Who Should I Start? Lamical Perine or Patrick Taylor

Tuesday, September 10, 9:10 PM

Green Bay Packers running back La'Mical Perine has been released by the organization on Tuesday. Perine joined the Packers a few weeks ago after getting cut by the Pittsburgh Steelers at the end of August. Perine was on the Packers practice squad, but they needed to move him in order to make room for tight end Johnny Lumpkin. Through three seasons, Perine has 340 rushing yards and two touchdowns between the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs. The 26-year-old will look to catch on elsewhere as a depth option.

Friday, December 20, 10:01 PM

San Francisco 49ers running back Patrick Taylor Jr. is expected to draw his first career start filling in for the ruled-out rookie Isaac Guerendo (foot, hamstring) in Miami on Sunday. With Guerendo healthy enough to play, the undrafted 26-year-old Taylor Jr. received neither touch nor target in last week's loss to the Los Angeles Rams. The last time Taylor was involved was in Week 14 versus Chicago when he took seven carries for 25 yards, one touchdown, and one unfulfilled target. On the surface, Taylor Jr. may seem like a must-start since head coach Kyle Shanahan always rides his lead back heavily, but it's appropriate to temper expectations. If one includes Elijah Mitchell -- who was ruled out for the year in the preseason -- San Francisco is down to their fifth-string running back whose career YPC (3.9) is significantly below all four backs ahead of him. As a result, Shanahan may be compelled to use some combination of Taylor Jr., Israel Abanikanda, and Ke'Shawn Vaughn. Taylor Jr. is also less likely than his injured teammates to produce as a receiver. Miami's D is ranked 14th in running back half-PPR points against. The talent and usage questions place Taylor Jr. firmly in RB3/FLEX territory, even in a decent matchup.