Who Should I Start? Keaton Mitchell or Jacory Croskey-Merritt
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.7 | 23.6 | 0.1 | 0.8 | 6.3 | 0.0 |
Keaton Mitchell News
Thursday, September 3, 11:50 AM
Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell (undisclosed) was not practicing on Thursday during the portion open to the media, according to Kris Rhim of ESPN. Mitchell was working off to the side with a trainer, and he has now missed six straight practices. It is unclear what the 24-year-old is dealing with as the start of the 2026 regular season quickly approaches, and Mitchell's status for the Week 1 contest on Sunday, Sept. 13, against the Arizona Cardinals is now in question. If Mitchell is limited or out to begin the year, second-year back Omarion Hampton and Kimani Vidal will both have higher fantasy ceilings against Arizona. A former undrafted free agent from East Carolina, Mitchell played in just 26 games (two starts) in his first three NFL seasons with the Baltimore Ravens due to injuries, although he has always been an intriguing big-play threat out of the backfield with explosive tendencies. When Mitchell, Hampton, and Vidal are all healthy in 2026, offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel plans for them all to have a role, although Hampton is the clear favorite to lead the Bolts in backfield touches. Mitchell's fantasy ceiling and floor will not be very high unless Hampton misses time with an injury, but Mitchell himself must get healthy first. RotoBaller has him ranked as the RB46.
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.2 | 43.2 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 6.0 | 0.0 |
Jacory Croskey-Merritt News
Monday, August 31, 1:51 PM
Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (groin) was not participating in Monday's practice, but it sounds like he should return to the field next week, according to John Keim of ESPN. Croskey-Merritt is believed to be dealing with a minor groin injury that caused him to sit out of the team's final two preseason games. But as long as JCM is back on the practice field next week, he should be in line to play in the Week 1 regular-season opener against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Sept. 13. Heading into his second year in the NFL, Croskey-Merritt is positioned to lead Washington on early downs, but his fantasy upside will be capped by the presence of newcomer and pass-game specialist Rachaad White (hamstring), who is expected to see most of the targets out of the backfield as a receiver. Both backs are a little banged up, though, so it is possible that rookie Kaytron Allen sees a bigger role out of the gates in Week 1. In season-long redraft leagues, Croskey-Merritt should be drafted as an RB3/flex with upside in his sophomore campaign. The former seventh-rounder from Arizona impressed with 805 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 175 carries in his first NFL season, adding only nine receptions for 68 yards through the air in 17 games.
Keaton Mitchell vs. Jacory Croskey-Merritt
Still trying to decide between Mitchell and Croskey-Merritt? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Keaton Mitchell is projected to score 4.7 points this week while Jacory Croskey-Merritt is projected to score 8.2 points.
Latest Fantasy News
