Who Should I Start? Geno Smith or Marcus Mariota

Monday, December 8, 6:48 PM

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll said that he didn't have an update on Monday on quarterback Geno Smith's right-shoulder injury that he suffered in the second half of Sunday's loss to the Denver Broncos, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. "I won't know for a couple of days," Carroll said. Smith injured his fingers and shoulder in Week 14, but it was his right-shoulder injury that knocked him out of the game in the second half, and he never returned. The 35-year-old apparently avoided serious damage to his throwing shoulder, but the lack of an update suggests Smith's availability for Week 15 against the Philadelphia Eagles is up in the air. At this point, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the struggling Raiders give backup Kenny Pickett his first start of the year against his former team. Smith has been a bust in his first year in Vegas, completing 67% of his passes for 2,648 yards and 16 touchdowns. He leads the league in interceptions (16) and sacks taken (49).

Tuesday, December 9, 10:45 AM

Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota has started six games in place of Jayden Daniels this season and has mostly played very well. Mariota entered Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings after Daniels aggravated his previously dislocated left elbow after an interception in the third quarter. The veteran also couldn't get anything going for Washington's offense, as he threw an interception on his second pass of the game and later lost a fumble on a rushing attempt. There are plenty of questions around Daniels' availability for Week 15's divisional matchup against the New York Giants. Head coach Dan Quinn said on Monday that Daniels is "sore," but there aren't any long-term concerns, and his status will be monitored throughout the week. For what it's worth, Daniels was listed on the schedule for his weekly media availability on Wednesday, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. Mariota would immediately re-enter the conversation as a high-end QB2 in fantasy football if Daniels is ultimately unable to go this weekend.