Who Should I Start? Jameson Williams or Ricky Pearsall

Saturday, January 3, 3:14 PM

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams put up a disappointing 37 yards in a Week 17 loss to the Vikings, but any managers who survived that outing and are still playing for a Week 18 championship can start him with confidence in another divisional matchup with the Bears. Chicago has allowed more fantasy points above expectation to the receiver position than every team except the Cowboys, and Williams could find himself as the focal point of the Lions' passing offense on Sunday. Amon-Ra St. Brown (knee, ankle) was clearly banged up near the end of that loss in Minnesota, and he carries a questionable tag into the season finale. With nothing left to play for, it would come as no surprise for Detroit to rest its two-time All-Pro, clearing a path for Williams to get back on track after two subpar performances. Williams is RotoBaller's WR9 for the week.

Thursday, January 8, 5:08 PM

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee, ankle) was seen on a side field during Thursday's practice, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. Pearsall is going to go down as a non-participant in practice for the second straight day, which doesn't bode well for his availability on Sunday in the Wild-Card playoff game on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles. The 25-year-old missed six games earlier this year due to a PCL sprain in his right knee, and he aggravated the injury in Week 17. The former first-rounder did not play in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Seattle Seahawks last Saturday and is on the wrong side of questionable to be active for the first round of the playoffs. If Pearsall misses Sunday's game, Jauan Jennings, Demarcus Robinson, and Kendrick Bourne could all see more targets in the passing game in a tough matchup against Philly's defense.