Who Should I Start? Brandon Aiyuk or Isiah Pacheco

Tuesday, September 17, 1:13 PM

With San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (calf) set to miss a couple of weeks with a calf strain, Brandon Aiyuk is now set up to serve as the team's WR1 heading into a divisional matchup in Week 3 against the Los Angeles Rams. Aiyuk played only 60% of the offensive snaps in the Week 1 win over the New York Jets after a lengthy contract hold-in during training camp this summer. He played 87% of the snaps in the Week 2 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, but through two games, Aiyuk has been a fantasy disappointment with six catches on 10 targets for 71 yards and no scores. Despite the poor start, fantasy managers need to keep the 26-year-old locked into starting lineups for Week 3 with Samuel sidelined. In addition to Aiyuk being more involved, receiver Jauan Jennings should operate as the WR2, while tight end George Kittle will also have a safer target floor for as long as Samuel is out.

Monday, September 16, 8:08 PM

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (leg) will undergo surgery in the middle of this week on the fractured fibula that he suffered in the Week 2 win over the Cincinnati Bengals and he's expected to miss at least six weeks, according to sources. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says that a six- to eight-week timetable is probably a best-case scenario, so the Chiefs will eventually place him on Injured Reserve, which will put him out for at least four games. If doctors find more ligament/tendon damage in Pacheco's leg when they open him up, it could be a longer road back for one of the best young RBs in the NFL. Fantasy managers obviously will want to stash Pacheco everywhere, while rookie Carson Steele immediately becomes one of the top waiver-wire targets this week. Samaje Perine should have an elevated role in KC's backfield as well and is worth a look in deep PPR formats with Pacheco injured.