Who Should I Start? Brandon Aiyuk or Jayden Reed

Friday, October 24, 5:31 PM

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that the team could open wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk's (knee) 21-day practice window next week, according to David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard. Even if Aiyuk doesn't resume practicing next week, the team is in "week-to-week mode now" in terms of when they will designate him to return from the Physically Unable to Perform list. The 27-year-old has been out all year as he recovers from a devastating right-knee injury that he suffered in Week 7 of 2024. He is getting close to rejoining the team on the practice field, but Aiyuk's return to game action on Sundays may still be a ways off. The former first-rounder is worth stashing in all fantasy leagues, but expectations must be tempered as the Niners continue to slow-play his return. Jauan Jennings and Kendrick Bourne will serve as the top receivers for San Fran again in Week 8, with Ricky Pearsall (knee) missing a fourth straight game.

Saturday, September 20, 2:17 PM

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (collarbone, foot) has officially been placed on Injured Reserve, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. This move comes as no surprise after Reed suffered a fractured collarbone in Week 2. He had also been attempting to play through a Jones fracture in his foot, so Reed underwent operations on both injuries earlier this week. The IR placement guarantees Reed will miss at least four games, but he's almost certain to be out significantly longer than that. Without him, Packers wide receivers Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks, and Matthew Golden could all see a bump in both snaps and target volume. Reed could be stashed in fantasy leagues that offer an IR spot, but there's no guarantee he will be able to return in time to make an impact later this season.