RADIO
Brandon Aiyuk Says He's "Feeling Great"
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) arrived for his meeting with the 49ers on Friday and said he is "feeling great" and is 100% healthy after missing all of last year due to a torn ACL that he suffered back in 2024, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. "Feeling great, feeling healthy. Long recovery process, long rehab process, but I'm back to a hundred percent. Looking to get reinstated into the National Football League," Aiyuk said. The 28-year-old might have recovered from his season-ending knee injury in 2024, but the former first-rounder from Arizona State remains on the 49ers' left-squad list, and his return to the NFL field is a complicated one since he owes roughly $13 million in bonus forfeitures as he attempts to be reinstated. By showing up and hiring new representation, Aiyuk is hoping to force his release from the Niners so that he can sign with another team. It is completely unclear how quickly he will be able to do that, and even if Aiyuk were to join a new organization, the matter of his health and conditioning would be a big question mark. Aiyuk is currently rostered in only 7% of Yahoo leagues and will need to find a new team before most fantasy managers will take him seriously as a waiver-wire pickup.
Source: The Athletic - Matt Barrows
Source: The Athletic - Matt Barrows
Deebo Samuel Sr. Missing Another Game
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring) has officially been ruled out for the Week 9 contest this Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders, according to ESPN's Nick Wagoner. In addition to Samuel, the 49ers will also be without veteran wideouts Mike Evans (Achilles, ribs) and Christian Kirk (knee), so the team will ask Jordan Watkins, Brandin Cooks, and Jacob Cowing to step up as pass-catchers for quarterback Brock Purdy. The 30-year-old Samuel did not practice all week and has not played since injuring his hamstring in the Week 5 win over the division-rival Seattle Seahawks. He is going to need to get back on the practice field next week to have a shot at making his return next Sunday in Dallas against the Cowboys. By the time Samuel makes it back for the 49ers, the team could have more WR reinforcements available, potentially making the veteran wideout's path to regular touches more difficult. Through his first five games in his return to the Bay Area this year, Samuel has caught 16 of his 20 targets for 206 yards and three touchdowns, adding nine carries for 78 yards on the ground. Despite missing time with his hamstring injury, Samuel is rostered in 71% of Yahoo leagues right now.
Source: ESPN.com - Nick Wagoner
Source: ESPN.com - Nick Wagoner
Mike Evans Officially Out vs. Raiders
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans (Achilles, ribs) has officially been ruled out for the Week 9 contest this Sunday against the visiting Las Vegas Raiders, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. The 49ers will also be without Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring) and Christian Kirk (knee), so Jordan Watkins, Brandin Cooks, and Jacob Cowing will serve as quarterback Brock Purdy's top three wideouts coming out of the bye. The 33-year-old Evans will miss a second straight game due to a right Achilles injury that he aggravated in the Week 6 win over the Washington Commanders, and he also continues to battle through several broken ribs. Barring a setback next week, though, hopefully fantasy managers will get the future Hall of Famer back next Sunday, Nov. 15, for a clash on the road against the Dallas Cowboys. Evans will have to get back on the practice field next week after missing all of this week. Staying healthy has been a problem for the six-time Pro Bowler in his 13th NFL season, but he has been productive when on the field, posting a 27-420-3 line on 39 targets in his first six games with the Niners.
Source: ESPN.com - Nick Wagoner
Source: ESPN.com - Nick Wagoner
Christian Kirk Ruled Out for Week 9 With Meniscus Injury, Surgery Possible
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Christian Kirk (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's Week 9 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders after injuring his meniscus during Thursday's practice, according to David Lombardi. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said the team has not determined whether surgery will be necessary and did not confirm a tear. Kirk was limited Wednesday before missing Thursday's practice. The 29-year-old made his season debut against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 7 after missing six games with a calf injury, playing 20 offensive snaps without drawing a target. His latest setback comes with Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring) and Mike Evans (ribs, Achilles) also ruled out. Jordan Watkins drew six targets against Atlanta, while Jacob Cowing had five and Brandin Cooks had three. Demarcus Robinson (ankle) is questionable and could be activated from injured reserve ahead of Sunday's game. Kirk's uncertain recovery timeline and limited involvement before the injury leave him with little redraft appeal outside deeper leagues.
Source: David Lombardi
Source: David Lombardi
Nick Bosa Cleared to Return on Sunday Against Raiders
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (knee) does not have an injury designation on Friday and is good to go to make his return on Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders, according to ESPN's Nick Wagoner. Bosa returned to practice this week for the first time since suffering a knee injury back in Week 2, and the 29-year-old All-Pro pass-rusher will return this weekend to give San Francisco's pass rush a big boost against veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins and the Raiders. The oft-injured Bosa will not try to stay healthy for the rest of the season after recording seven tackles (three solo) across 76 defensive snaps in his first two games of the 2026 campaign. The former first-rounder from Ohio State is a five-time Pro Bowler and can be a difference-maker on the defensive side of the ball when he is fully healthy, but he has managed to play in only five games since the start of the 2025 season due to injuries. He will be a volatile IDP fantasy option in his first game back in Week 9 while potentially on a snap count, but for the rest of the season, he could end up being a game-changer.
