Who Should I Start? Travis Homer or Phil Mafah

Sunday, November 2, 9:17 AM

Chicago Bears running back Travis Homer is expected to operate as the backup to Kyle Monangai after the team ruled out D'Andre Swift (groin) and Roschon Johnson (back). Homer spent the first six weeks of the season on injured reserve, and he has not yet registered an offensive snap in his two games since returning. He has played exclusively on special teams so far, but that should change this week. Not only will he handle some offensive snaps, but he'll likely see at least a handful of touches as the Bears look to take some of the workload off Monangai. It's unlikely we'll see Homer have fantasy relevance this week, but we'll certainly still hear his name called from time to time.

Sunday, August 31, 4:05 PM

Dallas Cowboys rookie running back Phil Mafah (shoulder) has been placed on injured reserve, sidelining him for at least the first four games of the regular season with a shoulder injury suffered in the preseason finale. The seventh-round pick out of Clemson showed flashes in the preseason with 15 carries for 59 yards and a touchdown, good for a solid 3.9 yards per carry. Standing six-foot and weighing 234 pounds, Mafah's big-bodied, between-the-tackles style was impressive in his final college season, rushing for 1,115 yards and eight touchdowns. His placement on IR is a setback, but with the Cowboys' current running back situation, a potential revolving door of Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders, and Jaydon Blue, Mafah remains a potential contributor later in the season. He is worth a roster spot in deeper dynasty leagues. Still, his fantasy value will stay uncertain until he returns to full health and the backfield situation becomes clearer throughout the season.