Who Should I Start? James Conner or Zach Charbonnet


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

Too Early to Tell if James Conner Will be Ready for Week 1

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
5.7 24.6 0.2 0.9 6.7 0.0

Zach Charbonnet News

Unclear if Zach Charbonnet Will Come Off PUP Before Week 1

Thursday, August 27, 11:17 AM

Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald did not say whether running back Zach Charbonnet (knee) could come off the Physically Unable to Perform list before the start of the 2026 regular season in early September, according to Corbin K. Smith of Emerald Spectrum. The Seahawks have not offered many injury updates at all on Charbonnet this summer after the former second-rounder in 2023 from UCLA tore his ACL in last year's postseason. The 25-year-old was never really expected to be ready for Week 1 of 2026, and Seattle's lack of updates pretty much confirms that will not be happening. Although we don't have a clear timetable for when Charbonnet might make his season debut, the Seahawks expect him to contribute at some point, which makes him a late-round stash target at the running back position after he had 184 carries, 730 rushing yards, and 12 rushing touchdowns in 16 regular-season games last year. Charb has had 20 total rushing touchdowns over the last two years and will eventually be back in a key backfield role for the defending Super Bowl champions. Until then, George Holani and rookie first-rounder Jadarian Price figure to split backfield touches in Seattle, with Emanuel Wilson also pitching in.


James Conner vs. Zach Charbonnet

Still trying to decide between Conner and Charbonnet? 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 Zach Charbonnet is projected to score 5.7 points.