Jordan Matthews Invisible In Final Tune-Up

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jordan Matthews saw zero targets in limited action in Thursday’s preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers. On his third team in three years, Matthews finishes the preseason with three catches for 45 yards. The sixth-year player is on the bubble, competing with Kendrick Bourne for the final wideout spot.... Read More

Jeffery Wilson Handles 21 Touches

San Francisco 49ers running back Jeffery Wilson gained 100 yards on 20 carries in Thursday’s preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers and caught a pass for eight yards. Wilson ripped a highlight-reel, 41-yard touchdown scamper, reversing direction and racing for his fourth score of the preseason. Many Niners beat writers believe his substantial playing time... Read More

Manuel Margot Coming On Strong

San Diego Padres outfielder Manuel Margot launched a two-run homer in Thursday’s win against the San Francisco Giants. Margot was falling out of favor midway through the season but he’s turned it around, homering eight times and swiping nine bags since July. For the year he’s still slashing just .239/.315/.405 with 11 dingers and 84... Read More

Chris Paddack Brings Back The Swagger

San Diego Padres starter Chris Paddack fired seven innings of one-run ball in Thursday’s victory against the San Francisco Giants. Paddack has been abysmal since the All Star break but showed his early season-dominance in this one, fanning eight while allowing five knocks and zero walks. The 23-year-old lowers his rookie season line to a... Read More

Kendrick Bourne, Jordan Matthews, Kaden Smith On The Bubble

NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco released his list of 20 players on the roster bubble on Thursday. Notable players in fantasy-relevant positions are wide receivers Kendrick Bourne and Jordan Matthews, rookie tight end Kaden Smith and running back Jeffery Wilson. Bourne led Niner receivers with 487 yards last season but has suffered drop issues... Read More

Luis Urias Struggling At Shortstop

San Diego Padres infielder Luis Urias committed a critical extra-inning error in Wednesday’s loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. That’s five errors in the past eight games for the 22-year-old, who also went hitless in three tries. Although he’s flashed serious glovework at second, Urias has struggled since moving to shortstop in the wake of... Read More

Tevin Coleman's Competition Thinned Out By Injuries

With the latest setback to San Francisco 49ers running back Jerick McKinnon (knee), Tevin Coleman should benefit in a backfield with fewer mouths to feed. Reunited with head coach Kyle Shanahan, Coleman enters 2019 as the Niners’ nominal lead back but should operate in a regular committee. However, once projected to share touches with both... Read More

Eric Hosmer Keeps Trucking Along

San Diego Padres first baseman Eric Hosmer went 2-for-5 on Wednesday, smacking his 20th home run. Hosmer has received little fanfare after a bumpy 2018, ceding the spotlight to rookie sensation Fernando Tatis Jr. (back) and third baseman Manny Machado, but he’s quietly registered a solid season. The veteran has appeared in 131 of 132... Read More

Padres Acquire Nick Martini

The San Diego Padres acquired outfielder Nick Martini from the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday. The 29-year-old Martini holds a .282 career average in just 61 career games but slashed .328/.432/.482 with eight homers this year in Triple-A. He’ll serve as a left-handed platoon bat down the stretch for the Friars but is miles from fantasy... Read More

Jeffery Wilson's Stock On The Rise

In light of the setback suffered by San Francisco 49ers running back Jerick McKinnon (knee), Jeffery Wilson has a legitimate shot to make the team. Wilson has been the Niners preseason workhorse, handling 21 carries for 78 yards and three touchdowns. The undrafted second-year player was on the bubble prior to McKinnon’s injury, but it seems... Read More

Deebo Samuel Makes Two Grabs

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel caught two of three targets for 27 yards Saturday against the Kansas City Chiefs. After two solid preseason games, Samuel had a relatively quiet evening. The second-round rookie has demonstrated electric upside and could be in-line for a meaningful role immediately in the Niners offense. With a stellar... Read More

Jalen Hurd Still Dealing With Back Tightness

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jalen Hurd (back) did not play Saturday against the Kansas City Chiefs. Hurd also sat out last Monday due to back tightness so two consecutive missed games is not a positive development. The 2019 third-round pick made noise with two touchdowns in the first preseason contest but has dealt with... Read More

Dante Pettis Gets Five Looks Against Chiefs

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Dante Pettis grabbed three balls on five targets for 36 yards Saturday against the Kansas City Chiefs. Following two quiet games, Pettis was finally in the mix after he indicated he was playing “explosive and consistent” earlier this week. Despite being pushed by rookies Deebo Samuel and Jalen Hurd (back),... Read More

Matt Breida Hits Paydirt Saturday

San Francisco 49ers running back Matt Breida recorded nine touches for 75 yards and a touchdown Saturday against the Kansas City Chiefs. Breida toted the rock seven times for 44 yards and added two catches for 31 yards including a 20-yard touchdown from Jimmy Garoppolo in the first quarter. While Breida will share snaps with... Read More

Jimmy Garoppolo Struts His Stuff Saturday

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo completed 14 of 20 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown in Saturday’s victory against the Kansas City Chiefs. Garoppolo bounced back in a big way after an ugly game last Monday, finding running back Matt Breida for a 20-yard score in the first quarter. In his second game... Read More

