Who Should I Start? Justin Jefferson or Rashee Rice

Tuesday, October 7, 2:11 PM

The Minnesota Vikings are on a bye in Week 6, but their return to the field could have fantasy implications for wide receiver Justin Jefferson. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy (ankle) has not played since Week 2, but the team is targeting Week 7 against the Philadelphia Eagles as his projected return. Jefferson drew 6.5 targets in two games with McCarthy compared to 9.7 with backup Carson Wentz, though Minnesota has been much more intentional about getting their star wideout the ball in the past two weeks, throwing his way a robust 22 times. Despite Minnesota facing tons of injury issues on the offensive line and both opponents surely game-planning for Jefferson to be heavily featured, he still put up 100-yard efforts in both games. Among fantasy receivers, Jefferson is about as QB-proof as there is, but McCarthy's return still will be a variable worth monitoring.

Monday, October 13, 3:29 PM

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid hinted that wide receiver Rashee Rice could have his workload monitored when he returns from a six-game suspension to make his season debut in Week 7 against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders, according to Matt McMullen of Chiefs.com. "It's just a matter of getting him back in the swing. I know he's in good shape...We'll just see how that all works out," Reid said on what to expect from Rice in his return. Rice has not been able to practice with the rest of the team during his suspension, so it's unclear exactly what his conditioning level is. Fantasy managers who have been stashing him to begin the year are probably itching to get him into their starting lineup, but is it wise to start him in Week 7? The 25-year-old should be quarterback Patrick Mahomes' top target when all is said and done in 2025, but as far as this weekend, fantasy managers may want to temper expectations as they get Rice back into the fold.