Who Should I Start? Matt Breida or Ke'Shawn Vaughn

Friday, December 22, 1:40 AM

New York Giants running back Matt Breida (hamstring) is dealing with a hamstring injury in Week 16 and was listed as limited on the team's first practice report on Thursday. The good news is Breida has an extra day to recover this week with the G-Men not playing until Christmas Day against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles, but his status bears watching as the backup to starting RB Saquon Barkley. The 28-year-old should be available in Week 16, barring a setback the next couple of days. Breida doesn't have any standalone fantasy value with limited volume behind a bell-cow back in an offense that doesn't put up many points. He has only 55 rushing attempts all year for 151 yards (2.75 yards per carry) and one touchdown in 14 total contests. If Breida is limited or out on Monday, rookie Eric Gray would be Barkley's direct backup.

Tuesday, December 19, 12:25 AM

The New England Patriots are expected to sign free-agent running back Ke'Shawn Vaughn to their practice squad. With Rachaad White accumulating 108.1 scrimmage yards per game with seven total touchdowns since Week 7, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers waived the expendable Vaughn on Friday. The Bucs spent a third-round pick on Vaughn in the 2020 NFL Draft, and the tailback never quite made much noise during his Tampa Bay career. The 26-year-old rushed 103 times for 384 yards (3.7 yards per carry) with 14 receptions for 81 yards and three lifetime scores in 43 games. Vaughn is set to serve as backfield depth for the Pats, who let go of Ty Montgomery last week and are currently missing lead back Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) to an ankle sprain. Ezekiel Elliott would still handle an every-down role if Stevenson remains out on Christmas Eve against the Denver Broncos.