Who Should I Start? Chris Godwin or Ricky Pearsall

Wednesday, October 22, 1:13 PM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said on Wednesday that wide receiver Chris Godwin (leg) will not be back this Sunday to take on the division-rival New Orleans Saints in Week 8, according to FOX Sports' Greg Auman. Godwin got a late start to the 2025 campaign while recovering from a season-ending dislocated ankle that he suffered in Week 7 of last year, and then suffered a fibula injury that will now keep him out for a third straight game. In addition to Godwin's injury, Tampa lost future Hall of Fame wideout Mike Evans (collarbone) for most of the rest of the season when he fractured his clavicle in Monday night's loss to the Lions. Fantasy managers who have been stashing Godwin will be keeping their fingers crossed that he'll be able to return after next week's bye to take on the New England Patriots in Week 10. With Evans now potentially out the rest of the year, Godwin figures to be heavily involved in the passing attack next to rookie first-rounder Emeka Egbuka whenever he returns.

Monday, November 3, 7:15 PM

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Monday that wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) has a "chance to play" in the Week 10 divisional tilt against the Los Angeles Rams, but he will be evaluated during the week, per Matt Barrows of The Athletic. Pearsall has not practiced or played since suffering a PCL sprain in his knee back in the Week 4 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 25-year-old is going to have to get back onto the practice field first, so he'll once again be very questionable to make his return this weekend. And if the former first-rounder does play against the Rams, he'll be a shaky WR4/flex for fantasy managers who is at risk of having his snaps monitored. If Pearsall misses yet another game, the Niners will move forward with Jauan Jennings, Kendrick Bourne, and Demarcus Robinson as their top three wideouts.