Who Should I Start? Christian Kirk or Malachi Fields
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.8 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 1.8 | 21.5 | 0.1 |
Christian Kirk News
Friday, August 14, 9:46 AM
San Francisco 49ers veteran wide receiver Christian Kirk (calf) did not play in the team's preseason opener on Thursday night against the Tennessee Titans, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. Veteran Mike Evans (quadriceps) was also held out as a precaution. Both Kirk and Evans have missed practice recently in training camp with what are considered minor injuries, but they may both be cleared to play in the second preseason tilt next Thursday, Aug. 20, against the Los Angeles Chargers on the road. The 29-year-old was brought in this offseason to bolster San Fran's receiving corps out of the slot. Ricky Pearsall (knee) has already been knocked out for the entire 2026 campaign, but the team's recent addition of Deebo Samuel Sr. has been bad news for Kirk's potential upside in his first year in the Bay Area. Kirk had only 28 catches on 52 targets for 239 yards and one touchdown in 13 regular-season games for the Houston Texans a year ago, and he continues to be hampered by injuries. Fantasy managers in 12-team leagues will be ignoring Kirk on draft day.
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 1.3 | 15.8 | 0.1 |
Malachi Fields News
Thursday, August 20, 6:59 PM
New York Giants rookie wide receiver Malachi Fields impressed in Thursday's joint practice session with the Miami Dolphins and "continues to put together his case for the (team's) No. 2 receiver role," per Charlotte Carroll of The Athletic. The 74th overall pick in this past April's draft, Fields recorded 36 catches for 630 yards and five touchdowns across 12 games at Notre Dame in 2025. Once healthy, New York has a clear WR1 in star wideout Malik Nabers (knee). However, Nabers' status for Week 1 remains uncertain as he works his way back from the serious knee injury that ended his 2025 campaign. Outside of Nabers, Fields' competition for targets and playing time in New York is an uninspiring group of veterans that includes Darnell Mooney, Calvin Austin III, Darius Slayton, Braxton Berrios, and Odell Beckham Jr. If the rookie can continue to impress throughout the remainder of the preseason, he could be in line for a significant role in the Giants' offense right away. Fantasy managers may want to consider targeting Fields as a late-round sleeper entering 2026.
Christian Kirk vs. Malachi Fields
Still trying to decide between Kirk and Fields? 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 4.8 points this week while Malachi Fields is projected to score 3.5 points.
Latest Fantasy News
