Who Should I Start? Brandon Aiyuk or Nick Westbrook-Ikhine

Tuesday, October 14, 3:21 PM

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Monday that wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) is getting "closer and closer" to returning to practice following his ACL and MCL tears in his right knee in Week 7 of last year. While the Niners aren't giving any specific date for a potential return to the practice field for Aiyuk, Shanahan mentioned Week 10 as a rough estimate, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. Despite the Niners also dealing with injuries to receivers Jauan Jennings (ribs) and Ricky Pearsall and tight end George Kittle (hamstring), Aiyuk isn't going to be rushed back. And even if Aiyuk does return to practice ahead of the team's Week 10 game against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams, it doesn't mean the former first-rounder would be active for his season debut that week. Once Aiyuk's practice window is open, the 49ers will have 21 days to officially activate him from the Physically Unable to Perform list. Fantasy managers who are stashing Aiyuk must remain patient.

Saturday, October 18, 6:14 AM

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine has seen his snap share spike the last two weeks since the Tyreek Hill (knee) injury, but he has turned in no fantasy production as a result. As the Dolphins face the Browns this week, NWI will look to get involved in the offense after totaling just one catch over the last four weeks. Westbrook-Ikhine has become the team's third receiver over the last two weeks, playing 71% of snaps against the Panthers and 63% of the snaps against the Chargers. However, he has just one target and no catches despite being on the field for 76 plays. He has the potential to contribute since he's getting playing time, but the fact that Tua Tagovailoa doesn't throw the ball his way keeps him well off the fantasy radar this week in Cleveland, where he is the WR86 in RotoBaller's Week 7 rankings.