Who Should I Start? Jalen Tolbert or Luther Burden III

Sunday, November 23, 3:43 PM

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert (coach's decision) and running back Jaydon Blue (coach's decision) are healthy scratches for Sunday's Week 12 contest against the Philadelphia Eagles. Both players will be inactive. Tolbert had not previously missed a game this season, but his demotion is not necessarily a surprise, given that his snap share has been below 20% in each of the Cowboys' last three games. He has just 14 catches for 172 yards and one touchdown on offense, plus five kick returns on special teams. Ryan Flournoy and KaVontae Turpin should earn more opportunities in his absence. Meanwhile, Blue has been active for just four games during his rookie campaign, averaging 2.95 yards per carry. Dallas is carrying just two running backs (Javonte Williams and Malik Davis) into Sunday's game, as well as fullback Hunter Luepke.

Monday, December 8, 10:40 AM

With Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (foot) sidelined by a foot injury for his team's Week 14 matchup against the Green Bay Packers, rookie wideout Luther Burden III stepped into a larger role. The 21-year-old earned six targets for the second straight week and hauled in four receptions for 67 yards. After failing to reach five targets in any of his first eight games this season, Burden III has now seen at least five targets in four straight weeks. On a more negative note, Burden III was out-snapped by veteran wideout Olamide Zaccheaus in Week 14. That signals Odunze's absence doesn't mean an automatic promotion for Burden III into Chicago's WR2 role alongside DJ Moore. Still, Burden III has flashed big-play upside throughout the season, and his workload remains on an upward trajectory. He's worth rostering in deeper fantasy formats and could be a solid flex option in Week 15 against the Cleveland Browns if Odunze remains sidelined.