Who Should I Start? Jordan Love or J.J. McCarthy

Wednesday, September 3, 6:13 PM

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (thumb) is not on the Week 1 injury report and got in a full practice on Wednesday, per Rob Demovsky of ESPN. Love had surgery to fix a ligament in his left (non-throwing) thumb early in the preseason, but he was back to full practice last week and is fully expected to start in the Week 1 divisional clash against the Detroit Lions this Sunday. The 26-year-old could be wearing a brace on his left thumb on game day, but he said it hasn't limited him at all on hand-offs to the running backs. Love will be active this weekend, but it will be a dicey matchup against pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson and Company, and he could be without one of his top receivers in Jayden Reed (foot). He's on the QB1/2 borderline for the first game of the 2025 season.

Saturday, September 6, 3:48 PM

It has been a long wait, but quarterback J.J. McCarthy is a playable option in Superflex leagues with his Minnesota Vikings set to take on the Chicago Bears in Week 1. The second-year quarterback missed his entire rookie season after sustaining a meniscus injury, but it's now his show in Minnesota after the Vikings parted ways with Sam Darnold in the offseason. He'll start with a road game against a strong Bears pass defense that allowed the fewest passing touchdowns in the NFL and ranked seventh in pressure percentage in 2024. With a rebuilt interior offensive line, capable veterans at all skill positions -- including All-Pro Justin Jefferson at receiver -- and a quarterback-friendly coach, McCarthy is still worthy of holding a QB2 spot in Week 1.