Who Should I Start? Miles Sanders or D'Ernest Johnson

Friday, November 22, 1:14 PM

After missing practice all week, Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders (ankle) has officially been ruled out for Week 12 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Sanders said he's dealing with a severely sprained ankle that he suffered in the Week 10 loss to the New York Giants in Germany, which means he may not be ready to return for Week 13 to face the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His fantasy stock is taking another hit with rookie Jonathon Brooks (knee) fully expected to make his NFL debut this weekend against the Chiefs after recovering from an ACL tear that he suffered in 2023 in his final collegiate season at Texas. Brooks will serve as the change-of-pace back behind starter Chuba Hubbard on Sunday and most likely for the rest of the 2024 season, relegating Sanders to the RB3 role whenever he recovers from his ankle injury.

Saturday, November 16, 12:00 PM

Jacksonville Jaguars running back D'Ernest Johnson could get some opportunities to produce this week against the Detroit Lions. With Tank Bigsby out with an ankle injury, Johnson should serve as the clear backup to Travis Etienne Jr. While the Jaguars have used multiple backs for most of the season, that is mostly due to Etienne Jr.'s previous season performances and Bigsby's emergence this season. In the weeks when Etienne Jr. missed due to injury, Johnson didn't produce much. He did do decent against the Patriots in Week 6, producing 70 total yards on 12 touches. However, the Patriots have been one of the worst run defenses this season, while the Lions have been one of the better run defenses this season. Unless Johnson gets involved in the passing game, he is nothing more than a desperate fantasy option in Week 11 against the Lions.