Who Should I Start? Michael Thomas or Christian Watson

Wednesday, September 11, 8:40 PM

The National Football League on Wednesday announced that it has lifted the suspension of free-agent wide receiver Michael Thomas. Thomas was suspended for the first game of the 2024 NFL season for an incident with a construction worker near his home last year. The fact that the 31-year-old remained without a team all offseason is a sign that he may struggle to latch on with an organization despite the fact that he's past his one-game suspension. Just several years ago, Thomas was the best receiver in the league, but injuries have limited him to 20 games since the start of the 2020 campaign, and he played in just 10 games with the New Orleans Saints last year before a knee injury ended his season. He caught 39 passes for 448 yards and one touchdown in 2023. Thomas belongs on the waiver wire in all leagues and is unlikely to be on the fantasy radar in 2024.

Monday, September 15, 5:35 PM

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (knee) said he anticipates returning to practice when his window opens up, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. Watson will be on the Physically Unable to Perform list through Week 4 after tearing his right ACL in the Week 18 regular-season finale last year. With Green Bay's bye coming in Week 5, he may be ready to make his 2025 debut in Week 6, when the team hosts the Cincinnati Bengals at Lambeau Field. The 26-year-old probably won't be ready by Week 6, but reports this summer suggested he was making excellent progress in his recovery. Fellow wideout Jayden Reed (collarbone) is currently out six to eight weeks, so Watson could have a substantial role in the passing attack sooner than later when he returns. Mostly a deep threat, fantasy managers should consider stashing him in an IR spot if he's available on the waiver wire.