Who Should I Start? Brandon Aiyuk or Darnell Mooney

Thursday, August 7, 12:05 PM

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said that he "doesn't think" wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) will be cleared for Week 1, although there's still no official timetable set for his return after he tore both his ACL and MCL last year. Aiyuk has been on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list since the start of training camp, and if he remains there for the start of the regular season, he'll be forced to miss at least the first four weeks of the season. The 27-year-old had surgery on his right knee in mid-November of last year and has yet to practice at all. With Aiyuk potentially missing at least the first four weeks of 2025, he's dropped to No. 57 in RotoBaller's receiver rankings. The former first-rounder signed a big extension with San Fran before last season and then had only 25 catches for 374 yards and no touchdowns in seven games before his season-ending injury.

Monday, August 4, 10:00 AM

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney (shoulder) remains sidelined for his team as their first preseason game approaches later this week. Mooney injured his shoulder during the first week of training camp and is expected to miss some more time. Head coach Raheem Morris told reporters that they still have a few more weeks to allow Mooney to heal, but will not commit to Mooney being ready for Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The team hasn't provided much as far as the extent or nature of Mooney's shoulder injury, which is a bit of a concern. Mooney sets up as a low-end WR4/high-end WR5 in fantasy drafts this summer, but it would be reassuring to see him get back on the practice field before Week 1. If he's not ready for the season opener, Drake London would see a huge target share while Kyle Pitts would also get a bump.