Who Should I Start? Marcus Mariota or Travis Hunter

Friday, January 2, 12:26 PM

Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota (hand) has officially been ruled out for Sunday's Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. Mariota was a stretch to make it back to play in the final game of the year after injuring his hand in the Week 16 loss to the Eagles. The 32-year-old veteran was held out of the Christmas Day loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 17 and will now miss a second straight game to end the year. Journeyman QB Josh Johnson will make a second straight start for the Commanders. Mariota ended up playing in 11 games (eight starts) this year while filling in for the injured Jayden Daniels, and he held his own, throwing for 1,695 yards, 10 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He added 297 yards on the ground and a TD.

Monday, January 26, 2:34 PM

ESPN's Michael DiRocco writes that "early indications" are that Jacksonville Jaguars two-way star and former Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter is "primarily going to be a cornerback and have a package of plays on offense." Hunter's rookie season in the NFL was cut short by a season-ending knee injury, but he finished the year as more of a receiver than a cornerback. He played 67% of the offensive snaps and 36% of the defensive snaps before his non-contact knee injury in practice on Oct. 30. The Jaguars will continue to use Hunter on offense, but they have more of a need at defensive back going into next season. Hunter could start across from Jourdan Lewis while also playing in nickel situations. What general manager James Gladstone does in free agency will help clarify what exactly the Jags will do with Hunter, but right now, it looks like his fantasy football stock will drop drastically.