Who Should I Start? Sincere McCormick or Jonathon Brooks

Monday, December 8, 3:35 PM

The Denver Broncos are signing free-agent running back Sincere McCormick to their practice squad on Monday, according to Zac Stevens of DNVR Sports. McCormick will give the first-place Broncos some additional depth behind rookie RJ Harvey, Jaleel McLaughlin, and Tyler Badie with J.K. Dobbins (foot) out for the rest of the regular season. The 25-year-old has not played at all in 2025 but had 183 rushing yards on 39 carries (4.7 yards per tote) in five games (two starts) for the Las Vegas Raiders last year. McCormick was with the Arizona Cardinals' practice squad earlier this year but was cut last week to land back on the open market. McCormick will be a long shot for any fantasy value to close out the 2025 campaign.

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.