Who Should I Start? James Conner or Bucky Irving


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

James Conner News

James Conner Doing Side Work with Trainers During OTAs

Thursday, June 4, 12:27 PM

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (foot/ankle) has been working off to the side with team trainers during OTAs, per Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic. Conner is working his way back from the gruesome foot/ankle injury that ended his 2025 season in Week 3. The 31-year-old was a highly productive player in his last fully healthy season with Arizona in 2024, recording 1,508 scrimmage yards and nine touchdowns on 283 touches across 16 games. However, Conner's role with the Cardinals entering 2026 is in question after the team signed running back Tyler Allgeier in free agency and used the number three overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on running back Jeremiyah Love. Even if he's able to return in time for the start of the upcoming season, Conner may be limited to RB3 duties in Arizona and would likely need either an injury above him on the depth chart or a change in scenery to provide fantasy-relevant production.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Bucky Irving News

Bucky Irving Back at Practice on Thursday

Thursday, June 11, 9:38 AM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (shoulder) was seen working out at organized team activities on Thursday. Irving is being worked back in slowly this offseason after having shoulder surgery, but he looked good on Thursday while catching passes at OTAs while doing other work as well. Although he might not be a full-go for the start of training camp at the end of next month, all signs point to the 23-year-old back being ready at some point this summer and for the start of the 2026 regular season in early September. The former fourth-rounder in 2024 out of the University of Oregon impressed with a 1,000-yard season and eight touchdowns on 207 carries while adding 47 receptions for 392 yards as a pass-catcher in 17 games as a rookie, but he played in only 10 games in 2025 due to injury and finished with 588 rushing yards and one touchdown for the Bucs. Irving's fantasy stock has fallen a bit going into his third year in the league because of durability concerns as he learns a new offense. Newcomer Kenneth Gainwell is also likely to steal valuable pass-catching reps from him. He still has clear RB2 upside if he can stay healthy, but Irving has fallen to No. 26 in RotoBaller's RB rankings for the 2026 season.


James Conner vs. Bucky Irving

Still trying to decide between Conner and Irving? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that James Conner is projected to score 0.0 points this week while Bucky Irving is projected to score 0.0 points.