Who Should I Start? Brandon Aiyuk or Trey Sermon

Friday, October 24, 5:31 PM

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that the team could open wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk's (knee) 21-day practice window next week, according to David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard. Even if Aiyuk doesn't resume practicing next week, the team is in "week-to-week mode now" in terms of when they will designate him to return from the Physically Unable to Perform list. The 27-year-old has been out all year as he recovers from a devastating right-knee injury that he suffered in Week 7 of 2024. He is getting close to rejoining the team on the practice field, but Aiyuk's return to game action on Sundays may still be a ways off. The former first-rounder is worth stashing in all fantasy leagues, but expectations must be tempered as the Niners continue to slow-play his return. Jauan Jennings and Kendrick Bourne will serve as the top receivers for San Fran again in Week 8, with Ricky Pearsall (knee) missing a fourth straight game.

Saturday, September 27, 11:25 AM

The Pittsburgh Steelers are elevating running back Trey Sermon for Week 4's matchup against the Vikings in Dublin. Sermon was also active in Week 3, when the Steelers carried four running backs against New England, but he was limited to return duties after rookie Kaleb Johnson's Week 2 miscue. With Jaylen Warren (knee) questionable, the Steelers may want additional depth in the backfield, though reports suggest Warren is trending toward playing. That leaves Sermon without a meaningful role on offense. For fantasy purposes, Sermon carries no value in Week 4, though he could contribute in the return game along with backup running back Kenneth Gainwell.