Who Should I Start? Patrick Taylor Jr. or Trey Sermon

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, September 27, 11:25 AM

The Pittsburgh Steelers are elevating running back Trey Sermon for Week 4's matchup against the Vikings in Dublin. Sermon was also active in Week 3, when the Steelers carried four running backs against New England, but he was limited to return duties after rookie Kaleb Johnson's Week 2 miscue. With Jaylen Warren (knee) questionable, the Steelers may want additional depth in the backfield, though reports suggest Warren is trending toward playing. That leaves Sermon without a meaningful role on offense. For fantasy purposes, Sermon carries no value in Week 4, though he could contribute in the return game along with backup running back Kenneth Gainwell.