Who Should I Start? Rico Dowdle or Brashard Smith

Wednesday, November 12, 3:24 PM

Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle (quadriceps) was held out of practice on Wednesday, according to Darin Gantt of Panthers.com. Dowdle continues to manage a quad injury and has been held out of practice on Wednesdays in recent weeks, so fantasy managers shouldn't be too worried about his status for the Week 11 divisional clash against the Atlanta Falcons this weekend unless he also misses practice on Thursday. There was some uncertainty about how the Panthers would handle their backfield when Chuba Hubbard returned from his calf injury, but those questions have been answered, and Dowdle is now Carolina's clear RB1 as long as he's healthy. The 27-year-old has 121 rushing attempts for 705 yards (5.8 yards per tote) and four touchdowns while adding 13 receptions for 122 yards and another score in the last six games. He's a must-start if he plays against Atlanta.

Tuesday, November 11, 12:38 PM

Kansas City Chiefs rookie running back Brashard Smith played 20% of the offensive snaps and carried the ball only three times for seven yards while coming up empty on his only target in the 28-21 Week 9 loss to the Buffalo Bills before the team's bye with Isiah Pacheco (knee) out. It was a frustrating performance for fantasy managers hoping that the 22-year-old rookie might finally see more volume in KC's backfield. In his first NFL season, Smith has seen just 28 carries for 82 yards (2.9 yards per tote), but he's also added 14 receptions on 19 targets for 122 yards through the air in nine games. Nothing is official, but it sounds as though the Chiefs may hold Pacheco out this Sunday against the division-rival Denver Broncos. Veteran Kareem Hunt will remain the team's lead back, but Smith may have a bigger role as the change-of-pace back. He's only rostered in 8% of Yahoo leagues, and he'll be a hard sell as a flex RB this weekend against a strong Denver D, even if Pacheco is inactive.