Who Should I Start? Zack Moss or Jonathon Brooks

Thursday, November 7, 10:34 AM

Cincinnati Bengals running back Zack Moss (neck) will meet with neck specialist Dr. Robert Watkins and is likely to avoid surgery. It's good news for Moss, but he's already been placed on Injured Reserve and will miss the rest of the 2024 season after injuring his next in the Week 9 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. He will be shut down for the next two months. In a best-case scenario, the 26-year-old might be able to return if the Bengals make the postseason and make a deep run. In his first year in Cincy, Moss finishes with 74 carries for 242 yards (career-low-tying 3.3 yards per carry) and two touchdowns while snagging 23 of his 27 targets for 187 more yards and a touchdown. The Bengals quickly replaced Moss by trading for Bears RB Khalil Herbert, who should immediately serve as the No. 2 behind Chase Brown, possibly as early as Thursday night against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens.

Tuesday, February 11, 10:19 PM

Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) will miss most, if not all, of the 2025 season after his second ACL tear in 2024 as a rookie. In addition to Brooks, the Panthers are expected to cut running back Miles Sanders. It's why The Athletic's Joseph Person has the Panthers taking SMU RB Brashard Smith with a fifth-round selection in his 2025 mock draft. Smith could be a nice change-of-pace option behind starter Chuba Hubbard next year in the Panthers' backfield. The 21-year-old Brooks can be avoided in all single-year fantasy drafts this fall after suffering a gruesome injury in his first year in the NFL. Brooks could have a lengthier recovery after already tearing the same ACL in his final collegiate season at the University of Texas. In three games in 2024, Brooks had nine carries for 22 yards and caught all three of his targets for 23 yards.