RADIO
49ers Could Respond to Seahawks Offensive-Line Trade
The league-wide expectation is that the San Francisco 49ers will respond after the Seattle Seahawks' acquisition of eight-time Pro Bowl offensive guard Quenton Nelson on Tuesday from the Indianapolis Colts, according to Jordan Schultz. The 49ers are on their bye in Week 8, and general manager John Lynch is surely looking at ways to improve the organization this year and in the future after the team lost its first game on the road to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 7 on Sunday. The obvious route for the 49ers to bolster their team would be at the wide receiver position, as they have one of the most banged-up WR depth charts in the NFL right now. The good news is that they could be getting wideouts Mike Evans (Achilles, rib), Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring), and Demarcus Robinson (ankle) back for their Week 9 contest against the Las Vegas Raiders. Another area of need for the 49ers is on the defensive line, and it would make sense to add there to counter Seattle's move on Tuesday to bolster the interior of their offensive line. Stay tuned as the strong NFC West heats up.
Source: Jordan Schultz
Source: Jordan Schultz
49ers to Stick With Kicker Eddy Pineiro
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said on KNBR Radio on Tuesday that the team plans to stick with struggling kicker Eddy Pineiro when they come out of their Week 8 bye. "We don't have a kicker tryout. We have a lot of belief in Eddie. He has had a tough run early this year, but we extended Eddie for his body of work with us but then throughout the history of his career. He's going through a rough patch right now. We have belief in Eddie, and we're going to ride with him," Lynch said. Pineiro did not attempt a field goal in the team's first loss of the season on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons, but he missed one of his three extra-point tries and has missed three of his nine field-goal attempts through seven weeks so far in the 2026 season. The veteran placekicker has attempted a league-high 25 extra points, but he has missed four of them. For now, the 49ers will keep their faith in the 31-year-old, who had a league-high 96.6% success rate on field goals in 2025 in his first year with the Niners. Pineiro will attempt to get things straightened out when the team faces the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 9 after their Week 8 bye.
Source: KNBR
Source: KNBR
Jordan Watkins Is a Stash-Only After Week 8 Bye
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jordan Watkins is a speculative stash in deeper leagues, not a priority add in standard 12-team formats, because the Week 8 bye arrives just as several injured receivers could return. He has played 76% of the offensive snaps in consecutive games and led San Francisco's wideouts with 50 offensive snaps in Sunday's 29-20 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, catching three of six targets for 56 yards, including a 35-yard gain. He also nearly scored a 23-yard touchdown before the catch was overturned following review. Still, his past two appearances have produced just four receptions for 78 yards on seven targets. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that Mike Evans (Achilles), Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring), and Demarcus Robinson (ankle) could return after the bye, while Christian Kirk (calf) made his season debut Sunday. Watkins has earned more opportunities during the team's injury troubles, but the competition could substantially reduce his workload by Week 9.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Deebo Samuel Sr. has a Chance to Return in Week 9
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Monday that veteran wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring) will have a chance to return in Week 9 against the Las Vegas Raiders after the team's Week 8 bye, according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports. The same can be said for Mike Evans (Achilles, rib) and Demarcus Robinson (ankle). Samuel injured his hamstring in the Week 5 win over the division-rival Seattle Seahawks and has missed the last two games going into the bye. With Evans and Samuel inactive on Sunday in the Week 7 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, tight end George Kittle led the team in receiving, with Jordan Watkins leading the receiving corps. Reinforcements appear to be on their way following the Week 8 bye, which will be great news for quarterback Brock Purdy. The 30-year-old Samuel has caught 16 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns in five games so far in 2026, but with San Francisco getting healthier at the position, the veteran could find targets and touches harder to come by as the season progresses. He has also seen nine rushing attempts for 78 yards.
Source: NBC Sports - Matt Maiocco
Source: NBC Sports - Matt Maiocco
De'Zhaun Stribling on Track to Return in December
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Monday that rookie second-round wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle) is still on track to return from Injured Reserve in December, according to The San Francisco Standard's David Lombardi. After creating buzz in 49ers training camp all summer and through the preseason, the 23-year-old Stribling injured his ankle in his regular-season NFL debut in the Week 1 win over the division-rival Los Angeles Rams in Australia and has been out ever since. The 49ers' receiving corps is one of the most banged-up units in all of football, so getting Stribling back towards the end of the season will be a welcome addition, but fantasy managers still stashing the rookie must remain patient. Stribling is currently rostered in only 25% of Yahoo leagues and probably will not have much time to contribute in single-year fantasy leagues when/if he returns in December. With both Mike Evans (Achilles, rib) and Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring) out in the Week 7 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, tight end George Kittle had a team-high 88 receiving yards on eight catches, with Jordan Watkins leading the receiving corps with three catches on six targets for 56 yards.
