Who Should I Start? Brandon Aiyuk or Jayden Reed

Thursday, December 18, 4:18 PM

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) has been "extremely distant" from the team since suffering a season-ending knee injury in Week 7 of the 2024 season, per Matt Barrows of The Athletic. The 27-year-old has not played a game since that point. The 49ers voided guarantees in his contract for 2026 and placed him on the reserve/left squad list on Saturday, officially ending his 2025 season. All signs seem to indicate that Aiyuk and the 49ers are likely to go their separate ways this offseason. In his last fully healthy season in 2023, Aiyuk recorded 75 receptions for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns on 105 targets. He has a chance to get back to his superstar heights if he can get fully healthy and find the right team. However, his health and the way his current situation in San Francisco has unfolded may bring about question marks for dynasty league fantasy managers.

Thursday, December 25, 6:53 PM

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed remains decently involved in the Packers' passing attack, but will need more involvement to be a locked-in fantasy starter when the Packers host the Baltimore Ravens in Week 17. Since returning in Week 14 from injury, Reed hasn't crested double-digit fantasy points in any of his three games. Averaging four targets, four receptions, and 40 receiving yards per game since returning, Reed needs to get more involved in Green Bay's offensive production. He's still being used primarily in the slot with little utilization out wide, which limits his fantasy production. With the quarterback situation up in the air for the Packers with Jordan Love (shoulder/concussion) and Malik Willis (shoulder/illness) both questionable for Week 17, consider Reed a low-end flex for Saturday's game against Baltimore.