Who Should I Start? Rachaad White or Josh Downs

Sunday, October 12, 11:21 PM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White has really stepped up in the team's lead-back role the last two weeks with Bucky Irving (foot, shoulder) nursing multiple injuries. In the 30-19 win over the visiting San Francisco 49ers on Sunday in Week 6, White stayed productive with a team-leading 17 rushing attempts for 65 yards and a touchdown while adding three catches on three targets for 21 additional yards. The 26-year-old hasn't been all that productive with his touches the last two weeks since seeing an expanded role in the backfield, but he has delivered for fantasy managers with a nose for the end zone, scoring three total times in the last two games with Irving out. It's unclear if Irving will return in Week 7 against the Detroit Lions on Monday Night Football, but if he misses a third straight game, White will maintain his plug-and-play RB2 status in fantasy.

Wednesday, October 15, 5:27 PM

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (concussion) is in the league's concussion protocol this week, according to Stephen Holder of ESPN. Fellow wideout Ashton Dulin (chest) also missed practice on Wednesday with a chest injury. Downs had a strong game in the Week 6 win over the Arizona Cardinals, catching six of his seven targets for 42 yards and a touchdown, but he could be forced to miss a Week 7 contest on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers unless he's cleared from the concussion protocol later this week. If Downs is unavailable this weekend, Adonai Mitchell could be active once again as WR depth after being a healthy scratch last Sunday. Alec Pierce would be elevated to the WR2 role behind Michael Pittman Jr. and would be in play as a WR4/flex in fantasy lineups. In the last two games, Downs has come on strong, catching 12 total passes (15 targets) for 96 yards and a score.