Who Should I Start? James Conner or Christian Kirk


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
3.4 10.9 0.1 0.9 6.5 0.0

James Conner News

James Conner Progressing, But No Timeline for Team Work

Saturday, August 15, 8:09 AM

Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur said on Saturday that running back James Conner (foot) is progressing, but there's no timeline for him to participate in 11-on-11 work in training camp, according to Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com. LaFleur added that it's not about a return to play, but a return to performance. Conner's injury recovery from a season-ending foot/ankle injury that he suffered in Week 3 of last year has taken on a little more importance after it was just announced that rookie first-round RB Jeremiyah Love will miss at least one week with a sore ankle that he suffered in the preseason opener against the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday night. With both Conner and Love sidelined in camp, it will give more opportunities to Tyler Allgeier and Trey Benson in Arizona's backfield. Conner is unlikely to play in any preseason games this year, but he could be ready for the team's Week 1 regular-season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers. If both Love and Allgeier are healthy for that contest, Conner figures to be the Cardinals' RB3, leaving him a very small path to fantasy relevance.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
4.8 0.4 0.0 1.8 21.5 0.1

Christian Kirk News

Christian Kirk Rested During Preseason Opener

Friday, August 14, 9:46 AM

San Francisco 49ers veteran wide receiver Christian Kirk (calf) did not play in the team's preseason opener on Thursday night against the Tennessee Titans, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. Veteran Mike Evans (quadriceps) was also held out as a precaution. Both Kirk and Evans have missed practice recently in training camp with what are considered minor injuries, but they may both be cleared to play in the second preseason tilt next Thursday, Aug. 20, against the Los Angeles Chargers on the road. The 29-year-old was brought in this offseason to bolster San Fran's receiving corps out of the slot. Ricky Pearsall (knee) has already been knocked out for the entire 2026 campaign, but the team's recent addition of Deebo Samuel Sr. has been bad news for Kirk's potential upside in his first year in the Bay Area. Kirk had only 28 catches on 52 targets for 239 yards and one touchdown in 13 regular-season games for the Houston Texans a year ago, and he continues to be hampered by injuries. Fantasy managers in 12-team leagues will be ignoring Kirk on draft day.


James Conner vs. Christian Kirk

Still trying to decide between Conner and Kirk? 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 3.4 points this week while Christian Kirk is projected to score 4.8 points.