Who Should I Start? Calvin Ridley or Ladd McConkey

Tuesday, November 18, 6:35 PM

The Tennessee Titans officially placed wide receiver Calvin Ridley (leg) on season-ending Injured Reserve on Tuesday and signed receiver James Proche II to the active 53-man roster in a corresponding move, according to Jim Wyatt of the team's website. Ridley broke his fibula in Sunday's loss to the Houston Texans and will miss the rest of 2025. In addition to Ridley's injury, rookie wideouts Chimere Dike (chest) and Elic Ayomanor (hamstring) were injured in Week 11 and did not return. It means the Titans' WR corps could be dangerously thin for their Week 12 tilt against the visiting Seattle Seahawks. If Dike and Ayomanor are both unable to play this weekend, it would mean much larger roles for veteran Van Jefferson and Mason Kinsey in the passing game, with tight ends Chig Okonkwo and Gunnar Helm also seeing target boosts.

Monday, December 22, 6:09 PM

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey bounced back in Week 16 after two quiet outings, leading the team with six targets and finishing with four catches for 43 yards and a touchdown in the 34-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys. It was a much-needed get-right performance, as McConkey reasserted himself as Herbert's primary chain-mover and red-zone option, bringing his season total to six touchdowns. However, Week 17 presents a dramatically tougher matchup against the Houston Texans, who boast one of the league's most suffocating pass defenses. Houston ranks near the top in EPA per pass, completion percentage allowed, interception rate, pressure rate, and total yards allowed. With the Texans generating consistent pressure and limiting downfield opportunities, McConkey may be limited to short-area targets and modest volume, making him a volatile WR3 rather than a dependable fantasy starter.