Who Should I Start? Justice Hill or Kenneth Gainwell

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.

Friday, December 26, 8:47 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell is the fantasy RB21 on the season and carries plenty of value in PPR formats against the Cleveland Browns in Week 17. Although Gainwell is not listed on the team's injury report, the status of all of Pittsburgh's starters needs to be monitored up until game time. If the Baltimore Ravens lose to the Green Bay Packers on Saturday, the Steelers will clinch the AFC North title and could choose to rest some players on Sunday. Assuming Gainwell plays, however, he is set up for success against a Cleveland defense that has surrendered the second-most fantasy points to opposing backs over the past eight weeks. With DK Metcalf suspended, Gainwell's involvement as a pass-catcher could increase. That said, fantasy managers can continue to rely on Gainwell as an RB2 or flex option if he is expected to play a full allotment of snaps.