Who Should I Start? Marquez Valdes-Scantling or Brandon Aiyuk

Monday, December 15, 11:54 AM

The Pittsburgh Steelers are signing veteran wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling to the active roster ahead of their matchup on Monday Night Football with the visiting Miami Dolphins. Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported the news. Pittsburgh intended to elevate the 31-year-old from its practice squad for their meeting with Miami, but will instead choose to make him a fixture on their roster for the remainder of the season. Valdes-Scantling made his first appearance with the team in Week 14, playing 31% of snaps and failing to bring in his lone target. He doesn't figure to be involved enough to matter for fantasy, and can likely be avoided in all formats.

Thursday, December 18, 4:18 PM

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) has been "extremely distant" from the team since suffering a season-ending knee injury in Week 7 of the 2024 season, per Matt Barrows of The Athletic. The 27-year-old has not played a game since that point. The 49ers voided guarantees in his contract for 2026 and placed him on the reserve/left squad list on Saturday, officially ending his 2025 season. All signs seem to indicate that Aiyuk and the 49ers are likely to go their separate ways this offseason. In his last fully healthy season in 2023, Aiyuk recorded 75 receptions for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns on 105 targets. He has a chance to get back to his superstar heights if he can get fully healthy and find the right team. However, his health and the way his current situation in San Francisco has unfolded may bring about question marks for dynasty league fantasy managers.