Who Should I Start? Christian Kirk or Josh Downs


Week 9 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Christian Kirk News

Christian Kirk Placed on Injured Reserve with Knee Injury

Saturday, November 7, 1:58 PM

The San Francisco 49ers have placed wide receiver Christian Kirk (knee) on injured reserve ahead of Sunday's Week 9 contest against the Las Vegas Raiders, according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports. He will now miss at least four games. Kirk's roster spot will go to wide receiver Demarcus Robinson, who was activated from IR on Saturday. The bad injury news continues for the Niners, who enter this week without receivers Mike Evans (Achilles), Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring), De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle), and Kirk. This is Kirk's second time on injured reserve during the first half of the 2026 season. He missed the first six games of the year with a calf injury, returned to catch zero passes in his season debut in Week 7, was on a bye in Week 8, and is now back on the shelf ahead of Week 9. It's worth noting that this is a different injury than what he dealt with before, as head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed that the veteran receiver is now battling a meniscus issue. Robinson and Brandin Cooks are expected as the Niners' top wide receivers in Week 9, but quarterback Brock Purdy's favorite target will presumably be tight end George Kittle.


Week 9 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
10.4 0.7 0.0 3.9 47.1 0.3

Josh Downs News

Josh Downs a WR4 Despite Favorable Home Matchup Against Cowboys

Saturday, November 7, 12:45 PM

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs drew five targets in Week 8, and although he caught four of them, it amounted to just 23 receiving yards. On the bright side, the UNC product hauled in his first touchdown catch of the season, but at 5-foot-9, he's not a big end zone target, so it remains to be seen if he can continue that trend consistently going forward. The former third-rounder has never caught more than five touchdowns in a single season, however, this week's matchup with the Cowboys is one of the more favorable around, so he certainly has a shot to score in back-to-back weeks. Averaging under four catches and 42 yards per game, the 25-year-old has a low floor and a low ceiling, making him a solid but unexciting WR4/Flex play this week, with slight upside given the forgiving defense he'll be going up against.


Christian Kirk vs. Josh Downs

Still trying to decide between Kirk and Downs? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Christian Kirk is projected to score 0.0 points this week while Josh Downs is projected to score 10.4 points.