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

Sunday, August 3, 11:01 AM

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Russell Gage has "run some really crisp routes" in training camp practices and has drawn the praise of quarterback Brock Purdy, according to Vic Tafur of The Athletic. The veteran wideout has been forced into a more prominent training camp role as a result of injuries to San Francisco receivers Brandon Aiyuk (knee), Jauan Jennings (calf), and Jacob Cowing (hamstring). Gage last appeared in an NFL game in 2022 for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In 74 career games, he's recorded 244 catches for 2,491 yards and 14 touchdowns. Gage is probably still a long shot to make an impact in fantasy this season, but he could earn some playing time early in the season if San Francisco continues to deal with injuries in their wide receiver room.

Tuesday, August 12, 1:30 PM

Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said that wide receiver Christian Watson (knee) will likely start the regular season on the Physically Unable to Peform list. It means that Watson will have to miss at least the first four games of the year after tearing his ACL late last year, but Gutekunst said that Watson will be "chomping at the bit" to after that. "It's gonna take a lot of us to hold him back," Gutekunst said. The Packers have their bye in Week 5, so barring a setback in his recovery, it seems very plausible that the 26-year-old pass-catcher will be able to make his 2025 debut in a Week 6 showdown against the Cincinnati Bengals. When Watson returns, he'll be battling for targets in a crowded receiver room alongside Jayden Reed, Rombeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks and rookie first-rounder Matthew Golden.