George Kittle Out For Saturday's Preseason Game

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (calf) will not play Saturday against the Kansas City Chiefs. Kittle suffered a calf injury a couple weeks ago but has been practicing and assured his fantasy enthusiasts he’ll be ready for Week 1. Kittle deserves top-3 tight end consideration in all leagues this season. Other notable inactives... Read More

Manny Machado's Nightmare August Continues

San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado went 0-for-2 before being lifted in Friday’s blowout loss to the Boston Red Sox. Machado is still looking for his first homer in August as he endures a brutal month, slashing .197/.247/.224 with just two extra-base hits. The swoon has his season OPS down to .801. For the... Read More

Chris Paddack Thrashed By Red Sox

San Diego Padres starter Chris Paddack was thrashed for six earned runs in just 2 1/3 innings Friday against the Boston Red Sox. Four of the seven hits surrendered went for extra bases and the whiff artist failed to strike out anyone. The flop spikes his season line to a 3.84 ERA and 1.03 WHIP.... Read More

Dante Pettis Rediscovering Explosiveness

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Dante Pettis believes he’s finally playing “explosive and consistent.” Entering training camp as a presumed starter, Pettis has been pushed by rookies Deebo Samuel and Jalen Hurd who have both turned heads. Meanwhile, Pettis has apparently lacked assertiveness. The 2018 second-round pick emerged at the end of last year, compiling... Read More

CJ Beathard And Nick Mullens Competing To The End

The competition between San Francisco 49ers quarterbacks CJ Beathard and Nick Mullens to earn backup duties will come down to final cuts. The two signal-callers both made starts in 2018 after Jimmy Garoppolo suffered a torn ACL and present different skillsets to the offense. Beathard is a risk-taker with a longer tenure with the squad... Read More

Nick Bosa And Jason Verrett 50-50 For Week 1

Speaking Thursday, San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch indicated defensive end Nick Bosa (ankle) and cornerback Jason Verrett (ankle, Achilles) are 50-50 for Week 1. Both players suffered injuries two weeks ago and their absence would impair an already-shaky defensive unit. Bosa, the second overall pick in 2019, could emerge as a quality IDP... Read More

Jordan Matthews' Prospects Brightening

Based on the praise heaped upon San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jordan Matthews recently, his chances of making the team appear bright. Head coach Kyle Shanahan has “a lot of confidence” in Matthews and believes they can “win with [him].” Once an ascending talent with three straight 800-plus yard seasons to start his career, Matthews... Read More

Jimmy Garoppolo Will Play Entire First Half Saturday

San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan expects quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to play the entire first half this Saturday against the Kansas City Chiefs. Returning to his first game action since going down with a torn ACL in Week 3 of last season, Garoppolo struggled in 11 snaps last Monday, completing just one of six passes... Read More

Francisco Mejia Emerging As Quality Backstop

San Diego Padres catcher Francisco Mejia cracked a solo homer in four at-bats Wednesday against the Cincinnati Reds. The long ball was Mejia’s eighth of the season as he continues ascending as the Friars everyday backstop. Since his recall on June 18, the 23-year-old has lifted his OPS from .466 to a now-sturdy .776. After... Read More

Trent Taylor Could Return By Week 1

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Trent Taylor (foot) could be back by Week 1. The oft-hobbled third-year player underwent foot surgery on August 10 with an expected rehab of 4-6 weeks, although head coach Kyle Shanahan believes he won’t miss any regular season action. Limited by injuries, Taylor has tallied just 645 yards across his... Read More

Raheem Mostert Making Case For Playing Time

San Francisco 49ers running back Raheem Mostert tallied 58 yards and a touchdown on six carries along with two catches for 42 yards in Monday’s preseason game against the Denver Broncos. Mostert was the most effective offensive player on the field and further made his case for a roster spot. As a special teams lifer,... Read More

Jerick McKinnon Not Close To Practicing

San Francisco 49ers running back Jerick McKinnon (knee) could return to individual drills this week, per head coach Kyle Shanahan. McKinnon received a platelet-rich plasma injection 17 days ago after dealing with knee soreness as he recovers from a torn ACL. While individual work is encouraging, he will not participate in team drills as the... Read More

Marquise Goodwin Still Viewed As A Starter

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Marquise Goodwin played in all 11 snaps with the first team Monday against the Denver Broncos. With the offense struggling, Goodwin did not record a stat but with a solid camp thus far, is still viewed as a starter. However, with receiver Dante Pettis hovering and rookies Deebo Samuel and... Read More

Deebo Samuel Keeps Making Plays

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel was not targeted but ripped a 45-yard run in Monday’s preseason game against the Denver Broncos. After collecting 75 yards last Saturday, the rookie made another splash, nearly scoring on a third quarter reverse. Samuel was taken in the second round this past offseason and continues to port... Read More

Jalen Hurd Dealing With Back Stiffness

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jalen Hurd (back) played just eight snaps in Monday’s preseason game against the Denver Broncos. This is a letdown after Hurd exploded for two touchdowns on five targets in his first game, but head coach Kyle Shanahan indicated Hurd dealt with back stiffness all week and was therefore limited. The... Read More