Who Should I Start? Marquez Valdes-Scantling or Alec Pierce

Saturday, September 13, 3:22 AM

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling saw zero targets on 15 routes run in Week 1. With George Kittle (hamstring) now on injured reserve and Jauan Jennings (shoulder) tagged as questionable for San Francisco's Week 2 matchup against the Saints, it is possible that Valdes-Scantling plays a bigger role on Sunday. Unfortunately, Brock Purdy (toe, shoulder) has been ruled out so it will be Mac Jones under center, limiting Valdes-Scantling's upside even if he does see more playing time. MVS does have the ability to stretch the field but Jones' career completion rate on passes of 20 or more air yards is a mere 30%, effectively negating that threat. If it were Purdy running the show, Valdes-Scantling would have more potential but as it is, he has little viability in Week 2.

Friday, October 10, 1:46 PM

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that wide receiver Alec Pierce (concussion) will play in Week 6 on Sunday against the visiting Arizona Cardinals after clearing the league's concussion protocol this week, according to Stephen Holder of ESPN. Pierce missed the team's last two games as a result of his head injury that he suffered in Week 3. The 25-year-old looked like he was close to playing in Week 5, but he was eventually ruled out after suffering a setback last Friday. With Pierce back in the fold, Adonai Mitchell could be on his way to being a healthy scratch after seeing his role dramatically reduced last Sunday following two crucial mistakes in the Week 4 loss. Pierce should settle back in as a top-three wideout for the Colts alongside Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs. Before his injury, the former second-rounder had caught nine passes for 171 yards and no touchdowns in three games.