Who Should I Start? Jacob Cowing or Efton Chism III

Monday, January 5, 7:45 PM

The San Francisco 49ers will open the 21-day practice window for wide receiver Jacob Cowing (hamstring) this week, according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area. Cowing will practice with the team on Wednesday, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. The 24-year-old is getting closer to returning from Injured Reserve, but he could still be unlikely to be activated to play in the Wild-Card playoff game this Sunday against the hosting Philadelphia Eagles. If Cowing does end up playing against the Eagles, he will most likely only have a role on special teams after missing the entire 2025 regular season. The former fourth-round selection in 2024 out of Arizona caught four of his six targets for 80 yards in 15 games last year in his first season in the NFL. Cowing will be a long shot to surface as an option in playoff fantasy formats.

Sunday, October 26, 11:49 AM

New England Patriots wide receiver Efton Chism III (coach's decision) is a healthy scratch for Sunday's Week 8 contest against the Cleveland Browns. Chism was inactive for the first five games this season, but the rookie debuted in Week 6. He has logged offensive snaps in each of the last two contests. He has not yet been targeted in the passing game, but he does have seven kick returns. The 24-year-old undrafted free agent could remain a healthy scratch until another wide receiver suffers an injury.