Who Should I Start? Baker Mayfield or Cameron Ward

Thursday, January 1, 2:43 PM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (knee, shoulder) practiced in full for the second straight day on Thursday and has been cleared to play in Saturday's Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Carolina Panthers. Mayfield is nursing knee and shoulder injuries, but he will be active as the Bucs look to win the NFC South this weekend with a win over Carolina and a loss by the Falcons to the Saints. The 30-year-old won't be a very inspiring QB1 option for fantasy managers still playing for something in Week 18, although he is coming off a 346-yard passing effort with two touchdowns in last week's loss to the Miami Dolphins. In the first meeting against the Panthers two weeks ago, Mayfield threw for only 145 yards with a touchdown and an interception. After four straight games without multiple passing TDs, Mayfield has two TD passes in two of his last three games.

Sunday, January 4, 9:30 PM

Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Cameron Ward (shoulder) is believed to have suffered a Grade 3 AC joint sprain in his right shoulder during the team's Week 18 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, per Jeff Howe of The Athletic. Ward exited the game in the first quarter after being landed on by a Jacksonville defender. While Tennessee's 2025 season has come to a close, Ward may now face a lengthy rehab process throughout the offseason. Across 17 games as a rookie, the 23-year-old completed 59.8% of his pass attempts for 3,169 yards, 15 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Ward also rushed for 159 yards and two scores. The Titans will pair Ward with a new head coach in 2026 after firing former head coach Brian Callahan in mid-October. Ward still carries significant upside for the future, but it appears he will have to overcome a substantial shoulder injury as he heads into his second season.