Who Should I Start? Trey Benson or Jaleel McLaughlin

Monday, December 8, 6:29 PM

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said that activating running back Trey Benson (knee) off Injured Reserve and giving him another week on the shelf "is an option" if he can't check all the appropriate health boxes by Wednesday, according to Tyler Drake of Arizona Sports. Benson has not played since suffering a knee injury in Week 4 that required surgery. It's possible that the 23-year-old second-year RB from Florida State needs another week, and it's also possible that he's held out for the remainder of the season with the Cardinals out of the playoff hunt. Benson was cleared to return to practice two weeks ago. He initially was limited in practice before sitting out all of last week, suggesting he may have suffered a setback. Emari Demercado (ankle) has also missed the last few games, leaving Bam Knight and Michael Carter to share backfield duties. Knight could be in line for lead-back work again in Week 15 versus the Houston Texans.

Tuesday, December 9, 10:03 PM

Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin was inactive for nine out of his team's first 10 games of the 2025 season. However, the 25-year-old has been pressed into a more prominent role in recent weeks after Denver lost veteran running back J.K. Dobbins to a season-ending foot injury in Week 10. Across the team's last three games, McLaughlin has recorded 75 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 19 touches. Broncos rookie back RJ Harvey has taken over the RB1 in Denver, which limits McLaughlin's upside. However, McLaughlin could now be one injury away from stepping into a lead role in the Broncos' backfield. In leagues with 12 or more teams, fantasy managers should consider stashing McLaughlin in a bench spot for his handcuff upside. Over the next three weeks, Denver will take on the Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Kansas City Chiefs.