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

Wednesday, November 26, 3:18 PM

The Cincinnati Bengals announced on Wednesday that they officially activated quarterback Joe Burrow (toe) from Injured Reserve, and he will make his return on Thursday against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens on Thanksgiving Day. Burrow has finally recovered from surgery to fix a turf-toe injury that he suffered in Week 2. The 28-year-old franchise QB was very close to returning last weekend, but he was held out of the Week 12 loss to the New England Patriots. Cincy's offense will receive a big boost as they look to keep their faint playoff hopes alive. Burrow has been practicing in full and will take on a Ravens defense that has been much better of late as they have gotten healthier. He will be without receiver Tee Higgins (concussion), but All-Pro wideout Ja'Marr Chase is returning from a one-game suspension. Even with the long layoff, Burrow will be in play as at least a low-end QB1 option for fantasy managers in his return.

Wednesday, November 26, 9:15 AM

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who entered concussion protocol earlier this week, is not expected to play Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports. Next in line to take snaps for the Vikings is rookie quarterback Max Brosmer, out of Minnesota, who is set to take the first meaningful snaps of his career. Brosmer, undrafted in the 2025 draft, was signed by the Vikings as a priority undrafted free agent. He will look to bring a Vikings offense back to life, featuring playmakers who have underformed all year due to McCarthy's poor play, such as Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, and Aaron Jones Sr. McCarthy, the Vikings' former first-round pick in 2024, has struggled mightily in 2025, completing only 54 percent of his passes, throwing for 929 yards, six touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in six games played. While it's not clear the timeline and return for McCarthy, as concussion protocols are a tricky game to play, it's possible that if Brosmer plays well, the Vikings continue to let him play to see what they have in him, as it's been a lost season for the (4-7) Vikings after high hopes coming into the season after having 14 regular season wins in 2024 with Sam Darnold under center.