Who Should I Start? Jordan Whittington or Luther Burden III

Thursday, December 18, 1:22 AM

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Jordan Whittington could earn more targets during Thursday's Week 16 contest against the Seattle Seahawks with Davante Adams (hamstring) not expected to play. Los Angeles has shown an inconsistent pecking order behind Adams and Puka Nacua this year, with players like Whittington, Xavier Smith, Tutu Atwell, and Konata Mumpfield all getting different opportunities to produce. With that said, Whittington is the early favorite to step up as the No. 2 receiver alongside Nacua this week. He had two games with a snap share of at least 80% before the Rams' Week 6 bye, and he also commanded four targets in the game that Nacua missed earlier in the year. His role has dwindled lately, and his usage fell all the way down to a 6% snap share last week (partly due to injury). However, he is still one of the more established and dependable receivers on the depth chart, and he should get the first crack at earning Adams' vacated targets. With that said, he'll be going up against a strong Seahawks defense that has allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers in 2025. Between his non-guaranteed role and a challenging matchup, Whittington isn't a dependable fantasy option in most leagues for Week 16.

Thursday, December 18, 3:12 PM

Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III (ankle) has officially been ruled out for Saturday's divisional matchup against the Green Bay Packers. The rookie second-rounder was unable to practice this week and will be forced to miss his second game of the season with an ankle injury. The Bears will be short-handed at receiver for a critical Week 16 game, with Rome Odunze (foot) ruled out for the third straight week as he manages a stress fracture in his foot. Burden was surging in Odunze's absence, posting his two highest yardage totals since his 101-yard performance in Week 3. He led the Bears in receiving in both games, hauling in four of six targets for 67 yards in Week 14 versus the Packers, and six of seven targets for 84 yards last week against the Browns. DJ Moore, Olamide Zaccheaus, and Devin Duvernay will likely see the bulk of the snaps at wide receiver, with rookie tight end Colston Loveland also in line for more targets on Saturday.