Who Should I Start? Tyjae Spears or Jaleel McLaughlin

Monday, October 21, 7:35 PM

Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan said on Monday that running back Tyjae Spears (hamstring) could return in Week 8 to face the Detroit Lions after missing the Week 7 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Spears' status for this Sunday's game will depend on how much he can do in practice this week. We'll have a better idea of the 23-year-old's status by Friday. If he's able to return this weekend, he'll resume his role as the No. 2 behind Tony Pollard in Tennessee's backfield. There was some uncertainty as to how the Titans would split touches in their backfield between Pollard and Spears to begin the season, and through the first six weeks of the season with Spears healthy, he took a clear back seat to Pollard. Spears has 33 total carries for 114 yards (3.5 yards per tote) and one touchdown while adding 12 catches for 76 yards. Spears will be a low-upside RB3/flex, at best, in PPR leagues in Week 8 if he's active.

Friday, October 18, 12:21 AM

In the Denver Broncos blowout victory over the New Orleans Saints on Thursday night in Week 7, rookie running back Audric Estime out-carried Jaleel McLaughlin five to four, although McLaughlin out-gained the rookie 35 to 29 on the ground in the 33-10 victory. Estime also lost a fumble. Lead back Javonte Williams was the real winner on the night for Denver's offense with 14 carries for a season-high 88 yards and his first two touchdowns of the year. Estime's five carries were a season-high after seeing two totes apiece in his first two NFL games in Weeks 1 and 6. Although Estime could be in head coach Sean Payton's doghouse after losing a fumble against New Orleans, the rookie's presence in Denver's backfield moving forward is yet another reason why McLaughlin cannot be trusted in starting fantasy lineups. Neither RB was targeted in the passing game on Thursday.