Who Should I Start? Kareem Hunt or Saquon Barkley

Friday, January 2, 5:56 PM

Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (illness) was under the weather this week and missed the first two practices. He returned to a full session on Friday, though, and has been removed from the Week 18 injury report. The Chiefs could opt to rest Isiah Pacheco in the regular-season finale against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders, which would put Hunt in line for lead-back duties to close things out. Hunt should only realistically be considered for starting fantasy lineups this weekend if Pacheco is ruled out on Sunday. The 30-year-old has taken on more of a secondary role in the Chiefs' backfield of late, having not seen double-digit carries in any of the last three games. He was the team's preferred option in the backfield for most of the season, though. Hunt has 158 carries for 597 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in 16 games, adding 15 receptions for 122 more yards and a TD through the air.

Thursday, January 8, 10:57 AM

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley finished the 2025 season with 1413 scrimmage yards and nine touchdowns on 317 total attempts. After totaling nearly 2,300 scrimmage yards in 2024, Barkley regressed, dropping from 5.8 yards per carry to 4.1 this season. Despite the Eagles' offensive struggles this season, they are in the playoffs and hosting the San Francisco 49ers in the Wild Card Round. The 49ers allowed the 10th-most fantasy points to running backs this season, and injuries to their defensive line and linebackers should open up lanes for Barkley. The defending champions relied heavily on their star running back in last year's Super Bowl run, and they are expected to do the same as they chase back-to-back Super Bowl titles.