Who Should I Start? Joe Burrow or Shedeur Sanders

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.

Friday, October 10, 1:34 PM

Cleveland Browns rookie fifth-round quarterback Shedeur Sanders will serve as the backup to fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel in the Week 6 divisional clash on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski. Sanders began the year buried on Cleveland's QB depth chart, but he has slowly risen up the ranks after the Browns traded both Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett. The 23-year-old showed well in training camp and the preseason and has been praised by the coaching staff for the work that he's put in, but they are going to continue to develop him at their own pace in what is looking like another rebuilding year. Gabriel will probably have a long leash under center as he heads into just his second NFL start this weekend against Pittsburgh. However, Sanders' odds of seeing action in 2025 later this year have risen dramatically after the trade of Flacco this week. He is still only deserving of being rostered in fantasy in dynasty/keeper leagues.