Who Should I Start? Tyjae Spears or Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Tuesday, September 16, 9:39 PM

Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears (ankle) suffered a high ankle sprain in preseason action and was placed on Injured Reserve before the start of the regular season. Given the nature of Spears' injury, he may be able to return as soon as he is eligible in Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals. The Titans have been a one-man show at running back so far this season, with Tony Pollard having logged 38 of the team's 40 rush attempts by running backs through the team's first two games. However, this was not the case down the stretch of 2024, when Spears logged double-digit touches in each of the final three games he played. Spears finished the 2024 season with 536 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns across 12 games and should have a consistent role in the Titans' offense once healthy in 2025. In fantasy leagues where he is available, Spears is a worthy stash in an IR spot ahead of his impending return.

Tuesday, September 16, 5:35 PM

The Athletic's Dan Duggan writes that New York Giants rookie running back Cam Skattebo "might have already surpassed Tyrone Tracy Jr." as the team's top RB. Skattebo played seven more snaps and took six more carries than Tracy in the Week 2 overtime loss to the Dallas Cowboys. The rookie from Arizona State broke a 24-yard run in the fourth quarter and then had a one-yard touchdown plunge, his first career TD. Skattebo finished with 11 carries for 45 yards and the TD, while also catching two passes for 14 yards. Meanwhile, Tracy had only five carries for 15 yards and added four catches for 36 yards. The Giants putting Tracy back in a kickoff-return role also "suggests a reduced offensive role." Tracy returned three kickoffs as a rookie in 2024, but that role ceased when he became the starting RB in Week 5. Skattebo will be a popular waiver-wire target going into Week 3, while it's looking like Tracy might be the 1B option in a backfield committee.