Who Should I Start? Russell Wilson or Brock Purdy

Friday, September 13, 1:37 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said that he will list quarterback Russell Wilson (calf) as questionable for the Week 2 game in Denver against the Broncos. Wilson has been practicing on a limited basis this week, but all signs are pointing to him missing a second straight game to begin his tenure in Pittsburgh after aggravating a calf injury that he dealt with in training camp this summer. Tomlin admitted earlier this week that the team was preparing Justin Fields to start against the Broncos. However, there is a belief that the 35-year-old Wilson will be given the starting job back once he's fully cleared to play in games again, which could come as soon as Week 3 at home against the Los Angeles Chargers. We'll know for sure on Sunday morning, but all signs point to Fields starting. The former Chicago Bears QB profiles as a low-end QB2 for fantasy managers.

Saturday, September 14, 12:36 AM

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will try to pick up a second-straight win in a Week 2 matchup versus the Vikings in Minnesota on Sunday. He'll be going up against a defense that was almost exactly league-average in 2023 for fantasy points per game allowed to opposing quarterbacks, but who held Purdy to 272 yards, two interceptions, and one touchdown last year (albeit without stud tackle Trent Williams and receiver Deebo Samuel). The Vikings made mostly minor changes to their defensive personnel in the offseason, most notably losing standout edge rusher Danielle Hunter and replacing him with first-round pick Dallas Turner. In their opener last week, the Vikings made New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones look horrible but how much credit goes to the defense versus Jones' ineptitude is debatable. Last week, Purdy was solid but rather unhelpful for fantasy managers in a home victory over the New York Jets, with 231 yards passing, 11 yards rushing, and no touchdowns or picks. At any rate, he'll have his whole complement of receivers in this one -- save for running back Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) -- so Purdy should be in for a decent day, especially with wideout Brandon Aiyuk getting another week of practice under his belt. Look for Purdy to find the end zone in Week 2, as he sits on the fantasy QB1/2 border.