Who Should I Start? Nick Chubb or Jonathon Brooks

Friday, December 20, 12:19 PM

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (foot), who suffered a season-ending broken foot in the Week 15 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, is headed for free agency in March, and The Athletic's Zac Jackson writes that it's hard to say what Chubb's future in Cleveland might be. Jerome Ford will be the team's clear lead runner over the final three games of the season, with Pierre Strong Jr. and D'Onta Foreman also being evaluated in bigger roles. Strong is a candidate to return in 2025, but Foreman is not. Chubb is a popular player in the locker room and among fans, but the Browns must determine how much they think he has left after ending each of the last two seasons on Injured Reserve due to injuries. The 28-year-old four-time Pro Bowler may never be the same after suffering a gruesome knee injury early in 2023. In just eight games in 2024, Chubb didn't look the same and averaged a career-low 3.3 yards per tote.

Tuesday, December 10, 8:40 PM

The Carolina Panthers officially placed rookie second-round running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) on season-ending Injured Reserve on Tuesday after he sustained another torn right ACL in the Week 14 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. Brooks tore the same ACL while playing at Texas in college last fall, which is why he didn't make his NFL debut until Week 11. The 21-year-old will almost certainly open the 2025 campaign on IR yet again and probably won't make his season debut late in the year, similar to what transpired this year. It's a devastating blow for the youngster and for those with shares in dynasty/keeper leagues, as Brooks may never be the explosive back in the NFL that he was in college. In three games with Carolina before tearing his ACL again, Brooks had nine carries for 22 yards and three catches for 23 yards as the distant No. 2 back behind starter Chuba Hubbard.