Who Should I Start? Josh Jacobs or J.J. McCarthy

Thursday, October 30, 6:49 PM

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (calf) continues to deal with a calf injury and was limited again during Thursday's practice, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. Jacobs has played through a calf injury each of the last two weeks, although he's had his two lowest snap rates in those games at just over 50%. The 27-year-old had only 33 rushing yards on 13 carries in the Sunday night win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he also found the end zone on the ground for the fourth straight week. While Jacobs hasn't gone over 100 yards in a game yet in 2025, he's been money for fantasy managers with nine rushing touchdowns in seven games played. The only game in which he didn't find the end zone was on Sept. 21 in the upset loss to the Cleveland Browns. Jacobs should be active this Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, where he'll be a touchdown-dependent midrange RB1 in fantasy.

Wednesday, October 29, 4:56 PM

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (ankle) will have a full week to prepare before returning as the starter for Week 9 against the Detroit Lions, according to Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune. McCarthy is expected to step back in as Minnesota's starting quarterback for the first time since Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons, when he suffered a high-ankle sprain that caused him to miss five games. The 2024 first-round pick struggled to adjust to the speed of the NFL in his first two games, completing 24 of 41 pass attempts for 301 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions to go with nine sacks taken. The 22-year-old will have plenty of growing pains after missing all of his rookie year with a knee injury, but head coach Kevin O'Connell has expressed confidence in him as their starter going forward. It's a tough spot to make his return, with a hostile road environment awaiting in Detroit for Week 9.