Who Should I Start? Allen Lazard or Christian Watson

Monday, August 25, 1:18 PM

New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard (shoulder) is on track to be available for Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Sept. 7, according to head coach Aaron Glenn. Lazard suffered a shoulder injury in the team's preseason opener on Aug. 9 and didn't play in the final two games. The 29-year-old will probably be on the first official injury report next week, but a long as he doesn't have a setback, he could be out on the field for the season opener. Fantasy managers will be avoiding him if he's active, though, as Lazard is merely competing for a depth role behind WR1 Garrett Wilson in New York with Josh Reynolds and Tyler Johnson. Lazard rebounded somewhat in 2024 in his second year with the team, but he's mostly been a dissapointment for the Jets with 60 catches on 109 targets for 841 yards and seven touchdowns in 26 games (22 starts).

Tuesday, August 26, 6:06 PM

The Green Bay Packers officially placed wide receiver Christian Watson (knee) on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list on Tuesday, according to Packers.com writer Wes Hodkiewicz. This was always the expectation for Watson after he tore the ACL in his right knee in the Week 18 regular-season finale late last year, and now it's official. The move means that the 26-year-old will miss at least the first four games of the 2025 campaign despite the fact that he was getting glowing reviews during his rehab during training camp this summer. His first chance to make his season debut will come in Week 6 on Oct. 12 against the Cincinnati Bengals -- the Packers have a bye in Week 5. Green Bay is probably going to ease Watson back when he's ready, so fantasy managers in 12-team leagues can probably stay away for now, especially given the crowded nature of the team's receiving room.