Who Should I Start? Ja'Lynn Polk or Roman Wilson

Friday, January 3, 6:55 PM

New England Patriots rookie wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk (shoulder) did not practice at all this week and has been ruled out for the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Buffalo Bills. Meanwhile, fellow wideout Kayshon Boutte (illness) was cleared to play. The 22-year-old Polk will finish off what has been a bad rookie season early due to a shoulder injury. The second-round selection just never had much of a chance to excel in 2024 in a bad offense with rookie quarterback Drake Maye struggling to find his footing with limited weapons around him. Polk will finish his first year in the NFL with only 12 catches on 33 targets for 87 yards and two touchdowns in 15 games (seven starts). The Patriots will surely look to bring in upgraded receiving options this offseason, giving Polk and others even more competition.

Thursday, January 9, 5:46 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers rookie wide receiver Roman Wilson (hamstring), who remains on the Physically Unable to Perform list, was officially ruled out on Thursday for the team's wild-card playoff game on Saturday night against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens. Wilson has been practicing in full with the rest of the team since he was designated to return from the PUP list, but the Steelers are going to play it safe and keep the 23-year-old third-rounder out this weekend. It's unclear if Wilson will be activated to play if the Steelers advance past the Ravens to play in the Divisional Round next week. Wilson has been active for 10 games in his first year in the NFL but hasn't been targeted at all. Pittsburgh will move forward with George Pickens, Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin III as their wideouts in three-wide sets against Baltimore.