Who Should I Start? Lamar Jackson or Brock Purdy

Wednesday, August 13, 4:08 PM

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said that the same players who didn't play at all in the preseason opener last week against the Indianapolis Colts won't play in their second preseason tilt versus the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday, either. It means that key starters like quarterback Lamar Jackson won't be suiting up. Backup Cooper Rush could get more than a quarter of action this weekend. The 28-year-old Jackson didn't play at all last preseason, so don't be surprised if the same thing happens this year after he threw for a career-high 4,172 yards, 41 touchdowns and only four interceptions in 17 regular-season games a year ago. The four-time Pro Bowler and two-time MVP is at the top of his game and is a high-end, dual-threat QB1 for fantasy managers in 2025. Jackson isn't dealing with any sort of injury this summer.

Sunday, August 17, 3:36 AM

Quarterback Brock Purdy saw his first action of the 2025 preseason, though he was limited to just the first drive of the 49ers' 22-19 win over the Raiders on Saturday. It was announced prior to the game that Purdy would manage the first one or two drives, depending on their length, so that he could get in-game reps and develop chemistry with his receiving corps. The newly minted 265-million-dollar man showed plenty of chemistry with second-year wideout Ricky Pearsall. Purdy's first three pass attempts went to Pearsall, who secured them all for a total of 42 yards. Purdy completed two other passes on the 11-play drive, finishing 5-for-7 for 66 yards. Four of the five completions went for at least 11 yards. The 49ers' next and final tune-up before the regular season comes on August 23 when they take on their former head coach, Jim Harbaugh, and his Los Angeles Chargers.