Who Should I Start? Patrick Taylor Jr. or Malik Davis

Wednesday, August 20, 9:56 AM

The San Francisco 49ers have placed veteran running back Patrick Taylor Jr. (shoulder) on the season-ending injured reserve list. Taylor suffered a dislocated shoulder in the team's second preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders, and he joins the growing list of 49ers running backs struck by injury. While presumed backup Isaac Guerendo (shoulder) was able to return to practice on Tuesday after missing several weeks with a shoulder injury of his own, the team has already lost Ameer Abdullah (ribs) for the season. Rookie Jordan James has already missed a few weeks due to a broken finger. After trading Jordan Mason to the Minnesota Vikings, the 49ers' running back depth has been seriously tested already, which is the last thing the team needs in their efforts to keep All-Pro Christian McCaffrey healthy. Jeff Wilson Jr. and Ke'Shawn Vaughn will likely see the majority of work in the team's final preseason game. If he can remain healthy, McCaffrey once more enters the year as perhaps the biggest difference maker in fantasy football. Still, given his checkered injury history, Guerendo is one of the league's most important backups to roster.

Friday, January 2, 2:08 PM

Dallas running back Malik Davis (calf, eye) has yet to practice this week and could be a game-time decision for the Cowboys' Week 18 matchup with the Giants. With the status of Javonte Williams (shoulder, neck) also up in the air, Davis would be in line for an expanded workload if he's able to work through his separate calf and eye injuries to suit up on Sunday. With little at stake beyond divisional pride, the more likely path is that Dallas will take extra precautions with their veterans and turn the backfield over to rookie Phil Mafah (shoulder), who has also been limited with a shoulder concern of his own. The Giants have been the second most generous defense to opposing running backs, making the Cowboys' injury report an important one to monitor for any fantasy managers still competing in Week 18.