Who Should I Start? Ty Chandler or Jaleel McLaughlin

Friday, January 10, 9:51 PM

Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler (illness) was listed as a non-participant for Friday's team practice. With the Vikings slated to square off with the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night, their first practice this week was on Thursday. The 26-year-old was a full participant to kick off the week but was tagged as a DNP the following day. Fortunately, he'll have a few more days to rest up before their road tilt at SoFi stadium. However, even if he plays, Chandler figures to serve as more of a reserve player behind backfield mates Aaron Jones (quad) and Cam Akers. Even if he's active, he won't be a recommended option, as the North Carolina product has participated on double-digit snaps just twice since Akers joined the team via trade in mid-October.

Monday, January 13, 10:50 AM

Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin was a complete non-factor in the team's 31-7 blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday on wild-card weekend. Like most of the season, Denver's backfield was stuck in the mud and couldn't get anything going to control the game, with rookie quarterback Bo Nix leading the team with 43 rushing yards on four carries. McLaughlin, who had been the leader of a committee backfield late in the season, had only two rushing attempts for minus-two yards while catching his only target for no gain. It was a dismal end to the 24-year-old's second season in the NFL. He finished with 113 carries for 496 yards (4.4 yards per carry) and only one rushing touchdown in 16 regular-season games while adding 24 catches for 76 yards and two more TDs through the air. Denver will surely look to upgrade their backfield in the offseason to give more help to Nix in 2025.