Who Should I Start? Joe Burrow or J.J. McCarthy

Wednesday, November 12, 3:36 PM

ESPN's Ben Baby reports that Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (toe) is taking part in the portion of practice on Wednesday that is open to the media. It was an unpadded practice for the Bengals, and Burrow threw passes in sweatpants and a helmet. The Bengals opened their 21-day practice window on Monday, and the 28-year-old signal-caller is eyeing a potential return for the Thanksgiving Day game against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens in three weeks. He will officially be listed as limited on Wednesday. Whether the former first overall pick actually plays in three weeks on Turkey Day will depend on how much progress he makes and the team's record at that point. Cincy isn't going to rush the face of the franchise back if their chances of making the postseason are slim. Still, fantasy managers should be looking to pick Burrow up and stash him if he's available on the waiver wire.

Wednesday, November 12, 3:45 PM

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (hand) will have a bandage on his right hand at practice on Wednesday, according to head coach Kevin O'Connell. McCarthy hit his hand on a helmet in Sunday's loss to the Baltimore Ravens, but it is not expected to impact his week of preparation "very much," and he remains set to play on Sunday against the Chicago Bears in Week 11, per Kevin Seifert of ESPN. The 22-year-old threw for a career-high 248 yards and a touchdown in the Week 10 loss, but he also tossed two interceptions and generally struggled after the first quarter. He added five rush attempts for 48 yards on the ground. The former first-rounder has shown glimpses of the upside that the Vikings see in him as their franchise QB, but like any young QB -- remember, this is essentially McCarthy's rookie season after he missed all of 2024 with a knee injury -- there are going to be growing pains. Things won't get any easier this weekend against a ball-hawking Bears defense.