Who Should I Start? Jerick McKinnon or Aaron Rodgers

Wednesday, January 10, 12:32 PM

Kansas City Chiefs running back Jerick McKinnon (hernia, pelvis) was on crutches on Tuesday in his first day back at the team's facility following sports-hernia surgery on Jan. 2, which was performed by Dr. Williams Meyers. In addition to a sports hernia, McKinnon fractured his pelvis. It all means that McKinnon is doubtful to return for the postseason, even if the Chiefs make another run to the Super Bowl this year. The 31-year-old is eligible for free agency in March but has expressed interest in returning to Kansas City. McKinnon missed the final three games of the regular season and finished 2023 with just 21 carries for 60 yards and one touchdown while adding 25 receptions for 192 yards and four touchdowns through the air in 12 games played. Clyde Edwards-Helaire will have a bigger role as the No. 2 in KC's backfield behind Isiah Pacheco now that McKinnon is out.

Monday, April 15, 2:26 PM

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (Achilles), who is coming off a torn left Achilles suffered in the season opener in 2023, was present for Day 1 of the team's voluntary offseason workouts on Monday. Despite being 40 years old and coming off a pretty serious injury that knocked him out for all of last year, the future Hall of Famer is hoping to play multiple more seasons. Rodgers was able to return to practices late last season, so barring some sort of setback this offseason or in training camp this summer, Rodgers will be ready to go for Week 1 of the 2024 regular season. He has plenty of weapons around him in New York's offense, but it's fair to wonder how an aging signal-caller will do coming off a lost season. At best, fantasy managers should treat him as a low-end QB1 injury risk in drafts this fall.