Who Should I Start? Brandon Aiyuk or Quentin Johnston

Wednesday, November 26, 3:44 PM

The San Francisco 49ers will not open the 21-day practice window for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) this week, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. The same goes for fellow wideout Jacob Cowing (hamstring). A report surfaced last week that the 49ers voided guarantees in Aiyuk's four-year contract extension, which could lead to the 27-year-old former first-rounder sitting out the entire 2025 campaign. If that happens, the 49ers would likely release him at season's end. Fantasy managers who have been stashing Aiyuk all season long might not get to use him at all. It's good news for the rest-of-season outlooks for both Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall, as well as tight end George Kittle. Aiyuk has been recovering from his season-ending injury last year, in which he tore both his ACL and MCL.

Friday, November 28, 5:55 PM

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston enters Week 13 after posting his second game with zero receptions in four weeks, failing to catch any of his three targets against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Johnston's production depends heavily on deep targets and red-zone opportunities, but the team's severely injured offensive line has caused quarterback Justin Herbert to average only 4.7 and 3.8 air yards per attempt in the last two games, heavily limiting the downfield opportunities Johnston needs. He will face a Las Vegas Raiders defense that mainly plays zone coverage, a scheme that doesn't favor Johnston's stronger performances against man coverage. With Keenan Allen and Ladd McConkey commanding target shares, and rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden now handling short-yardage roles, Johnston is likely the odd man out. He remains a boom-or-bust WR4, with a high reliance on touchdowns going forward.