Who Should I Start? Deebo Samuel or Demario Douglas

Monday, October 21, 7:20 PM

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Monday that wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (illness) was sent to the hospital with fluid in his lungs and was diagnosed with pneumonia. Samuel played just four offensive snaps before leaving the Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and never returning on Sunday, and Shanahan said there's no timetable for the 28-year-old's return, meaning he could miss the Week 8 contest against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night. Meanwhile, Brandon Aiyuk tore his right ACL and MCL on Sunday and is out for the rest of the season. Jauan Jennings (hip) missed the Week 7 game, but he's expected to return this Sunday and could be quarterback Brock Purdy's WR1 if Samuel is out. Rookies Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing and Ronnie Bell could also be thrust into bigger roles moving forward, pending the health of Samuel.

Sunday, October 20, 6:54 PM

New England Patriots wide receiver Demario Douglas caught two of three targets for 14 yards during Sunday's Week 7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 23-year-old was very involved on the opening drive, but his productivity dwindled as the game progressed. He missed nearly a quarter while battling symptoms of an illness, and although he did check back into the game in the second half, he did not catch a pass after returning to the field. Douglas is a candidate to bounce back in Week 7 assuming he's able to shake the symptoms of his illness. He caught six passes for 92 yards and one touchdown in Week 6 with Drake Maye under center, and managers are anxious for him to replicate that stat line with the No. 3 pick playing quite well. Douglas ranks as a low-end WR3/FLEX option heading into next Sunday's divisional contest.