Who Should I Start? Cameron Ward or Woody Marks

Monday, January 5, 12:34 PM

Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Cameron Ward (shoulder) suffered an AC joint sprain in his right shoulder in Sunday's loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Week 18 regular-season finale, but he will not require surgery, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. It's the best-case scenario for the young QB heading into the offseason. Ward suffered the injury while diving for a touchdown in the first quarter of Sunday's game, and he never returned. The 23-year-old former first overall pick will be rehabbing for a few months, but barring a setback, he should be recovered well before the start of training camp and the preseason. The Miami product started for the Titans all season in his first year in the NFL and predictably struggled, completing 59.8% of his pass attempts for 3,169 yards, 15 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He added 39 rushing attempts for 159 yards and two TDs. Ward could be up and down again in Year 2 as he continues to develop, especially since he'll be learning a new offense under a new head coach.

Tuesday, January 6, 11:32 AM

Across 16 games in his rookie campaign, Houston Texans running back Woody Marks has recorded 196 carries for 703 yards and two touchdowns while adding 24 catches for 208 yards and three scores on 36 targets. Marks has operated as Houston's lead back for most of the season, but he's been one of the least efficient runners in the league, averaging 3.59 yards per carry, which ranks 48th out of 49 RBs with at least 100 carries. The rookie fourth-rounder hasn't been very dynamic on his high volume of touches, and he will now face a stout Pittsburgh Steelers defense that allowed the fewest rushing yards per game (73.3) over the final four weeks of the season. Marks profiles as a risky RB3/flex for the Wild-Card round matchup on Monday night.