Who Should I Start? Nick Chubb or Tyjae Spears

Saturday, August 23, 1:11 PM

Houston Texans running back Nick Chubb will not suit up for the team's preseason finale on Saturday versus the Detroit Lions, according to Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle. Alexander notes that unless Chubb is dealing with an injury, he's likely a lock to start in Week 1 of the regular season against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Sept. 7, with Joe Mixon (ankle, foot) still sidelined due to injury. Dameon Pierce, rookie Woody Marks and Dare Ogunbowale were all in uniform for Saturday's contest in Detroit. In his lone preseason appearance, the 29-year-old Chubb had five carries for 25 yards and caught one pass for a gain of four yards. Chubb, a four-time Pro Bowler, might get the start in Week 1, but Houston figures to mix and match in their backfield until Mixon is able to return. He did not look like the same explosive back last year after a serious knee injury in 2023 and is only the RB53 at RotoBaller.

Tuesday, August 26, 11:25 AM

Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears (ankle) will start the season on injured reserve and miss a minimum of four games, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Spears suffered a high ankle sprain in preseason play that will end up sidelining him for close to two months. With Spears set to miss the start of the season, Tony Pollard should be in for a significant volume of snaps and touches in the Titans' backfield. Rookie sixth-rounder Kalel Mullings (ankle) now looks like the leader to be the RB2, but he's dealing with an ankle injury of his own. When Spears returns, he profiles as a low-end RB3/flex option, but fantasy managers need to downgrade him given the now-guaranteed missed time.