Who Should I Start? Keaton Mitchell or Emari Demercado

Saturday, October 4, 11:23 AM

Baltimore Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell is expected to be active for the first time this season against the Houston Texans. The third-year back has been a healthy scratch through the first four weeks, but he's finally set to make his season debut in Week 5. With Lamar Jackson (hamstring) sidelined, the Ravens are expected to lean heavily on the run game, especially with four running backs now on the active roster. The Texans have allowed the 15th-most fantasy points to running backs, and while Mitchell isn't projected to see a major workload right away, his activation adds excitement to Baltimore's backfield rotation. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on how he's utilized in this new-look offense, as his explosiveness could earn him a more significant role moving forward.

Friday, October 17, 1:11 PM

Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado (ankle) has been ruled out for Week 7 this Sunday against the visiting Green Bay Packers, according to head coach Jonathan Gannon. Demercado suffered an ankle injury in last week's loss to the Indianapolis Colts and was unable to practice all week. The 26-year-old will now have next week's bye to heal up before potentially returning for a Week 9 contest versus the Dallas Cowboys. Demercado was a popular waiver-wire addition when Trey Benson (knee) suffered a knee injury in Week 4, but it was Michael Carter, not Demercado, who took over the majority of backfield work for the Cardinals. Arizona then went to Bam Knight as their primary backfield option in Week 6, with Carter taking on most of the pass-catching duties. Expect that to continue against Green Bay, with D'Ernest Johnson or Jermar Jefferson serving in the RB3 role with Demercado out.