Who Should I Start? Jalen Nailor or J.J. McCarthy

Tuesday, October 28, 5:04 PM

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor recorded only one target with no catches in their 37-10 Thursday night loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Nailor had maintained a small role in the offense after Jordan Addison returned from his suspension in Week 4, recording six catches for 66 yards on 12 targets since then, but was held catchless for the first time this season against the Chargers. It would likely take an injury for Nailor's targets to spike back up, as the targets are heavily concentrated around Addison, Justin Jefferson, and T.J. Hockenson. He's best left on the waiver wire in 12-team leagues.

Wednesday, October 29, 4:56 PM

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (ankle) will have a full week to prepare before returning as the starter for Week 9 against the Detroit Lions, according to Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune. McCarthy is expected to step back in as Minnesota's starting quarterback for the first time since Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons, when he suffered a high-ankle sprain that caused him to miss five games. The 2024 first-round pick struggled to adjust to the speed of the NFL in his first two games, completing 24 of 41 pass attempts for 301 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions to go with nine sacks taken. The 22-year-old will have plenty of growing pains after missing all of his rookie year with a knee injury, but head coach Kevin O'Connell has expressed confidence in him as their starter going forward. It's a tough spot to make his return, with a hostile road environment awaiting in Detroit for Week 9.