Who Should I Start? Noah Brown or Brandon Aiyuk

Wednesday, October 15, 12:48 PM

The Washington Commanders announced on Wednesday that they placed wide receiver Noah Brown (groin, knee) on Injured Reserve. After already missing the team's last four games with groin and knee injuries, Brown will now be forced to miss at least four more games and will not be eligible to return until the Week 11 game on Sunday, Nov. 11, against the Miami Dolphins. Washington has also been without top wideout Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) for the last several games, leading to Deebo Samuel Sr. getting more work in the offense. With Brown now out for at least another four contests, it means that Luke McCaffrey and rookie Jaylin Lane should have a clear path to more playing time for the foreseeable future, at least until McLaurin is able to return. Brown, 29, caught three of seven targets for 36 yards and no touchdowns in the first two games of 2025 before getting hurt.

Tuesday, October 14, 3:21 PM

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Monday that wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) is getting "closer and closer" to returning to practice following his ACL and MCL tears in his right knee in Week 7 of last year. While the Niners aren't giving any specific date for a potential return to the practice field for Aiyuk, Shanahan mentioned Week 10 as a rough estimate, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. Despite the Niners also dealing with injuries to receivers Jauan Jennings (ribs) and Ricky Pearsall and tight end George Kittle (hamstring), Aiyuk isn't going to be rushed back. And even if Aiyuk does return to practice ahead of the team's Week 10 game against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams, it doesn't mean the former first-rounder would be active for his season debut that week. Once Aiyuk's practice window is open, the 49ers will have 21 days to officially activate him from the Physically Unable to Perform list. Fantasy managers who are stashing Aiyuk must remain patient.