Who Should I Start? Ainias Smith or Tyrell Shavers

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.

Tuesday, January 13, 5:51 PM

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Tyrell Shavers (knee) suffered a torn ACL in Sunday's Wild-Card win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to head coach Sean McDermott. It's another big hit to an already very thin Bills receiving room going into a challenging road matchup in the Divisional Round against the Denver Broncos and their stout defense. In addition to Shavers, the Bills also lost veteran wideout Gabe Davis (knee) to a torn ACL on Sunday. It means that veteran Brandin Cooks and Keon Coleman will be asked to step up behind WR1 Khalil Shakir this week, with Curtis Samuel (elbow) potentially coming off Injured Reserve this week to provide receiving depth on Saturday in Denver. Given the timing of Shavers' serious injury, he most likely will not be ready to go for the start of the 2026 campaign this fall. He had only 15 catches for 245 yards and one TD on 23 targets in his second year in the NFL during the regular season.