Who Should I Start? Jakobi Meyers or Ricky Pearsall

Wednesday, October 23, 3:26 PM

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce said that wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (ankle), who has missed the last two games due to an ankle injury, will return to practice on Wednesday. Meyers will likely be limited as he returns to practice, but it's improvement and could allow him to return to the field on game day this Sunday against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8. If the 27-year-old is able to get the green light to return this weekend, he'll most likely operate as the WR1 for quarterback Gardner Minshew II, who will be taking over the starting role under center again now that Aidan O'Connell (thumb) is on Injured Reserve. Although the Raiders could be forced to throw plenty against KC, Meyers will be a shaky WR4/flex in deeper fantasy leagues, at best, if he plays in Week 8. In five games in 2024, he has 25 catches (36 targets) for 273 yards and a touchdown.

Monday, October 21, 12:12 AM

San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall made his NFL debut in a 28-18 home loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 7. The Arizona native came into the game as the assumed third option for quarterback Brock Purdy with Jauan Jennings (hip) ruled out, but inherited even more snaps after Brandon Aiyuk (knee) and Deebo Samuel (illness) left during the game. Pearsall missed the first six weeks of the season due to a gunshot wound and received a standing ovation from the home crowd after his first catch. He finished with three receptions on five targets for 21 yards. If Aiyuk has torn his ACL as feared, Pearsall will be worth a look on waivers, although the situation is muddied by the probable return of Jennings in Week 8, not to mention fellow rookie Jacob Cowing having a few games more experience and a more impactful performance today. Pearsall is the better bet long-term though, as San Francisco waited until the fourth round to take Cowing after taking Pearsall in the first. The 49ers get the Dallas Cowboys at home on Sunday Night Football in Week 8.