Who Should I Start? Noah Brown or Brandon Aiyuk

Friday, September 26, 3:06 PM

Washington Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown (groin, knee) has officially been ruled out for Week 4 against the Atlanta Falcons. Brown has managed to play in just two games so far in 2025, recording three catches for 36 yards on seven targets. With both Brown and star Commanders wideout Terry McLaurin (quad) sidelined in Week 4, Washington will turn to Deebo Samuel Sr., Jaylin Lane, Luke McCaffrey, and Chris Moore to anchor its wide receiver corps. Even with Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (knee) also ruled out, Samuel Sr. profiles as a must-start fantasy wide receiver in Week 4 due to his massive target upside. Brown should remain off the radar of fantasy managers.

Thursday, September 25, 12:43 PM

The Athletic's David Lombardi reports that it doesn't look like Week 6 is a realistic date to expect wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) to return from the Physically Unable to Perform list based on general manager John Lynch's recent comments. Aiyuk did not suffer a "clean" ACL tear -- he also had damage to his MCL -- in Week 7 of last year, hence a longer recovery. However, Lombardi added that Aiyuk hasn't had any setbacks during his recovery, and he's been seen sprinting at practices. Lynch said that the 27-year-old wideout is "not close" to coming off the PUP list in 2025. Fantasy managers who are stashing the former first-rounder are going to need to stay patient. In the meantime, receivers Jauan Jennings (ankle) and Ricky Pearsall (knee) will remain the top pass-catchers for the banged-up Niners with tight end George Kittle (hamstring) out.