of training camp, a source tells FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz. The former Tennessee Volunteer was with the Tennessee Titans in 2024 as a rookie but didn't see any time on the field in a regular-season game. The 23-year-old will now be battling to make the 53-man roster out of training camp this summer and will be fighting an uphill battle. Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery are Detroit's top two running backs, while they also have Craig Reynolds, Sione Vaki and Kye Robichaux in their RB room. Small spent the majority of last season on the Titans' practice squad before being let go by the team back in May.