Who Should I Start? Jacob Cowing or Konata Mumpfield

Wednesday, August 27, 10:59 PM

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jacob Cowing (hamstring) was placed on the Injured Reserve list on Wednesday, guaranteeing that he will miss at least the first four games of the season. Cowing was battling a hamstring injury for most of training camp and suffered a major setback while trying to return for the team's final preseason game. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan provided a six-week return timeline for Cowing, making his IR placement an easy decision. The 24-year-old would have had a chance to make an early-season impact had he been able to stay healthy, as the 49ers' wide receiver room has been besieged by injuries behind WR1 Ricky Pearsall. With the delayed start, Cowing should be off the radar of fantasy managers for the time being. However, he could be an under-the-radar midseason pickup, depending on the status of currently sidelined 49ers wideouts Brandon Aiyuk (knee) and Jauan Jennings (calf).

Sunday, December 28, 10:33 PM

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Konata Mumpfield is expected to remain in a larger role during Monday Night Football against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 17. Mumpfield stepped up as the No. 2 receiver alongside Puka Nacua last week when Davante Adams (hamstring) was sidelined. Adams remains doubtful for Week 17, leaving Mumpfield in line to start alongside Nacua. In the loss to Seattle, the 23-year-old commanded eight targets but finished with a modest total of three catches for 40 yards. That was enough to put him on the WR3/flex radar in deep leagues, but he could have produced at an even higher level if he had caught more of his targets. Perhaps he'll make that leap on Monday night in a softer matchup against the Falcons, who have allowed the fourth-most receiving touchdowns and ninth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers in 2025. Mumpfield's floor is pretty low, but he has top-36 wide receiver upside on Monday night if he can catch more passes than last week.