Source: ESPN.com - Nick Wagoner
Source: ESPN.com - Nick Wagoner
Christian McCaffrey Cleared to Play Sunday vs. Raiders
San Francisco 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) has no injury designation and is good to go for Sunday's game against the visiting Las Vegas Raiders in Week 9, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. McCaffrey did not practice on Wednesday, but he told reporters he was confident that he would play this weekend against the Raiders, and the 30-year-old has officially been cleared from Friday's final injury report after returning to practice on Thursday and Friday. Fantasy managers surely did not like seeing CMC on this week's injury report when considering his lengthy injury history, but he appears to be fine after tweaking his left hamstring in the Week 7 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. San Francisco's bye in Week 8 came at the right time, allowing McCaffrey to suit up. As long as he does not have any workload restrictions on Sunday at Levi's Stadium, CMC will be a no-brainer must-start RB1 for fantasy football managers. The 49ers will not be getting receivers Mike Evans (Achilles, ribs) and Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring) back this week, and they will also be without Christian Kirk (knee), so McCaffrey should handle a high volume of passing-game work yet again.
Source: ESPN.com - Nick Wagoner
Source: ESPN.com - Nick Wagoner
Christian McCaffrey Participating in Friday's Practice
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) was seen participating in practice on Friday, per ESPN's Nick Wagoner. McCaffrey missed practice on Wednesday with a hamstring issue, but he returned on both Thursday and Friday and appears likely to play in San Francisco's Week 9 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. The 30-year-old has put together another excellent season so far in 2026, recording 640 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns on 118 touches across seven games. San Francisco has reduced McCaffrey's rushing workload this season, but his involvement in the team's pass game continues to provide him with a very safe production floor. As long as he's active, McCaffrey profiles as an elite running back option for fantasy managers in Week 9.
Source: ESPN - Nick Wagoner
Source: ESPN - Nick Wagoner
Brandon Aiyuk's Arrest Warrant Remains Active
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk still has an active arrest warrant stemming from an alleged December 2025 speeding incident near Levi's Stadium, according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area. The Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office confirmed Friday that the warrant remains active. Aiyuk faces a misdemeanor charge of exhibition of speed connected to a driving video he posted online, with the warrant first reported publicly in June. The development comes as Aiyuk and his new agent, Drew Rosenhaus, prepare to meet with the 49ers on Friday afternoon after the receiver filed paperwork seeking reinstatement from the reserve/left squad list. The NFL had not approved his reinstatement as of Friday morning. There is no confirmed connection between the outstanding warrant and that delay, and San Francisco has yet to determine how it will handle Aiyuk's return. The 28-year-old has not played since suffering a significant knee injury in October 2024.
Source: Matt Maiocco
Source: Matt Maiocco
Brock Purdy's Elite Efficiency Should Set Up Another QB1 Performance
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy has been excellent so far in 2026, and Week 9 should be no different as he faces a Raiders defense that has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to the QB position and the most passing touchdowns. Purdy is QB8 this season and QB3 in fantasy points per game, and he's thriving on efficiency rather than volume. Purdy ranks 26th in dropbacks per game; however, third in EPA per dropback, fifth in yards per attempt, and second in adjusted net yards per attempt. Purdy has also been extremely efficient in the red zone, with a 7.1 percent touchdown rate, tied for fifth with 15 passing TDs, and one fewer game played than the quarterbacks above him because the 49ers came off a bye week. Fantasy managers who own Purdy are confidently starting him as a QB1 regardless of the matchup.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brandon Aiyuk Not Reinstated Rrom Left-Squad List Ahead of Return
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is still waiting for the NFL to reinstate him from the reserve/left squad list, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Aiyuk filed the necessary paperwork Wednesday and planned to report to the team facility Friday, but his reinstatement has yet to be processed. He hasn't played since October 2024, and even if the league clears him to return, his future with San Francisco remains uncertain. The 49ers still have to decide whether to keep, trade, or release him. For fantasy managers, there's little reason to expect Aiyuk to contribute anytime soon. He remains a deep-league stash until his roster situation and potential playing time become clearer.
