Who Should I Start? Brandon Aiyuk or JaMycal Hasty

Tuesday, December 2, 11:37 AM

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said he is "not sure" but "hopeful" when asked if it's realistic to expect wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) to take the field in 2025, per David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard. Aiyuk tore multiple ligaments in his knee in Week 7 of the 2024 season and has yet to play in a game since. Aiyuk was one of the most efficient wide receivers in the NFL in the last full season he played back in 2023, recording 75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns on 105 targets. However, it appears as though he may not be healthy until 2026. Aiyuk also may be locked into a contract stand-off with the team, as the 49ers reportedly voided guarantees in his current contract. Between the injury and the contractual issues, fantasy managers should likely proceed as though Aiyuk will not play a fantasy-relevant role in 2025.

Thursday, August 21, 11:16 PM

New England Patriots running back JaMycal Hasty rushed for 30 yards on 11 carries during Thursday's preseason finale against the New York Giants. He also converted his lone target into a nine-yard reception. With the preseason wrapping up, New England played most of its depth players against the Giants. Their gameday roster included Hasty, who is the lone Patriots running back whose status still appears to be up in the air. TreVeyon Henderson, Rhamondre Stevenson, and Antonio Gibson are virtually locks to make the team, but if the Patriots opt to keep a fourth running back, that job would likely go to Hasty. The veteran running back clearly has the attention of New England's front office, which claimed him off waivers in 2023, kept him around in 2024, and re-signed him to the roster just a few weeks ago. Even if he does make the team, Hasty's limited role would keep him off the fantasy radar.