Source: The San Francisco Standard - David Lombardi
Source: The San Francisco Standard - David Lombardi
Mike Evans has a Chance to Return After Bye Week
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Monday that the team has a chance to get veteran wide receiver Mike Evans (Achilles, rib) back in Week 9 against the Las Vegas Raiders following their Week 8 bye, according to David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard. Evans has seemingly played banged up since training camp this summer, and he was forced to sit out of Sunday's first loss of the year against the Atlanta Falcons after aggravating his Achilles injury in last Monday night's victory over the Washington Commanders. The 33-year-old future Hall of Famer has also been playing through several broken ribs. The six-time Pro Bowler has been productive through it all, catching 27 of his 39 targets for 420 yards and three touchdowns in his first six games in San Francisco after spending the first 12 years of his NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If Evans returns after the bye, he will be back on the WR2 radar in fantasy as the team's top wideout for quarterback Brock Purdy. Fantasy managers will need to watch Evans' practice status closely next week to determine if he will be ready to play versus the Raiders.
Source: The San Francisco Standard - David Lombardi
Source: The San Francisco Standard - David Lombardi
Christian McCaffrey has Mild Hamstring Strain, Should be Ready for Week 9
San Francisco 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) ended up having a mild hamstring strain in Sunday's Week 7 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, not a quadriceps injury, according to David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard. The 49ers think McCaffrey will be ready to go after their Week 8 bye in Week 9 against the Las Vegas Raiders. CMC left the game and was seen running to the locker room with a trainer before eventually returning to the contest for the 49ers. The 30-year-old four-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro handled a season-low seven carries against Atlanta while missing valuable time, but he managed to find the end zone for the sixth straight game on 39 rushing yards while adding six catches for 61 yards through the air. We will be keeping a close eye on McCaffrey's practice status next week as the team prepares for the Raiders, but as long as CMC is on track to play, he will be a must-start in all fantasy formats. Through seven weeks, he has 84 carries for 389 yards (4.6 yards per carry) with a league-high eight rushing touchdowns. McCaffrey has added 34 receptions on 42 targets for 251 yards through the air.
Source: The San Francisco Standard - David Lombardi
Source: The San Francisco Standard - David Lombardi
Kaelon Black Worth Stashing Off the Waiver Wire Through Week 8 Bye
San Francisco 49ers rookie running back Kaelon Black had the best game of his young career in Week 7, recording 12 carries for 63 yards and a touchdown in his team's loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Black's fantasy upside is limited by the presence of star 49ers back Christian McCaffrey (thigh). Still, Black has seen relatively consistent work in a secondary role this season, recording 57 carries for 223 yards and a touchdown across seven games. McCaffrey also suffered a thigh injury in Week 7. Both he and the team have downplayed the injury, and the 49ers have their bye in Week 8, so McCaffrey may not miss any time. However, even a small increase in Black's touches coming out of the bye could put him in flex range for fantasy managers in the right matchups. Of course, if McCaffrey were to be sidelined for any reason, Black would be a must-start running back. Black should be rostered across almost all fantasy formats coming out of Week 7.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Christian McCaffrey Not Worried About "Thigh" Injury
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (thigh) is not worried about his injury. McCaffrey suffered a thigh injury on the second drive of the game. He returned but had only four touches after the injury. McCaffrey said his leg "just died on me. I was just trying to keep it warm and not make it worse, but there's only so much you can do to get back to where you want to be. I'll be fine. I know that. I'll be all right." He was dominating early, totaling 69 yards and a touchdown on the first drive alone. With the 49ers on bye for Week 8, McCaffrey will have time to heal before facing the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 9. While fantasy managers shouldn't sound alarms yet, McCaffrey's thigh injury is concerning given the star running back's injury history.
