Who Should I Start? Justin Jefferson or Ja'Marr Chase

Friday, July 25, 3:28 PM

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (hamstring) has suffered a mild left-hamstring strain, according to Alec Lewis of The Athletic. Lewis reports that the team plans to be "really cautious" with its star receiver, but does not relay any sort of timeline for his return to practice. Jefferson missed seven games with an injury to his right hamstring back in 2023, so there's a history of soft-tissue injuries in his lower body. The 26-year-old is arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL, coming off a season in which he recorded 103 catches for 1,533 yards and 10 touchdowns. His presence on the field is critical to the success of Minnesota's offense and first-year starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy. It's too early to say that Jefferson is at risk of missing any significant time, but the Vikings are already likely facing an early-season suspension for their WR2, Jordan Addison.

Thursday, July 17, 8:29 AM

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase told CBS Sports this week that he expects the NFL to see its first 2,000-yard receiving season in the next three years. He continued to say that he thinks it will be either him or Justin Jefferson who accomplishes the feat. That being said, a reverse of fortune in Cincinnati is likely more important to the young receiver as the Bengals have missed the playoffs for two straight seasons. While the team's offense has been elite, the defensive side of the ball has been an issue of late. Chase stated, "The defense is going to have to step up...and make some stops." He went on to say, "That's all we ask them to do." The team added a new defensive coordinator, hiring Al Golden after letting long-time DC Lou Anarumo go following the 2024 season. From a fantasy perspective, Chase remains a locked-in WR1 in any format regardless of the state of the Cincy defense.