Who Should I Start? James Conner or DK Metcalf


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 to Begin the Season on Injured Reserve

Sunday, August 30, 3:52 PM

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (foot) has been placed on injured reserve, according to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7. Conner has been designated to return later in the season, which means he can rejoin the 53-man roster as early as Week 5. Conner was the overall RB11 with nine touchdowns in 2024, and he had 133 scrimmage yards through three games last year before suffering a season-ending ankle injury. Presumably, when Conner returns from IR, he'll find himself in a significantly smaller role than last year now that the team has added Jeremiyah Love and Tyler Allgeier to the backfield. Conner's NFL experience is useful, but it's probably not enough to get him onto the fantasy radar once he returns. He can be avoided in all redraft leagues, and he should be dropped to waivers in shallower dynasty formats.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
11.3 0.6 0.0 3.6 53.2 0.4

DK Metcalf News

Steelers Looking to Get the Football to DK Metcalf

Wednesday, September 2, 10:39 AM

Pittsburgh Steelers veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers is ready to get the football to wide receiver DK Metcalf as much as possible in 2026, according to Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "We gotta get the ball to DK. He's our No. 1 for a reason," Rodgers said on Wednesday. The 28-year-old veteran receiver has missed the last several weeks of training camp with an undisclosed injury, but Metcalf is expected to be fine for Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons, and he could be targeted heavily right out of the gates. In his first year in the Steel City in 2025, Metcalf caught 59 of his 99 targets for 850 yards and six touchdowns in 15 regular-season starts. He is looking to bounce back in 2026, but the addition of veteran wideout Michael Pittman Jr. could pose a roadblock. The two-time All-Star should remain the focal point of the Steelers' passing game, but with the aging Rodgers running the show for one more year in an offense that could lean on the ground game, fantasy managers may want to temper expectations for Metcalf as more of a WR3/flex.


James Conner vs. DK Metcalf

Still trying to decide between Conner and Metcalf? 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 DK Metcalf is projected to score 11.3 points.