Who Should I Start? Will Shipley or Brashard Smith

Tuesday, July 29, 9:17 AM

Philadelphia Eagles running back Will Shipley is locked in a training-camp battle to emerge as the team's RB2 behind star Saquon Barkley. Shipley, who the team has been high on, rushed 30 times for 82 yards and caught all four of his targets for 35 yards last season as a rookie. Whoever wins the RB2 role in Philly is unlikely to see much work behind Barkley, who handled 345 carries last year. That being said, the Eagles' RB2 would set up as one of the top fantasy handcuffs available if Barkley were to miss time in 2025. If he ultimately wins the job, Shipley is worth a look as a late-round dart throw as a handcuff and a must-draft for the manager who uses an early pick on Barkley.

Thursday, August 7, 8:16 PM

Kansas City Chiefs rookie running back Brashard Smith (finger) suffered a finger injury in training camp practice on Thursday and left early, according to Chiefs beat writer Matt McMullen. It is unknown if Smith's injury is serious, but it could keep him from taking part in the preseason opener on Saturday against the Arizona Cardinals. If the 22-year-old is healthy going into his first NFL season, he figures to be the RB4, at best, for the Chiefs, behind Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt and Elijah Mitchell. The SMU product is a converted receiver that can be ignored in all redraft fantasy formats this fall. In his first year in the NFL, the speedy pass-catching back will most likely make his biggest impact on special teams, potentially as a kick returner.