Who Should I Start? Derek Carr or Brandon Aiyuk

Saturday, December 21, 4:37 PM

New Orleans quarterback Spencer Rattler will start in place of injured starter Derek Carr (hand). Carr did not progress enough during the week to get back to active status for the Week 16 game at Green Bay on Monday night. Rattler spelled Jake Haener last week after Haener earned the start against Washington in Carr's absence. Rattler was much more effective with 135 passing yards and a touchdown in relief and Haener will serve as the backup on Monday night. Rattler has completed 69 of 120 passes for 706 yards with two passing touchdowns and two interceptions this season. The matchup at Green Bay will be a tough one in frigid weather against a very solid pass defense in the Packers. Look for other fantasy options than Rattler at the position.

Friday, November 15, 7:10 PM

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) had surgery on his right knee earlier this week to fix a torn ACL and other damage. In addition to tearing his ACL, Aiyuk also tore his MCL in the Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and will miss the rest of the season. He should have already been dropped in single-season fantasy leagues. It remains to be seen if the 26-year-old will make enough progress in his rehab in the offseason in order to be ready to play in Week 1 of the 2025 regular season next fall. For the rest of 2024, receivers Deebo Samuel Sr. and Jauan Jennings and tight end George Kittle should be the most-targeted pass-catchers, with rookie first-rounder Ricky Pearsall also seeing an expanded role in the passing attack. Aiyuk was an absolute fantasy bust this year, finishing with 25 catches for 374 yards and no touchdowns in seven games.