Who Should I Start? Russell Gage Jr. or Christian Watson

Saturday, September 6, 4:32 PM

The San Francisco 49ers have elevated veteran wide receiver Russell Gage Jr. from the practice squad, meaning he will see his first game action since 2022. Gage missed the past two seasons after suffering a torn patellar tendon, but was previously a reliable WR3 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and quarterback Tom Brady. The 49ers' receiver room is in shambles, with Brandon Aiyuk, Jacob Cowing, and Demarcus Robinson all sidelined. Gage has a chance to see the field in Week 1 as he's expected to serve as the team's WR5 and play limited snaps if needed. While fantasy production isn't likely, simply seeing Gage back on the field after such a long recovery is a great story and an encouraging sign for San Francisco's depth moving forward.

Monday, October 6, 3:48 PM

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (knee) was back on the practice field on Monday for the first time since tearing his ACL in the Week 18 regular-season finale in 2024. The Packers opened Watson's 21-day practice window for them to activate him from the Physically Unable to Perform list, but he only went through individual drills in his first practice back. "Today I felt like I was 100%," Watson said. It's unlikely that Watson will make his 2025 debut in Week 6 against the Green Bay Packers, but the team will need to officially activate him within the next three weeks, or he'll be lost for the entire season. The 26-year-old has had trouble staying healthy early in his career, but he provides quarterback Jordan Love with an explosive deep threat when he's healthy. Expect Green Bay to ease him in once he's activated, but that doesn't mean he's not worth stashing in fantasy leagues in the meantime. The Packers' WR corps will be even more crowded upon Watson's return, with Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks, rookie Matthew Golden, Savion Williams, and Malik Heath all vying for targets. Jayden Reed (collarbone, foot) is currently on Injured Reserve.