Who Should I Start? Marquez Valdes-Scantling or Bucky Irving

Monday, December 23, 7:27 PM

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling (chest, illness) is inactive for Monday's game against the Green Bay Packers. Valdes-Scantling did not practice on Thursday and Friday due to a chest/illness and was listed as questionable for Monday Night football. The 30-year-old was eventually ruled out about an hour before Monday's kickoff. MVS has put up modest numbers recently, catching eight of 17 targets for 151 yards and a touchdown over his last three weeks. Valdes-Scantling's next chance to return will be in the Week 17 matchup versus the Las Vegas Raiders. With MVS out, look for Kevin Austin Jr., Mason Tipton, Dante Pettis, and Cedrick Wilson Jr. to lead the Saints wide receivers in Week 17. Saints tight ends Juwan Johnson and Foster Moreau should also see an uptick in usage against the Green Bay Packers. Fantasy managers shouldn't trust any of these Saints targets for the fantasy football semi-finals outside of deep leagues as the Saints offense is downgraded as a whole with Alvin Kamara (groin) inactive and Spencer Rattler starting for the injured Derek Carr (concussion, hand).

Monday, December 23, 12:39 AM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving rushed for 68 yards and one touchdown on 16 carries during Sunday's Week 16 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. He also caught all three of his targets for an additional 24 yards through the air. Although the Buccaneers were upset on the road by the Cowboys, Irving still had a good game, breaking several tackles and scoring a touchdown to keep his fantasy managers happy. Perhaps most importantly, he had 16 carries while Rachaad White had just three. It's safe to say that Irving has officially taken over as the Buccaneers' primary ball-carrier, and he'll continue to rank as a high-end RB2 option in fantasy football going forward. He should be started in all leagues when the Buccaneers take on the Carolina Panthers next week.