Source: Pro Football Talk
Source: Pro Football Talk
Jordan Watkins Steps Into a Larger Role on Sunday Afternoon
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jordan Watkins caught three of his six targets for 56 yards during Sunday's Week 7 loss against the Atlanta Falcons. He almost had a touchdown catch, too, but it was reversed to an incompletion upon replay review. Watkins stepped up as one of Brock Purdy's favorite targets with so many injuries across the receiver room, including Mike Evans (Achilles), Deebo Samuel (hamstring), De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle), and Demarcus Robinson (ankle). The 24-year-old has now played 76% of the offensive snaps in each of his last two games, but that trend may not continue going forward. The 49ers have a bye in Week 8, giving players like Evans and Samuel a little extra time to get healthy. Christian Kirk, who returned from injured reserve Sunday but wasn't targeted, will also have a full two weeks to get back up to NFL speed so that he can contribute when the Niners return to action in Week 9 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Assuming Watkins falls off the No. 1 role going forward, he can be avoided in most fantasy football leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brock Purdy Picked Off Twice in Rare Dud Performance
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy completed 27 of his 40 pass attempts for 288 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions during Sunday's Week 7 loss against the Atlanta Falcons. He also rushed for five yards and took two sacks. Purdy had just two turnovers through the first six weeks of the season, so seeing him get picked off twice in one game was an anomaly. The 26-year-old ultimately finished with his worst fantasy outing of the season, and he is no longer among the top three quarterbacks in total scoring this year. We do expect him to bounce back going forward, especially as the receiving corps around him finally starts to get a little bit healthier. The Niners' Week 8 bye will be a great opportunity for the receivers to get healthy and for Purdy to shake off Sunday's dud outing.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Christian McCaffrey's Rushing Volume Hindered by Brief Exit
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey totaled nine carries, 39 rushing yards, and one rushing touchdown during Sunday's Week 7 loss against the Atlanta Falcons. He also caught six of seven targets for an additional 61 receiving yards. McCaffrey had a very productive day when he was on the field, but his rushing volume was limited by a mix of injury and game script. The 30-year-old missed a portion of the game with a thigh injury, and it was serious enough that he had to go to the locker room for evaluation and was listed as questionable. He did end up returning, although the Niners used him in the passing game more than the rushing attack since they were trailing Atlanta. San Francisco went on to lose, but McCaffrey salvaged his performance (especially in PPR leagues) with the six catches, 100 scrimmage yards, and one touchdown. As long as he's healthy, he remains a high-end RB1 on the other side of his Week 8 bye.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kaelon Black Sees Increased Opportunity in Loss
San Francisco 49ers running back Kaelon Black struggled early on during Sunday's game, but he was able to turn it around. Black was stopped on three straight plays inside the three-yard line on the first drive of the game. He was pretty quiet in this game until Christian McCaffrey (thigh) was forced to exit during the first half. Black took over the lead back role for a period of time and posted some decent numbers. Overall, Black carried the ball 12 times for 63 yards and a touchdown in the loss to the Atlanta Falcons. McCaffrey returned in the second half of this game, so he should be fine moving forward. Black remains one of the better handcuffs heading into the team's Week 8 bye.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Christian McCaffrey Returns From Thigh Injury Against Falcons
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (thigh) returned for the team's opening offensive possession of the third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, according to ESPN's Nick Wagoner, which cuts into the likelihood of rookie Kaelon Black handling the lead role throughout the second half. McCaffrey was initially questionable to return after receiving treatment in the medical tent and on the sideline before heading to the locker room. He recorded four carries for 29 yards and a touchdown, along with three receptions for 45 yards, before his departure. Black took on additional work in his absence and scored on a 30-yard touchdown run, but McCaffrey is back in San Francisco's backfield rotation.
Source: Nick Wagoner
Source: Nick Wagoner
Christian McCaffrey Heads to Locker Room With Thigh Injury
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (thigh) has headed to the locker room during Sunday's Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, according to ESPN's Nick Wagoner, which puts rookie Kaelon Black in line for an expanded workload if McCaffrey cannot return. McCaffrey initially received treatment in the medical tent before returning to the sideline, where trainers continued working on his thigh. He remains questionable to return after recording four carries for 29 yards and a touchdown, along with three receptions for 45 yards. Black has taken over backfield duties during McCaffrey's absence and already delivered a 30-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, demonstrating he can handle additional carries against Atlanta.
Source: Nick Wagoner
Source: Nick Wagoner
