Who Should I Start? Brandon Aiyuk or Joshua Palmer

Monday, August 11, 5:05 PM

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan hasn't thought about it much, but said that wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) might return in Week 6. General manager John Lynch already said that he didn't think Aiyuk would be ready for Week 1 of the regular season in early September, but now it looks like the 27-year-old pass-catcher will be out much longer after tearing both his MCL and ACL in his right knee last October. Aiyuk is expected to begin the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list, which will require him to miss at least the first four games. He has not practiced with the team at all this year. Obviously, this is a big hit to Aiyuk's 2025 fantasy value. Aiyuk is stash-worthy in fantasy leagues that have designated Injured Reserve spots. In Aiyuk's absence, both Jauan Jennings (calf) and Ricky Pearsall stand to benefit as key members of the passing attack.

Monday, August 4, 8:58 PM

After sitting out Sunday, Buffalo Bills wide receiver Joshua Palmer (groin) returned to practice on Monday. Palmer spent the first four seasons of his career with the Los Angeles Chargers before joining the Bills on a three-year contract in free agency this past winter. While Palmer caught fewer than 40 passes for under 600 yards in each of the previous two seasons, he could be in for a bigger role on a Buffalo team that lacks a star receiver. The team's most productive wideout from last season, Khalil Shakir (ankle), suffered a high-ankle sprain last Friday and is considered "week-to-week." It'll be all the more important for Palmer and others to step up if Shakir has to miss any regular-season action.