Who Should I Start? Justice Hill or Audric Estime

Friday, December 19, 3:00 PM

Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill (neck) has been progressing from the neck injury that landed him on Injured Reserve in late November, and could return as early as Week 17, according to head coach John Harbaugh. Hill sustained the injury during practice and has not played in a game since Week 12, but Harbaugh believes a return for the team's Week 17 matchup with the Packers is a real possibility. Used primarily as the team's passing back, Hill's absence has led to more opportunities for Keaton Mitchell and second-year back Rasheen Ali, though neither has seen enough work to enter the fantasy discussion. Derrick Henry, who somewhat quietly has amassed 1,000 rushing yards and double-digit touchdowns for the seventh time in his last eight seasons, remains an every-week start regardless of who is spelling him.

Sunday, December 28, 9:17 PM

New Orleans Saints running back Audric Estime had a big day in his team's 34-26 Week 17 win over the Tennessee Titans, recording 14 carries for 94 yards and a touchdown. Estime also hauled in one reception for four yards on one target. With Saints running backs Alvin Kamara (knee, ankle), Kendre Miller (knee), and Devin Neal (hamstring) all on the shelf, Estime appears to have taken over the lead role in the New Orleans backfield. In Week 17, Estime's 15 touches were triple the combined total of fellow Saints rushers Evan Hull and Taysom Hill (five). Across 19 career NFL games, Estime has now recorded 445 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 101 carries. He could be a viable starting running back option for fantasy managers in Week 18 when New Orleans takes on the Atlanta Falcons.