Who Should I Start? Saquon Barkley or Brady Cook

Thursday, December 18, 4:40 PM

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (stinger) was a full practice participant on Thursday and will not carry an injury designation into his team's Week 16 matchup against the Washington Commanders on Saturday. Barkley suffered a stinger in the Eagles' Week 15 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, but the injury will not result in missed time. Across 14 games this season, the 28-year-old has recorded 1,213 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns on 277 touches. His average of 3.9 yards per carry is down nearly two full yards from the 5.8 yards per carry he averaged in his first season in Philadelphia in 2024. Still, Barkley has logged touchdowns in back-to-back games entering Week 16 and profiles as a must-start fantasy running back in a favorable matchup against Washington.

Wednesday, December 17, 2:59 PM

New York Jets rookie quarterback Brady Cook has been named the starter for the team's Week 16 matchup with the Saints. Head coach Aaron Glenn made the announcement on Wednesday, adding that either Tyrod Taylor (groin) or Justin Fields (knee) will back him up. This marks Cook's second consecutive start after coming on early in relief of an injured Taylor in a Week 14 loss to the Dolphins, and then making his first career start in a Week 15 loss to the Jaguars. Through almost two full games, he has yet to top 180 passing yards while completing 57.1% of his passes with one touchdown to five interceptions. In the 48-20 loss to Jacksonville, running back Breece Hall was held to 23 yards on 12 carries, and against an underrated New Orleans defense on Sunday, all Jets offensive players will again face a severely limited fantasy ceiling.