Who Should I Start? James Conner or Demond Claiborne


Week 4 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 Progressing Without Return Timeline

Friday, October 2, 12:05 PM

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (foot) is progressing, but the team still isn't putting a date on his return. Head coach Mike LaFleur said Conner is doing well and reiterated that Arizona wants him back when he can perform at his normal level, not simply when he's able to get through a practice. Conner opened the season on injured reserve while continuing his recovery from the right foot injury that ended his 2025 season in Week 3. He can become eligible to practice next week after serving the required four-game absence, though the Cardinals have not said they will immediately open his 21-day window. That matters with Jeremiyah Love emerging as Arizona's lead back and Tyler Allgeier still involved. Conner is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons in 2023 and 2024, but fantasy managers should treat him as a deeper-league IR stash until there is a clearer return date and role.


Week 4 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
2.2 11.0 0.1 0.3 2.2 0.0

Demond Claiborne News

Demond Claiborne a Short-Term Handcuff Option in Deep Leagues

Tuesday, September 29, 2:55 PM

Minnesota Vikings rookie running back Demond Claiborne was thrust into a bigger role when the team put Jordan Mason (thumb) on Injured Reserve last week. However, the Vikings have been hesitant to put too much on the sixth-rounder out of Wake Forest's plate early in his first season in the NFL, and that showed in the Vikings' Week 3 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 22-year-old only played three offensive snaps and had three rushing attempts for just one yard, while both Max Bredson and DeeJay Dallas out-snapped him behind starter Aaron Jones Sr. Claiborne's role could grow over the next couple of weeks, though, and Mason will miss at least three more games while on IR. In Claiborne's NFL debut in the Week 2 victory over the division-rival Chicago Bears, he had just one reception for a gain of two yards. At best, Claiborne is a short-term handcuff option for fantasy managers who have Jones rostered, but once Mason returns from his thumb injury, Claiborne will be buried on Minnesota's RB depth chart again. He is currently rostered in only 2% of Yahoo leagues.


James Conner vs. Demond Claiborne

Still trying to decide between Conner and Claiborne? 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 Demond Claiborne is projected to score 2.2 points.