Who Should I Start? Justin Jefferson or Malik Nabers

Sunday, December 7, 4:59 PM

The Minnesota Vikings scored a thorough 31-0 victory against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, but star wide receiver Justin Jefferson finished the day with only two catches on four targets for 11 yards. Unfortunately for fantasy managers, Jefferson was hampered by something completely unexpected this week: The Vikings were ahead by so much that the team leaned on the running attack and took Jefferson out of the game in the fourth quarter. Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy threw no interceptions and tossed three touchdown passes, but all three were to tight ends. It was yet another letdown for fantasy managers who roster Jefferson, though Sunday certainly gave some hope that Minnesota's offense can actually move the ball again. The superstar receiver will put managers in a bind next week, as he'll take a continued slump into a great matchup against a struggling Dallas defense.

Tuesday, October 28, 5:23 PM

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee) had surgery on Tuesday to fix the torn ACL and meniscus in his right knee, and he "should be ready" for the start of next season, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Nabers suffered his season-ending knee injury in the Week 4 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, but he just now had surgery after doctors had to wait for the swelling in his knee to dissipate. Barring setbacks with his rehab and recovery in the offseason, the 22-year-old former first-rounder should be good to go for the start of the 2026 season next fall, although fantasy managers might have some reservations about rolling with a receiver coming off a major knee repair as a high-end WR1. Before his injury, though, Nabers had displayed his game-changing abilities with 271 yards and two scores on 18 receptions in four games. His long-term fantasy ceiling should be higher going forward now that rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart looks like the real deal.