Who Should I Start? Mason Rudolph or Justin Fields

Friday, August 22, 10:43 AM

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph completed six of his eight pass attempts for 36 scoreless yards and an interception in Thursday night's 19-10 preseason win over the Carolina Panthers. Rudolph took the field for the team's first three offensive possessions and could not get much of anything going. The Steelers punted twice in the first quarter before Rudolph opened the second period with an ill-advised throw to Ke'Shawn Williams that Carolina picked off. Rudolph's brief showing was quickly outshined by teammate Skylar Thompson, who led Pittsburgh on three straight scoring drives. Nonetheless, the 30-year-old Rudolph should be expected to maintain QB2 duties heading into the regular season as the most experienced backup on the roster, especially if rookie Will Howard (finger) is placed on IR.

Monday, September 15, 10:01 AM

Zack Rosenblatt, senior writer at The Athletic, reports that New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields is in the concussion protocol, according to head coach Aaron Glenn. Fields exited the game in the fourth quarter with a concussion, and the Jets ended up losing to the Buffalo Bills 30-10 on Sunday. Fields struggled mightily before his departure, completing an abysmal three of 11 passes for 27 yards. He provided fantasy managers with a boost on the ground, rushing for 49 yards on five attempts, but the Jets' offense struggled against a Bills defense that had just allowed 40 points to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1. Fields will have to progress through the NFL's protocol for head injuries to play in Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If Fields isn't cleared for Week 3 action, Tyrod Taylor would be in line to start in his place and would be a QB2. If Fields can suit up, he will remain a low-end QB1 due to his rushing upside.