Who Should I Start? Taylor Heinicke or Jayden Daniels

Wednesday, August 28, 8:22 PM

The Los Angeles Chargers are acquiring quarterback Taylor Heinicke from the Atlanta Falcons on Wednesday in exchange for a conditional sixth-round draft pick. Not only is starting quarterback Justin Herbert (foot) recovering from plantar fasciitis in his foot, but backup Easton Stick regressed in training camp and the preseason. The 31-year-old Heinicke will be an upgrade at the QB position behind Herbert entering the regular season next week. In Atlanta, the Falcons were expected all along to try and trade Heinicke after taking rookie Michael Penix Jr. in the first round in April. Heinicke made his NFL debut back in 2017 with the Houston Texans and has appeared in 38 games (29 starts) since then with four different teams. His best year came in 2021 with Washington, when he threw for 3,419 yards, 20 touchdowns and 15 picks on 321 pass attempts over 16 games (15 starts).

Wednesday, October 23, 1:14 PM

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn told reporters on Wednesday that rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels (ribs) will not practice after injuring his ribs in the Week 7 win over the Carolina Panthers. Backup Marcus Mariota will take first-team repetitions in practice, and it appears to be trending toward Mariota making the start in Week 8 against the visiting Chicago Bears. Daniels' injury doesn't appear to be very serious, but it doesn't mean that he'll start this weekend. The Commanders called the 23-year-old second overall pick week-to-week on Monday, so fantasy managers should have already made alternate plans in case he's ruled out this Sunday. If Daniels is out in Week 8, Washington's offense won't have nearly as much upside, while Mariota will be in play as a low-end QB2 in superflex leagues.