Who Should I Start? Sam Darnold or Brett Rypien

Friday, October 17, 8:47 PM

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold has been an exciting fantasy asset of late. Unfortunately, Darnold draws a very tough matchup against the Houston Texans on Monday night. Houston is the No. 1 overall team against opposing quarterbacks in fantasy in 2025. This passing defense has done well to shut down every opposing quarterback they have played, especially over the past two games. Even Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield had a pedestrian game against this defense in Week 2. Darnold's hot streak has included two straight games with at least 20 fantasy points. Additionally, Darnold has produced at least 242 passing yards in four of his past five games. Best of all, Darnold is protecting the football with just four turnovers this season. Darnold should continue to protect the ball against the Texans this week, but Houston's smothering defense may cap his overall passing output. This projects to be a lower-scoring game in a clash between two elite defenses. As such, Darnold should be rostered, but left on your bench in Week 7.

Tuesday, October 14, 7:41 PM

Veteran free-agent quarterback Brett Rypien signed with the Indianapolis Colts' practice squad on Tuesday, a source told Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Anthony Richardson Sr. (eye) suffered a fractured orbital bone before Sunday's win over the Arizona Cardinals when a resistance band snapped and hit him in the face. With Richardson expected to be out multiple weeks, the Colts placed him on Injured Reserve on Monday, meaning he will be out at least four games. Rypien will give the Colts added QB insurance behind starter Daniel Jones and new No. 2 Riley Leonard. The 29-year-old was with the Minnesota Vikings in training camp before joining the Cincinnati Bengals. He played three offensive snaps with Cincy but was cut after the Bengals acquired veteran QB Joe Flacco in a trade. Rypien has completed 58.3% of his pass attempts for 950 passing yards, four touchdowns, and nine interceptions in 11 career games (four starts) since entering the league in 2020 with the Denver Broncos.