Who Should I Start? Kendrick Bourne or Xavier Hutchinson

Tuesday, September 16, 11:41 AM

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne operated as the team's No. 3 receiver in Week 2, just five days after signing with the team. In San Francisco's 26-21 win over New Orleans, Bourne caught all three of his targets for 32 receiving yards. His production expectedly lagged behind Jauan Jennings (ankle) and Ricky Pearsall, but he outsnapped Marques Valdez-Scantling 33 to eight. This is Bourne's second stint with the 49ers, the team that signed him as a rookie in 2017. After hitting free agency in 2021, Bourne signed with the Patriots and spent three years there with Mac Jones as his quarterback. Jones is under center for San Francisco while Brock Purdy (toe/shoulder) recovers from multiple injuries. With Jennings now nursing an ankle injury sustained on Sunday, Bourne may have added relevance in the 49ers' Week 3 appointment with the Arizona Cardinals.

Sunday, September 14, 6:57 AM

Houston Texans wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson is once again lined up for an expanded role in Week 2, since Christian Kirk (hamstring) will miss a second straight game when the Texans host the Buccaneers on Monday Night Football. Among the team's wide receivers, Hutchinson ranked second in snaps played and in receiving yards in Week 1, totaling 30 yards on two catches while playing 68% of snaps. He also got a rushing opportunity and added five rushing yards. The Texans' offense couldn't get rolling in Week 1 against the Rams, but they'll work for better results this week against the Bucs. Hutchinson is invovled enough that he could have upside if C.J. Stroud can turn things around going forward. He's a long-shot play to avoid this week, though, since he's ranked as the WR90 in the RotoBaller rankings.