Kyler Murray ($5,700) is dealing with a foot injury and the quarterback won’t practice Wednesday, which is obviously concerning news.
If Murray is inactive this Sunday vs. the Colts, Jacoby Brissett ($4,700) would be in line to start at quarterback for the Cardinals. While Murray has struggled this season, averaging a career-low 6.0 YPA and throwing six touchdowns to three picks, substituting him for Brissett would be a big downgrade for Arizona’s passing game.
Last season with the Patriots, Brissett averaged just 5.1 YPA and he threw just two touchdowns and one pick, despite starting five games. New England went 1-4 in those games with Brissett starting and only three times during this stretch did a Patriots’ receiver or tight end score double-digit FPTS.
With Murray as their quarterback this season, McBride ($5,500) has remained one of the most reliable tight ends in fantasy football, ranking fourth in FPTS at his position while handling a 26.6% target share. However, Harrison Jr. ($5,300) has struggled with consistency, ranking 23rd in FPTS among wideouts and seeing a 20.3% target share.
If Brissett starts in place of Murray this Sunday vs. the Colts, who are giving up the 12th-fewest yards per pass this season (6.1), both McBride and Harrison Jr.’s floors and ceilings will be lower than usual. Harrison Jr. would be a player to consider benching, whereas McBride would remain a viable fantasy starter, given his elite target earning ability and that he could be a safety blanket for Brissett on short passes, as the veteran targeted a tight end on 29% of his throws during his five starts with the Patriots last season.
With Murray’s status in question, the Cardinals are a seven-point road underdog vs. the Colts on DraftKings Sportsbook.
