Who Should I Start? Noah Brown or Brandon Aiyuk

Monday, November 24, 3:30 PM

The Washington Commanders announced on Monday that they opened the 21-day practice window for wide receiver Noah Brown (groin, knee). Brown hasn't played since Week 2, but he's now eligible to officially be activated from Injured Reserve. Whether the 29-year-old is cleared to play on Sunday Night Football against the Denver Broncos in Week 13 will depend on how much he's able to do in practice this week. There is an opportunity in Washington's receiving corps with Luke McCaffrey (collarbone) on IR and with Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) not having played since Week 8. However, it could still take Brown another several weeks to work himself back into game shape after his long layoff. Before his injuries, the former seventh-round pick had caught just three passes for 36 yards and no touchdowns in two games. Fantasy managers in 12-team leagues can continue to ignore Brown for the time being.

Wednesday, November 26, 3:44 PM

The San Francisco 49ers will not open the 21-day practice window for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) this week, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. The same goes for fellow wideout Jacob Cowing (hamstring). A report surfaced last week that the 49ers voided guarantees in Aiyuk's four-year contract extension, which could lead to the 27-year-old former first-rounder sitting out the entire 2025 campaign. If that happens, the 49ers would likely release him at season's end. Fantasy managers who have been stashing Aiyuk all season long might not get to use him at all. It's good news for the rest-of-season outlooks for both Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall, as well as tight end George Kittle. Aiyuk has been recovering from his season-ending injury last year, in which he tore both his ACL and MCL.