Who Should I Start? Calvin Ridley or Rico Dowdle

Wednesday, October 23, 5:30 PM

Despite the fact that Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley (foot) did not practice on Wednesday, Paul Kuharsky reports that the expectation is that Ridley will return to practice on Thursday and be good to go for Sunday's Week 8 contest against the Detroit Lions. The 29-year-old pass catcher was only able to haul in three of his team-leading nine targets for 42 yards in last week's blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills with quarterback Mason Rudolph making the start. He just hasn't been able to make much of an impact in a Titans offense that has struggled to move the ball consistently under second-year QB Will Levis (shoulder). Rudolph doesn't give Ridley much more upside heading into his second straight start against Detroit, although Hopkins leaving town in a trade doesn't hurt. Through six games in 2024, Ridley ranks 73rd among wideouts with 6.5 half-PPR points per game.

Tuesday, October 15, 1:17 AM

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy expressed the need for running back Rico Dowdle to get more opportunities, stating, "He definitely needs to touch the ball more, without a doubt." Dowdle had only five carries for 25 yards rushing in Dallas's loss to the Lions. With the team falling behind early, he was more active in the passing game, catching five passes for 30 yards. In contrast, Ezekiel Elliott managed just 17 yards on six carries against Detriot, marking his fourth straight game with six or fewer rushes and failing to reach 20 yards each time. It will be interesting to see if McCarthy follows through on his promise to increase Dowdle's touches, as he appears to be the more explosive option. The Cowboys are on bye this week and will return in Week 8 to face San Francisco on Sunday Night Football.