Who Should I Start? Brandon Aiyuk or Rome Odunze

Tuesday, December 2, 11:37 AM

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said he is "not sure" but "hopeful" when asked if it's realistic to expect wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) to take the field in 2025, per David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard. Aiyuk tore multiple ligaments in his knee in Week 7 of the 2024 season and has yet to play in a game since. Aiyuk was one of the most efficient wide receivers in the NFL in the last full season he played back in 2023, recording 75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns on 105 targets. However, it appears as though he may not be healthy until 2026. Aiyuk also may be locked into a contract stand-off with the team, as the 49ers reportedly voided guarantees in his current contract. Between the injury and the contractual issues, fantasy managers should likely proceed as though Aiyuk will not play a fantasy-relevant role in 2025.

Friday, December 12, 2:53 PM

Chicago Bears second-year wide receiver Rome Odunze (foot) is officially questionable for Sunday's matchup with the Browns after logging a week of limited practices. Odunze missed the team's Week 14 loss to the Packers with a foot injury that initially had him labeled as week-to-week. He was unable to practice in any fashion leading up to that contest, so the upgrade to limited participation is at least a step in the right direction. Odunze started his sophomore campaign with a bang, scoring five touchdowns in his first four games, but he has found the endzone only once more since then. The Bears' passing offense as a whole has been inconsistent for most of the year, and with a fantasy playoff schedule that includes the Browns and Packers, relying on an obviously banged-up Odunze may be too tall a task for most fantasy managers, even if he is able to suit up this week.