Who Should I Start? Joe Burrow or Brock Purdy

Thursday, October 16, 9:05 PM

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (toe), who suffered a serious turf-toe injury back in Week 2, is on track to return from Injured Reserve in mid-December, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Burrow is a month into a three-month recovery after having surgery for a Grade 3 turf-toe injury. Burrow has been doing well in his rehab and has not had any setbacks, which means he's still in play to return at the tail end of the regular season if the Bengals still have something to play for. He has told people he has every intention of playing again this year, but he just needs Cincinnati to stay in the hunt in the meantime. The 28-year-old isn't guaranteed to be in play for the fantasy playoffs, so managers shouldn't feel obligated to hold onto him in redraft leagues. Jake Browning struggled with turnovers (eight picks in four games) after replacing Burrow, leading Cincy to trade for veteran Joe Flacco to try and keep the team's playoff hopes alive.

Monday, October 20, 7:35 PM

The San Francisco 49ers will continue to monitor quarterback Brock Purdy (toe) this week, and there is no certainty that he will return for the Week 8 contest on Sunday against the Houston Texans, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. Purdy has been sidelined since aggravating his turf-toe injury in Week 4, and he has only played in two games through the first seven weeks due to the injury. According to head coach Kyle Shanahan, it could be a stretch for the 25-year-old to return this weekend, but it will all depend on how much he can do in practice leading up to Sunday's contest. Purdy was limited in three practices last week, and he will probably need to put in a full practice this week to have a realistic shot at returning. Fantasy managers should consider him on the wrong side of questionable as of right now. Mac Jones would make his third straight start in a tough matchup against Houston if Purdy misses a fifth game.