Who Should I Start? Josh Jacobs or Jahmyr Gibbs

Saturday, August 16, 1:50 PM

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs will not play in Saturday's second preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts, according to Packers beat writer Mike Spofford. Jacobs will take a seat after playing just one offensive snap in the preseason opener last week against the New York Jets. Most of the team's key starters won't feature this weekend, including quarterback Jordan Love (thumb) and receivers Jayden Reed (knee), Dontayvion Wicks (calf) and Romeo Doubs (back). In his first year in Green Bay in 2024, Jacobs topped 1,000 rushing yards for the fourth time in his six NFL seasons and scored a career-high 15 rushing touchdowns on 301 carries. Jacobs should again be the workhorse in the Packers' backfield this year, but fantasy managers should expect TD regression, making him more of a low-end RB1 target in fantasy.

Tuesday, July 29, 6:30 PM

The Athletic's Colton Pouncy points out that "one thing that's been clear as these practices have unfolded is that Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs is usually the first back on the field with the starters." In past years, David Montgomery would often get the bulk of the first carries of the game before we'd see Gibbs. Pouncy cautions that it could be nothing to read into, but there was a clear pecking order that often translated to games. With Montgomery injured last year, Gibbs couldn't be stopped, totaling 487 scrimmage yards and six touchdowns in the final three games of the regular season. It's now Year 3 for Gibbs, and the Lions have been open about using more two-back sets with both Gibbs and Monty. In addition to being used out of the backfield, Gibbs has also lined up at receiver with Montgomery on the field. It looks like the Lions want Gibbs on the field as much as possible in 2025.