Who Should I Start? Zachariah Branch or Eric Rivers Jr.

Monday, November 2, 11:08 AM

Atlanta Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Monday that rookie wide receiver Zachariah Branch (hamstring) will not play on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 9, according to Daniel Flick of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Branch was not targeted at all in the team's Week 8 shutout loss to the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday before injuring his hamstring, and he could be facing a multi-week absence. The 22-year-old third-rounder from Georgia has had a minimal role in the Falcons' offense so far in his first year in the NFL, catching only 10 of his 12 targets for 64 yards and no touchdowns. Branch has speed to spare and is shifty in open space, but barring injuries to the rest of the team's WR corps, he will be fighting an uphill battle for playing time when he returns from his hamstring injury. Branch's next chance to return for Atlanta will be in Week 10 at home against the Kansas City Chiefs. He should only be stashed in dynasty/keeper leagues for now.