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

Friday, October 31, 1:18 PM

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor is calling veteran quarterback Joe Flacco (shoulder) questionable to play in Week 9 against the visiting Chicago Bears on Sunday, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. Taylor also said that Flacco looked good while being limited in Thursday's practice, a day after he was a non-participant due to an AC joint sprain in his right shoulder that he suffered in the Week 8 loss to the New York Jets. The 40-year-old said he was feeling good on Friday, but it's still unclear if he'll be given the green light to play this weekend. The good news is that fantasy managers will know whether Flacco is active before the first games kick off on Sunday. If he's active, he'll be a midrange QB2 option for fantasy managers as he continues to relentlessly target star wideout Ja'Marr Chase. If Flacco is inactive, it will be Jake Browning back in the starting role, which would be bad news for Chase.

Friday, October 31, 4:59 PM

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (ankle) is set to return to the starting lineup on Sunday against Detroit, but the biggest question for fantasy managers should be whether the team can keep him upright. The Vikings, who have the second-worst sack rate in the league, are coming off a miserable showing last week in which they ran just 47 plays and gained 146 yards. Left tackle Christian Darrisaw (knee) has been in and out of the lineup, right tackle Brian O'Neill (knee) has no designation this week but missed all of last game, and center Ryan Kelly (concussion) is on injured reserve. Still, with skill players like wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, there is at least some hope that McCarthy's return can provide a jolt to an offense that sorely needs it. Playing at Detroit is a tough start, however, so managers should consider McCarthy only in deeper leagues with a superflex spot.