Who Should I Start? Sione Vaki or Jonathon Brooks

Monday, September 22, 11:11 PM

The Detroit Lions downgraded special teamer Sione Vaki (groin) to out during Monday Night Football against the Baltimore Ravens. Listed as a running back, Vaki is a key part of the Lions' special teams, but doesn't have much of a role on offense. His injury will be worth monitoring in the coming weeks for Detroit fans, but he's not on the radar for fantasy.

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.