Who Should I Start? Patrick Taylor Jr. or Michael Carter

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.

Monday, December 15, 11:59 PM

Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter had 14 carries for 56 yards in Sunday's 40-20 loss to the Houston Texans in Week 15. Carter also had four catches for 38 yards on four targets. The 26-year-old was the next man up in the Cardinals' backfield after Bam Knight (ankle) was carted off the field early in the game. Carter was able to step into the Cardinals' RB1 role and display his versatile skill set in the run and pass games. With the Cardinals unsure of Knight's status for Week 16, Carter's fantasy stock is rising and should be on fantasy managers' radars. If Knight can't play next week against the Atlanta Falcons, Carter and Emari Demercado would split work in the backfield. Carter could be in for a bigger role in the Cardinals' offense and is worth picking up off the waiver wire going into Week 16.