Source: Pro Football Talk
Source: Pro Football Talk
Brandon Aiyuk Owes 49ers Nearly $13 Million in Bonus Forfeiture
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk owes the team roughly $13 million in bonus forfeiture, which is a potential complication in his efforts to secure his release by reporting to the 49ers' facility on Friday, according to Tom Pelissero of The Ringer. The NFL Management Council and the NFL Players Association are both involved in trying to resolve the situation. The sides could reach an agreement to pay back the money, or it could go to arbitration. The 28-year-old missed the entire 2025 campaign due to a torn ACL that he suffered in 2024, and the 49ers placed him on the left-team list late last year. If this goes to arbitration, it will delay Aiyuk's attempt to return to the NFL by forcing his release from the 49ers. It was already more of a long shot that Aiyuk would retain any kind of fantasy football value for the rest of the 2026 season, and this news makes it even more unlikely. The former first-rounder from Arizona State had back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons in the Bay Area before his season-ending knee injury in 2025, but it remains to be seen what kind of shape he is in if/when he eventually gets another shot with a new organization.
Source: The Ringer - Tom Pelissero
Source: The Ringer - Tom Pelissero
Christian Kirk Misses Practice With Knee Injury
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Christian Kirk (knee) was downgraded to a non-participant in Thursday's practice after he was limited in the first session of the week on Wednesday, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. Although Kirk has not really moved the needle at all in fantasy football leagues in 2026, his absence at Thursday's practice is notable, with both veteran wideouts Mike Evans (Achilles, ribs) and Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring) unlikely to return to action this weekend against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday in Week 9. Mid-week downgrades are usually never good, so there is a real possibility that the Niners will also be without Kirk as they come out of their bye week. Sadly, even if Kirk is fine and plays on Sunday, he will be a hard-to-trust deep-league flex option despite the banged-up nature of the team's receiving corps. Kirk has had trouble staying on the field since the 2023 campaign with the Jacksonville Jaguars and has played in just one game in 2026. He did not see a single target in the Week 7 loss to the Atlanta Falcons in his debut with the 49ers.
Source: ESPN.com - Nick Wagoner
Source: ESPN.com - Nick Wagoner
Deebo Samuel Sr. Not Seen at Thursday's Practice
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring) was absent from the portion of practice open to the media on Thursday, per ESPN's Nick Wagoner. Samuel also missed practice on Wednesday and is unlikely to return from a hamstring injury in Week 9 against the visiting Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday despite having last week's bye to rest up. The 30-year-old veteran has not practiced or played since suffering a hamstring injury in the Week 5 win over the division-rival Seattle Seahawks, and fantasy managers should not expect him to return this weekend. The next chance that Samuel will be able to return will be in Week 10 on the road against the Dallas Cowboys. With fellow wideout Mike Evans (Achilles, ribs) also expected to miss Week 9, San Francisco will be down to Jordan Watkins, Brandin Cooks, and Jacob Cowing at the WR position. Veteran Christian Kirk also missed Thursday's practice with a knee injury after he was limited on Wednesday.
Source: ESPN.com - Nick Wagoner
Source: ESPN.com - Nick Wagoner
Mike Evans Remains Sidelined on Thursday
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans (Achilles, ribs) was not seen participating in the portion of practice open to the media on Thursday, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. Despite the 49ers coming off their bye in Week 8, they are not expected to have either Evans or Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring) for their Week 9 contest on Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders. The 33-year-old Evans was also a non-participant in Wednesday's practice. Fantasy managers should move him to their bench now in anticipation of him sitting out another game this weekend. With both Evans and Samuel sidelined again, tight end George Kittle will continue to have a high fantasy ceiling and floor as quarterback Brock Purdy's most trusted weapon. Evans has seemingly been battling various injuries since training camp back in the summer, but when on the field, he has been electric for the Niners in his first year with the team, catching 27 passes for 420 yards and three touchdowns in six games. His next chance to return will come in Week 10 on Sunday, Nov. 15, for a showdown in Dallas against the Cowboys.
Source: ESPN.com - Nick Wagoner
Source: ESPN.com - Nick Wagoner
Christian McCaffrey Back at Practice on Thursday
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) was back in uniform and participating in practice in the early portion open to the media on Thursday, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. McCaffrey did not take part in the first practice of the week on Wednesday, but he was confident he would return to practice and be ready to play in this weekend's home tilt against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. The 30-year-old All-Pro RB tweaked his left hamstring in the Week 7 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, but he thankfully had the bye week to recover. Barring a setback in practice on Friday, fantasy managers should have CMC available against the Raiders as a must-start, elite RB1. Still, any mention of an injury for McCaffrey can be scary when considering his lengthy injury history, so we will continue to keep a close eye on his status going into Week 9 action. In the meantime, rookie Kaelon Black is a must-have insurance policy off the waiver wire in case McCaffrey's hamstring injury worsens. McCaffrey has been the RB10 in half-PPR scoring through eight weeks with 389 rushing yards and eight touchdowns while adding 34 catches for an additional 251 receiving yards.
Source: ESPN.com - Nick Wagoner
Source: ESPN.com - Nick Wagoner
