Who Should I Start? Lamar Jackson or Gardner Minshew

Sunday, December 28, 12:44 PM

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (back) is likely to return in Week 18 next Sunday against the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers. Jackson suffered a back bruise in the Week 16 loss to the New England Patriots and was held out of Saturday night's blowout win over the Green Bay Packers. The two-time MVP's back injury doesn't seem too serious, but the Ravens will probably only start him next weekend if the Steelers lose to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday to force a winner-take-all division battle in the Week 18 regular-season finale next weekend. If Jackson does return next weekend to face the Steelers, expect the Ravens to continue to lean heavily on running back Derrick Henry, who went over 200 rushing yards with four touchdowns against Green Bay. Jackson has been a big disappointment in 2025 for fantasy managers while battling through various injuries. He'll be more of a low-end QB1 in DFS if the Ravens are still playing for something in Week 18.

Tuesday, December 23, 9:38 AM

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Gardner Minshew (knee) got good news from an MRI on his injured knee, as his ACL was not torn as initially feared. He's still out for the rest of the season on IR, but his recovery will be quicker since it's a "non-displaced tibial plateau fracture," which is basically a severe bone bruise but does not require surgery. The seventh-year QB was on a one-year deal with the Chiefs, but only played two games this season. He'll be a free agent this offseason, and the fact that he won't have to recover from a torn ACL will make him one of the better backup options on the market. He could return to Kansas City or land with a new team, but wherever he ends up, the fact that he doesn't have a torn ACL should improve his chances of being ready for offseason activities and the start of next season.