Who Should I Start? Christian Kirk or Malik Nabers


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

Christian Kirk Rested During Preseason Opener

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
12.1 0.5 0.0 4.3 56.7 0.3

Malik Nabers News

Malik Nabers Leaves Practice Early, Not Injury-Related

Wednesday, August 26, 1:33 PM

The Athletic's Dan Duggan reported on Wednesday that New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers walked off with a trainer with 20 minutes left in training camp practice after having a full workload. Head coach John Harbaugh was unaware when first asked about Nabers leaving early and said that it "wasn't part of the plan," before later stating that "there's no injury." The 23-year-old former sixth overall pick from LSU tore his right ACL and meniscus and was limited to only four games in his sophomore season in 2025, and Nabers was just recently cleared to shed his non-contact jersey in training camp practices. Nabers is nearing the final stages of his recovery from his season-ending knee injury last year, and barring a setback before now and the Sept. 13 regular-season opener, he should be ready to face the division-rival Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football. Nabers could be eased in early in the 2026 season, but his continued improvement in his rehab has made him a more palatable low-end WR1 selection in fantasy football drafts.


Christian Kirk vs. Malik Nabers

Still trying to decide between Kirk and Nabers? 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 Malik Nabers is projected to score 12.1 points.