Who Should I Start? Quentin Johnston or Brock Bowers

Friday, October 24, 9:29 AM

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnson did not see a target in Thursday night's 37-10 win over the Minnesota Vikings. Johnston has trended in the wrong direction after a remarkable first four games of the season, catching 22 of 36 targets for 337 yards and four touchdowns. The third-year wide receiver missed Week 6, but he has totaled just six catches on 10 targets for 70 yards and a touchdown in three games since, with Week 8 marking the low point. It was the first game of his career in which he was held without a target and the third game without a reception. The emergence of rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden has made it difficult for all the Chargers' pass catchers to be involved consistently, and Johnston may be the odd man out. He'll look to bounce back in Week 9 when the Chargers go on the road to face the Tennessee Titans.

Monday, October 20, 3:00 PM

Las Vegas Raiders All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers (knee) has missed the last three games as he recovers from the bone bruise and PCL injury he sustained in the season opener, but according to head coach Pete Carroll, he's expected to return to the field following the team's Week 8 bye. The Raiders are coming off one of the worst offensive performances in recent history, managing fewer than 100 total yards in a 31-0 shellacking from the Kansas City Chiefs, so for multiple reasons, the bye week comes at a good time. Bowers caught five of eight targets for 103 yards in Week 1, but was clearly limited in his next three outings, lacking his trademark explosiveness as he played with a knee brace. Rather than risk further injury, the team made the decision to shut him down until he's fully healthy, and he is now in line to play in Week 9 against the Jaguars. While he may need to work himself back into game shape, he should still be inserted right back into starting lineups, as the upside he offers at the position is practically unmatched across the league.