Who Should I Start? James Conner or Kaelon Black
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
Wednesday, August 26, 8:47 AM
Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur told reporters in Green Bay that running back James Conner (foot) is "progressing well," but it's too early to tell if he will be ready for Week 1 of the 2026 regular season against the Los Angeles Chargers, according to Tyler Drake of Arizona Sports. Conner is still working his way back from foot surgery that ended his 2025 campaign after only three games played. When healthy, the 31-year-old former third-rounder by the Pittsburgh Steelers out of Pittsburgh figures to operate as the team's RB3 behind Jeremiyah Love (ankle) and Tyler Allgeier, but that type of role isn't going to make the veteran back relevant in any single-year fantasy leagues. Conner had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2023 and 2024 in the desert, but it all came crashing down last year, when he played in just three games. Until Conner is able to make his way back onto the field, Bam Knight figures to operate as the team's RB3 with Trey Benson (knee) done for the season.
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 | 17.3 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 3.8 | 0.0 |
Kaelon Black News
Friday, August 28, 9:22 AM
San Francisco 49ers running back Kaelon Black appears to have a firm grip on the No. 2 job behind Christian McCaffrey, according to Matt Barrows. Black carried four times for 28 yards in Thursday's preseason finale against Las Vegas, including a 14-yard run, and finished the preseason with 61 yards on 12 carries. The rookie missed part of camp with an adductor injury but returned Aug. 18, five days before Jordan James came back from a rib injury. That extra time seems to have mattered. Barrows pointed to Black's decisiveness, vision and receiving ability as reasons he has separated himself. The 90th overall pick rushed for 1,039 yards and 10 touchdowns at Indiana last season and caught 55 passes across his college career. James did have 55 scrimmage yards on nine touches Thursday, so the competition is not completely dead. Still, Black looks like the favorite to open the season as McCaffrey's primary backup.
James Conner vs. Kaelon Black
Still trying to decide between Conner and Black? 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 Kaelon Black is projected to score 3.5 points.
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