Who Should I Start? Nick Chubb or Jonathon Brooks

Sunday, December 14, 11:49 AM

As expected, Houston Texans running back Nick Chubb (ribs) will not play on Sunday against the visiting Arizona Cardinals in Week 15 due to a rib injury. Chubb injured his ribs in the Sunday night win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 14 and did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday. The 29-year-old returned to a limited practice on Friday, but it wasn't enough to clear him to play this weekend against Arizona. Even before his injury, Chubb had become a lackluster, low-upside RB3/flex option for fantasy managers as the No. 2 in Houston's backfield behind rookie Woody Marks. In his first year in Houston, the four-time Pro Bowler is averaging 4.1 yards per carry for 472 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 115 carries. Marks had a season-high 26 carries last week in KC and should be guaranteed another heavy workload in a great matchup against the Cardinals. Dare Ogunbowale figures to work as the RB2 behind Marks with Chubb out.

Monday, December 8, 12:54 PM

Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) is exactly a year removed from tearing his right ACL for a second time, but he said that he feels "pretty much almost 100 percent again," according to Joe Person of The Athletic. Brooks is doing straight-line running and hopes to start mixing in full-speed cutting and route running soon. Barring a setback, he could return to the practice field in the spring for organized team activities (OTAs). The 22-year-old was the team's second-round pick back in 2024 out of Texas. Since his injury, the Panthers signed Rico Dowdle in free agency and took Trevor Etienne in the fourth round of this year's draft. Dowdle has been one of the best backs in the NFL this year and has formed a dangerous 1-2 punch in Carolina's backfield with Chuba Hubbard. Any expectations fantasy managers holding Brooks might have in dynasty/keeper leagues must be tempered by concerns of injury risk.