Who Should I Start? Chris Godwin Jr. or Ricky Pearsall

Saturday, January 3, 12:21 PM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. has battled injury and inefficiency for much of the 2025 season. However, the 29-year-old had a breakout performance in Week 17, recording seven receptions for 108 yards and a touchdown on eight targets against the Miami Dolphins. Godwin Jr. also led all Buccaneers wide receivers in snap share, playing 79% of his team's offensive snaps. In Week 18, Tampa Bay will face the Carolina Panthers. Carolina has been a solid pass defense so far this season, ranking 11th in the NFL in total passing yards allowed (3,454) and ninth in passing touchdowns allowed (19). Still, Godwin Jr. should have his chances to produce. Over his last four games played, Godwin Jr. is averaging just under seven targets per contest. Given the likely target opportunity and his encouraging performance last week, Godwin Jr. profiles as a low-end fantasy WR2 in Week 18.

Thursday, January 8, 5:08 PM

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee, ankle) was seen on a side field during Thursday's practice, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. Pearsall is going to go down as a non-participant in practice for the second straight day, which doesn't bode well for his availability on Sunday in the Wild-Card playoff game on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles. The 25-year-old missed six games earlier this year due to a PCL sprain in his right knee, and he aggravated the injury in Week 17. The former first-rounder did not play in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Seattle Seahawks last Saturday and is on the wrong side of questionable to be active for the first round of the playoffs. If Pearsall misses Sunday's game, Jauan Jennings, Demarcus Robinson, and Kendrick Bourne could all see more targets in the passing game in a tough matchup against Philly's defense.