Who Should I Start? Aaron Jones Sr. or Jayden Higgins

Tuesday, October 21, 3:11 PM

The Minnesota Vikings are designating running back Aaron Jones Sr. (hamstring) to return from Injured Reserve on Tuesday, meaning he could potentially come off IR to play in Week 8 on Thursday Night Football against the Los Angeles Chargers, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. The Vikings will now have 21 days to activate Jones from IR officially, but since he did not practice on Monday, it seems likely that Minnesota will wait another week to bring him back, which would come in Week 9 on Sunday, Nov. 2, against the division-rival Detroit Lions. The 30-year-old was serving as the Vikings' lead back before he injured his hamstring in the loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 14 in Week 2. Since Jones' injury, Jordan Mason has been the team's clear lead back, and he should continue in that role for one more week on Thursday in L.A. This is fantasy managers' cue to check to see if Jones is available on the waiver wire.

Saturday, October 18, 5:56 PM

Houston Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins had the best game of his rookie season just before the team's bye week, and he'll look to pick up where he left off as he returns to the field in Seattle on Monday night. He'll get a boost in Week 7 from Christian Kirk (hamstring) missing another contest, which could allow more targets to come his way. Higgins only had five catches in his first four games combined, but he had four catches on four targets for 32 yards in Week 5 against the Ravens. He played a season-high 56% of snaps in that blowout win, and could pick up Kirk's work this week as well. The No. 34 pick in last year's draft started the season with some fantasy buzz but hasn't been able to emerge as a weekly starting play in Houston's crowded receiver room. He has a very high ceiling but also has a very low floor since he has only one catch in three games this season. Weighing his risk and reward, he is a boom-or-bust longshot play at a flex spot this week, but he does have some intriguing upside as a rookie option down the road if he can build on his Week 5 success.