Who Should I Start? Jordan Mason or Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Tuesday, November 4, 6:30 PM

Though Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. (shoulder) left Sunday's win at Detroit, the team does not believe the injury is serious, which could mean a changing role for fellow running back Jordan Mason. The first-year Viking held down the backfield in Jones' absence with a hamstring injury, but Jones was the more effective of the two options against Detroit by gaining 42 more yards on one fewer carry. Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said the team found "an element of play style and physicality" that it had been lacking, and Jones was the main benefactor. Additionally, Mason probably hasn't helped his cause with a few bad pass-blocking reps that contributed to sacks during the past two weeks. Minnesota may opt to ride the hot hand at running back every week, which can be tricky from a fantasy perspective. But if the Vikings aim to recreate their successful Week 9 game plan, Jones may feature more than Mason in the weeks to come.

Tuesday, November 4, 4:40 PM

Washington Commanders rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt has struggled over the past month after a hot start to the season. The rookie has recorded 51 carries for 151 yards, no touchdowns, and a lost fumble while adding just three receptions (five targets) for nine yards in his past four games. Croskey-Merritt was outproduced by third-year back Chris Rodriguez Jr. in Washington's blowout loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday night. Rodriguez could be earning his way back into a more prominent role on early downs while veteran Jeremy McNichols handles the pass-down responsibilities. Croskey-Merritt has been held below four yards per carry in each of the last four games and has a longest run of just 11 yards in that time. Now, with star quarterback Jayden Daniels (elbow) out for an extended period of time, the Washington offense as a whole takes a significant hit. Croskey-Merritt doesn't catch passes, and now that the explosive runs have dried up, it's left fantasy managers with a disappointing result. After a promising start to his career, Croskey-Merritt looks more like an RB3/RB4 option than the potential league winner he appeared to be earlier in the year.