Who Should I Start? J.J. McCarthy or Ricky Pearsall

Friday, November 14, 6:56 PM

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy is a solid Superflex candidate with his team set to face the Chicago Bears in Week 11. The second-year quarterback led a furious comeback in the Week 1 meeting between the two teams in which he accounted for three total touchdowns in the fourth quarter, and the Chicago defense continues to rank among the bottom of the barrel against fantasy quarterbacks. McCarthy is a work in progress as a passer, but encouragingly for managers, he's developed a nice rushing floor in his limited time with the Vikings. He rushed for a touchdown in two of his four starts and ran for 48 yards on only five carries last week against the Ravens. Certainly, some volatility is to be expected from a first-time starter, but McCarthy is already playable in two-quarterback leagues and could have additional week-to-week value with favorable matchups.

Thursday, November 13, 6:56 PM

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Thursday that wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) will return on Sunday to face the division-rival Arizona Cardinals in Week 11, according to KNBR. Pearsall finally returned to practice this week after spraining the PCL in his knee way back in Week 4, and he'll be back on the field this weekend as the Niners look to sweep the season series against Arizona. In addition to Pearsall, quarterback Brock Purdy (toe) will be back. Both players have been sidelined since Week 4. The banged-up 49ers are getting closer to full health on offense. Pearsall, a first-rounder in 2024, caught 20 of his 29 targets for 327 yards and no touchdowns in four games this year before injuring his knee. He will definitely be a starter in three-wide sets now that he's back, but he may be eased back into the offense, making him a shaky fantasy play in his first game back this weekend.