Who Should I Start? Ainias Smith or Bub Means

Tuesday, August 19, 9:35 AM

Second-year Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Ainias Smith has enjoyed a healthy training camp, and his coaches have taken notice. Last season, as a fifth-round rookie, he struggled through camp with a stress fracture in his shin that would eventually land him on Injured Reserve for two months. This year, he is healthy and competing for one of the Eagles' last receiver spots on the 53-man roster. He has played in each of the team's first two preseason games, catching a touchdown in both and returning punts and kicks, as his path to the roster may run through special teams. Smith has been competing with fellow second-year wideout Johnny Wilson and undrafted rookie Darius Cooper for one of the team's final roster spots, and on Sunday, the Eagles acquired former second-round pick John Metchie III from the Houston Texans. Whoever can win the camp battle will have little relevance in managed redraft leagues, but could be worth a stash in deep dynasty formats.

Wednesday, August 13, 6:12 PM

The New Orleans Saints placed wide receiver Bub Means (leg) on season-ending Injured Reserve on Wednesday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Means suffered a serious lower-leg injury in the preseason opener against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday and will now miss the entire 2025 season. Before his injury on Sunday, he caught one pass for a gain of 12 yards. It's definitely a blow to the Saints receiving corps after the 24-year-old fifth-rounder last year caught nine of his 15 targets for 118 yards and one touchdown in seven games (one start) in his rookie season. Means also missed the final nine games of his first year in the league with an ankle injury, so he has quickly developed an injury-prone label. Means will now rehab his leg in hopes of being ready for the start of the 2026 season.