Who Should I Start? Kendrick Bourne or Calvin Ridley

Friday, January 9, 9:29 AM

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne recorded 37 receptions for 551 yards (14.89 YPC) and zero touchdowns on 53 targets in 16 games in 2025. The majority of Bourne's production came in early October, when he stepped in as the team's main pass-catcher, with George Kittle, Jauan Jennings, and Ricky Pearsall (knee, ankle) all ruled out for a brief time. Bourne's role faded as the team continued to get healthy; however, should Pearsall miss Sunday's contest against the Philadelphia Eagles, Bourne could find himself playing more often and would likely be elevated to the team's No. 2 wide receiver alongside Jennings. Additionally, according to Novig, the Niners are underdogs (+4.5) and should be in a game flow that favors a pass-happy approach, which would result in more target opportunities for Bourne should he get more playing time. Demarcus Robinson would likely be operating more in three-wide receiver sets. Pending Pearsall's availability, Bourne would be a bit of a dart throw in fantasy playoff leagues, but would be worth a roster as a long-shot option.

Tuesday, November 18, 6:35 PM

The Tennessee Titans officially placed wide receiver Calvin Ridley (leg) on season-ending Injured Reserve on Tuesday and signed receiver James Proche II to the active 53-man roster in a corresponding move, according to Jim Wyatt of the team's website. Ridley broke his fibula in Sunday's loss to the Houston Texans and will miss the rest of 2025. In addition to Ridley's injury, rookie wideouts Chimere Dike (chest) and Elic Ayomanor (hamstring) were injured in Week 11 and did not return. It means the Titans' WR corps could be dangerously thin for their Week 12 tilt against the visiting Seattle Seahawks. If Dike and Ayomanor are both unable to play this weekend, it would mean much larger roles for veteran Van Jefferson and Mason Kinsey in the passing game, with tight ends Chig Okonkwo and Gunnar Helm also seeing target boosts.