Who Should I Start? Marcus Mariota or Carson Wentz

Monday, September 15, 3:41 PM

If Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (knee) cannot play in Week 3, backup Marcus Mariota could be forced into action against his old team, the Las Vegas Raiders. After undergoing an MRI exam following last Thursday night's loss to the Green Bay Packers, Daniels was diagnosed with a sprained knee, which puts his availability for Week 3 this Sunday in question. Daniels' injury isn't considered a long-term one, but his status is in doubt for this weekend. The Commanders surely will play it safe with the 24-year-old Daniels. Mariota, 31, hasn't started in the NFL since he made 13 starts with the Atlanta Falcons in 2023. Since then, he's appeared in six games with the Philadelphia Eagles and Commanders, throwing for 528 yards, five touchdowns, and a pick on 67 pass attempts. Mariota wasn't bad in spot duty in 2024 with Washington, although he'd be a low-upside, low-end QB2 in superflex leagues in Week 3 if he makes the start against the Raiders.

Monday, September 15, 3:23 PM

With Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (ankle) looking unlikely to play in Week 3 against the Cincinnati Bengals due to a high-ankle sprain that he suffered in Sunday night's loss to the Atlanta Falcons, veteran signal-caller Carson Wentz is now in line to start this Sunday. Wentz, a former first-rounder by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2016, hasn't been a full-time starter since 2021 with the Indianapolis Colts. Since then, he's appeared in only 13 games, making nine starts for the Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Rams, and Kansas City Chiefs. The 32-year-old has gone 201-for-319 for 2,036 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in that span. McCarthy could easily miss multiple weeks, making Wentz a candidate for a waiver-wire pickup in superflex leagues. With All-Pro wideout Justin Jefferson as his WR1 and with Jordan Addison being available as soon as Week 4, Wentz could have a decent run for fantasy managers as a short-term fill-in at the QB position.