Who Should I Start? Kimani Vidal or Jordan James

Thursday, January 8, 6:26 PM

Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal could have a significant role on offense on Wild-Card weekend when the Bolts face off against the New England Patriots on Sunday night, as rookie RB Omarion Hampton (ankle) has yet to practice this week due to an ankle injury. Hampton was rested in the Week 18 regular-season finale versus the Denver Broncos, but he may have aggravated an ankle injury that landed him on Injured Reserve earlier this year. When Hampton was on the shelf, Vidal filled in nicely as a replacement RB1 for L.A., reaching the 100-yard mark three times while also scoring double-digit half-PPR fantasy points five times. The matchup against New England on the road is not a good one for the Chargers' running game behind a patchwork offensive line, but Vidal's increased volume alone as the RB1 would boost him to high-end RB2 territory in fantasy if Hampton isn't cleared to play.

Saturday, September 27, 5:17 AM

San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan James did not appear on the team's injury report for the first time this season. James suffered a broken finger in early August, before preseason games started, and it lingered into the regular season. James had one full practice in Week 2 and three consecutive full sessions in Week 3, but was a healthy scratch from both games, so he is still waiting to make his professional debut. With Christian McCaffrey at the top of the depth chart and Brian Robinson Jr. having a firm grasp as his direct backup, James is unlikely to see much, if any, time on the field if he suits up on Sunday. As such, he has no value in fantasy football going into San Francisco's Week 4 game against Jacksonville.