Who Should I Start? Taylor Heinicke or Sam Darnold

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, November 20, 5:57 PM

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (foot) is listed on the Week 12 injury report after putting in a limited practice session on Wednesday due to a foot ailment. Darnold played the full game in the Week 11 win over the Tennessee Titans but is having his reps limited in the first practice of the week. We'll have a better idea of how serious his injury is after the Vikings hold two more practices on Thursday and Friday. The 27-year-old has slowed down of late in terms of his production, throwing five touchdowns and five interceptions in the last three games. It won't get any easier this weekend if he plays against the division-rival Chicago Bears, whose defense has given up the second-fewest fantasy points per game to the QB position in 2024. Darnold is shaping up as a low-end QB2 play for fantasy managers in Week 12 if he's active.