Vrabel declines to name Week 18 starter

Titans HC Mike Vrabel declined to name a starting QB for Week 18 after Thursday night's loss to the Cowboys. Joshua Dobbs looked like a functional NFL QB for most of that game, finishing 20-of-39 for 232 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. "It was a great opportunity to evaluate Josh, and we'll make a decision going forward," Vrabel said. "I thought he did some good things, and obviously a couple of throws he'd like to have back. We'll see where things are here in a couple of days." Dobbs threw for just 2 fewer yards against Dallas than QB Malik Willis TOTALED in his 3 starts. We're guessing the Titans roll with Dobbs in next weekend's must-win game vs. the Jaguars, but we'll keep you updated.

Per Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Vikings will be making a change at the QB position in Week 15. Joshua Dobbs is being sent to the bench after four starts and will be replaced by backup Nick Mullens. This news doesn't come as much of a surprise, considering Dobbs' recent struggles and the fact that he was yanked in the fourth quarter of Sunday's contest vs. the Raiders. From a fantasy perspective, Mullens doesn't bring the same rushing ability to the table as Dobbs did and shouldn't be considered a lineup option outside of deep 2QB/superflex leagues. Check out where he appears in our current QB rankings.

Vikings QB Joshua Dobbs was benched early in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game vs. the Raiders. He completed just 10 of 23 passes for 63 scoreless yards -- definitely a benchable offense. QB Nick Mullens is in for Dobbs. We'll see how he fares and who Minnesota rolls with going forward.

The Vikings will continue starting QB Josh Dobbs this week against the Raiders, NFL Network reports. It's not a surprising revelation, and that's how we already had our Week 14 rankings set. Of course it'd be nice if Minnesota could go with a steadier QB than the journeyman who threw 4 INTs against the Bears his last time out. But the other options are Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall. Dobbs gets a fine matchup with the Raiders and will carry fantasy upside. The risk, however, is that he enters the game on a short leash. A turnover or two could motivate HC Kevin O'Connell to pull an in-game switch. We've factored some of that risk into Dobbs' projection for Week 14. But you'll need to make a personal call on his situation before setting your fantasy lineup with or without him. It can only help the whole offense to (likely) get WR Justin Jefferson back.

Vikings OC Wes Phillips said Tuesday that HC Kevin O'Connell will announce the starting QB Wednesday. Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune says, "Based on everything I've heard this week, I expect the Vikings to start Josh Dobbs against the Raiders." That's how we have it projected in the Week 14 QB rankings, but we'll obviously be watching for any change. Dobbs has showed plenty of fantasy upside and will get a fine matchup if he stays in the lineup. There figures to be some risk he gets pulled, though, if he struggles anywhere near how he did against the Bears before the bye.

Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell said after Monday night's loss to the Bears that he'll consider making a QB change over the bye week. QB Josh Dobbs was horrible in the loss, throwing for just 185 yards with one TD and four INTs. "We're going to take a look, you know really evaluate the inventory of plays now we have of Josh," O'Connell said. "As much as the turnovers absolutely cripple you, offensively, I still thought Josh battled, no flinch, and just kept playing and competing to try to help us win. I really credit him doing that, it's hard to do on a night where you've turned the football over." Dobbs, of course, played well in his first three games with Minnesota, completing 66% of his passes with four TDs and one INT. Considering that -- and the fact that the Vikings' other QB options are Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall -- we're expecting Dobbs to at least start Week 14's meeting with the Raiders. But we'll keep you updated on O'Connell's decision.