Who Should I Start? Ricky Pearsall or Tetairoa McMillan

Thursday, October 16, 4:55 PM

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) missed practice for the second straight day on Thursday, per Matt Barrows of The Athletic. Pearsall has been sidelined since Week 4 due to a knee sprain, and he appears to be at risk of being inactive again in Week 7 when the 49ers take on the Atlanta Falcons. Pearsall has recorded 20 catches for 327 yards on 29 targets across four games so far this season. If he remains out, 49ers wideout Kendrick Bourne could be in for another week as the focal point of the team's passing game. San Francisco could be getting star tight end George Kittle (hamstring) back off of Injured Reserve in Week 7 as well. Should Pearsall return against Atlanta, he would profile as a low-end WR3/flex option. However, fantasy managers should likely count on him being sidelined for a third straight week.

Sunday, October 12, 11:12 PM

Ironically, Carolina Panthers rookie first-round wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan had a season-low 29 receiving yards on just three receptions in the 30-27 win over the visiting Dallas Cowboys in Week 6 on Sunday, but he made up for it by finding paydirt for the first two times in his NFL career. McMillan was targeted five times by quarterback Bryce Young, which tied for the team lead with running back Rico Dowdle. The 22-year-old from Arizona scored from 19 and two yards out, respectively, to salvage his fantasy day. Fantasy managers shouldn't be too concerned with his low-yardage output against Dallas, as it's been clear that McMillan will lead the Panthers in yards, catches, and targets when all is said and done in 2025, as long as he stays healthy. He has a tough matchup upcoming against cornerback Sauce Gardner and the New York Jets in Week 7, but McMillan needs to remain in all starting fantasy lineups.