Who Should I Start? Kendre Miller or Israel Abanikanda

Friday, January 3, 3:28 PM

New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (concussion) didn't practice all week and has been ruled out for the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers after he suffered a concussion in the Week 17 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. Alvin Kamara (groin) is doubtful to play as well, which means Clyde Edwards-Helaire could lead the Saints' backfield against the Bucs this weekend, with veteran Jamaal Williams and Jordan Mims also pitching in. The 22-year-old Miller dealt with more injuries in his sophomore season in the NFL after playing in only eight games as a rookie in 2023. The former TCU product played in just eight games in 2024 and had 39 rushing attempts for 148 yards and one touchdown, adding five catches for 33 yards. Miller's standing in the organization has likely soured after two injury-filled years to begin his career.

Monday, September 9, 7:44 PM

New York Jets running back Israel Abanikanda is a healthy scratch for the team's Week 1 regular-season opener at Levi's Stadium on Monday night against the San Francisco 49ers. Abanikanda enters the 2024 season as the team's RB4 behind starter and bell-cow Breece Hall and rookies Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis. As such, the 21-year-old is obviously off the fantasy radar in most single-year leagues for the time being unless injuries push him into a relevant game-day role. The former fifth-round pick out of Pittsburgh last year was also buried on the depth chart in his rookie season and finished with 22 carries for 70 yards while catching seven passes for 43 yards in only six games. Abanikanda has breakaway speed but is once again buried on the depth chart and will have to wait for his opportunity beyond Week 1.