Who Should I Start? C.J. Stroud or Bryce Young

Tuesday, October 21, 11:20 AM

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud had one of the least efficient games of his career in his team's 27-19 Week 7 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Stroud completed just 23 of 49 pass attempts for 229 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Across six games this season, the 24-year-old has completed 64.8% of his pass attempts for 1,305 yards, nine touchdowns, and four interceptions. Houston struggled mightily to run the ball in Week 7, as Stroud was the team's leading rusher with just 25 yards. The Texans' overall offensive inefficiency makes Stroud tough for fantasy managers in single-QB formats to trust. Stroud will likely profile as a mid-tier fantasy QB2 in Week 8 against the San Francisco 49ers.

Wednesday, October 22, 3:56 PM

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (ankle) was held out of the first practice of the week on Wednesday due to the high-ankle sprain he suffered in the Week 7 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, according to Darin Gantt of Panthers.com. Head coach Dave Canales said that Young is considered "day-to-day" for this Sunday's contest against the Buffalo Bills. High-ankle sprains typically sideline players for at least several weeks, so fantasy managers should be planning on being without the 24-year-old this weekend. The good news is that the young signal-caller wasn't seen wearing a walking boot on Wednesday. The team isn't ruling Young out yet for Week 8, but the expectation is that veteran QB Andy Dalton will make his first start of 2025 this Sunday against the visiting Bills. At best, Dalton will be in play as a low-end QB2 streamer in leagues that start two QBs if Young is officially ruled out.