Who Should I Start? Salvon Ahmed or Jonathon Brooks

Friday, August 8, 7:12 PM

Indianapolis Colts running back Salvon Ahmed (ankle) was taken down by a defender with an illegal hip-drop tackle in training camp practice on Sunday and suffered a season-ending ankle injury, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Colts placed Ahmed on season-ending Injured Reserve on Friday and have signed former Dolphins RB Nate Noel in a corresponding move. Jonathan Taylor is the unquestioned RB1 in Indy, with Tyler Goodson and rookie DJ Giddens battling for backup duties in 2025. With Ahmed now done for the entire 2025 campaign, it will mean added opportunities for Khalil Herbert, Ulysses Bentley and Noel as they look to make the 53-man roster out of training camp. The 26-year-old Ahmed spent his first four seasons in Miami and had a combined 593 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns on 163 carries over 38 games (four starts).

Monday, December 8, 12:54 PM

Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) is exactly a year removed from tearing his right ACL for a second time, but he said that he feels "pretty much almost 100 percent again," according to Joe Person of The Athletic. Brooks is doing straight-line running and hopes to start mixing in full-speed cutting and route running soon. Barring a setback, he could return to the practice field in the spring for organized team activities (OTAs). The 22-year-old was the team's second-round pick back in 2024 out of Texas. Since his injury, the Panthers signed Rico Dowdle in free agency and took Trevor Etienne in the fourth round of this year's draft. Dowdle has been one of the best backs in the NFL this year and has formed a dangerous 1-2 punch in Carolina's backfield with Chuba Hubbard. Any expectations fantasy managers holding Brooks might have in dynasty/keeper leagues must be tempered by concerns of injury risk.