Who Should I Start? Baker Mayfield or C.J. Stroud

Wednesday, November 26, 5:39 PM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (shoulder) was held out of the team's first practice of the week on Wednesday with a low-grade AC joint sprain in his left (non-throwing) shoulder, according to the Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud. Mayfield was seen wearing a sling on his left arm in the second half of Sunday night's loss to the Los Angeles Rams, but he has a chance to play in Week 13 against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday if he can get back onto the practice field later this week. In the event that the 30-year-old veteran isn't ready to play, the Buccaneers are preparing veteran backup Teddy Bridgewater to start in practice this week. Mayfield's ability to play this weekend could be tied to pain management. He's one of the toughest QBs in the league, so if it comes down to that, he'll probably be out there, but he'd be more of a high-end QB2 for fantasy football at likely less than 100%.

Wednesday, November 26, 2:39 PM

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (concussion) is practicing on Wednesday and continues to take steps toward being cleared from concussion protocol this week, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. Stroud has missed three consecutive games since taking a shot to the head during Houston's Week 9 loss to the Denver Broncos. The third-year quarterback remained in concussion protocol to begin the week, but the Texans are hopeful that he will return in Week 13 for a big divisional matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. Stroud was playing well before going down, throwing for 318 yards in Week 8 against the 49ers, his first 300-yard game since Week 5 of last season. He would be back in play as a potential streamer in Week 13 if he is able to play.