Who Should I Start? Rico Dowdle or Tyjae Spears

Friday, November 22, 1:10 PM

Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle is one of the lone healthy players on the offense heading into Week 13. Despite Dallas' struggles running the ball behind a young offensive line, Dowdle grades as a flex option this week against a Washington defense that surrenders the sixth-most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs. Dowdle could see even more touches than usual if star receiver CeeDee Lamb (back, foot) misses Sunday's tilt, making him a high-end flex option. His ceiling is limited due to Dallas' offensive struggles, but Dowdle should be started in most formats with loads of byes across the league.

Friday, November 22, 1:43 PM

Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan said that running back Tyjae Spears (concussion) will not play in Week 12 against the division-rival Houston Texans on Sunday after missing practice all week. Spears suffered a concussion in the Week 11 loss to the Minnesota Vikings and was unable to clear the league's concussion protocol in time to play this weekend. His absence means that lead runner Tony Pollard will have some more fantasy upside in a bad matchup against Houston. Meanwhile, Julius Chestnut will have a more substantial role as the change-of-pace option behind Pollard in Tennessee's backfield. It remains to be seen if Spears will be able to clear the concussion protocol next week in time to play the Washington Commanders in Week 13. The 23-year-old has mostly taken a back seat to Pollard in 2024, seeing 43 carries for 161 yards and a TD while catching 17 passes for 88 yards.