Who Should I Start? Travis Homer or D'Ernest Johnson

Friday, September 20, 7:31 PM

Chicago Bears running back Travis Homer (finger) underwent surgery on his finger and will be placed on Injured Reserve, meaning he will be out for at least the next four games. The Bears have their bye in Week 7 as well, so the earliest Homer will be able to return will be for a Week 8 tilt versus the Washington Commanders. The 26-year-old isn't at all on the fantasy radar after seeing just three carries for 16 yards in the first two weeks of the season. With Homer now out for the foreseeable future, it means that Roschon Johnson should see more involvement on passing downs alongside D'Andre Swift in a Bears offense that has been stuck in the mud early on behind rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. In his first year in Chicago in 2023, Homer was used exclusively on special teams and didn't see a single touch on offense. He was targeted once in the passing game in 16 games.

Saturday, November 16, 12:00 PM

Jacksonville Jaguars running back D'Ernest Johnson could get some opportunities to produce this week against the Detroit Lions. With Tank Bigsby out with an ankle injury, Johnson should serve as the clear backup to Travis Etienne Jr. While the Jaguars have used multiple backs for most of the season, that is mostly due to Etienne Jr.'s previous season performances and Bigsby's emergence this season. In the weeks when Etienne Jr. missed due to injury, Johnson didn't produce much. He did do decent against the Patriots in Week 6, producing 70 total yards on 12 touches. However, the Patriots have been one of the worst run defenses this season, while the Lions have been one of the better run defenses this season. Unless Johnson gets involved in the passing game, he is nothing more than a desperate fantasy option in Week 11 against the Lions.