Who Should I Start? Patrick Taylor Jr. or Pierre Strong Jr.

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.

Saturday, October 18, 2:51 PM

The Green Bay Packers have elevated running back Pierre Strong Jr. from the practice squad for the team's Week 7 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Packers RB1 Josh Jacobs (calf) practiced in full on Friday, but is officially listed as questionable to play in Week 7 due to a calf injury. If Jacobs were to be sidelined, Green Bay would likely split backfield work between Emanuel Wilson, Chris Brooks, and Strong Jr. Wilson has rushed for 671 yards and four touchdowns on 135 carries across 29 career games for the Packers and has served as the team's primary RB2 so far this season. While Jacobs should still be expected to play, fantasy managers might be wise to scoop up Wilson in leagues where that's still possible, just in case Jacobs is a late scratch.