RADIO
Jordan Watkins Worth Waiver Adds After Week 10
San Francisco wide receiver Jordan Watkins is a rising fantasy asset after what he's done over his past two games. He went for 56 yards on three receptions and six targets in Week 7 against Atlanta, then caught all four of his targets for 86 yards and a score against the Raiders in Week 9. He has played more the past three games with the 49ers dealing with a bevy of injuries to offensive players. The more time that Mike Evans (ribs, Achilles), Christian Kirk (knee) and Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring) miss, the more valuable Watkins becomes. It's worth noting that Watkins' role could be wiped away with the return of even a couple of those wide receivers though. Watkins is still worth adding in more fantasy leagues going into Week 10. He's a solid deep-league starting option for now, and could become a standard league streaming threat if several Niners miss the game against the Cowboys, which is a very favorable fantasy matchup.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Demarcus Robinson Is a Good Stash for WR Depth
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Demarcus Robinson returned from an ankle injury in Week 9, and he'll have an opportunity to earn more playing time in the next few weeks as the team continues to deal with multiple other injuries at the position. Robinson was carted off the field with a high ankle sprain in Week 2 and missed five games on IR before being activated and playing in Week 9 against the Raiders. He played 51% of snaps in his return and tied for second on the team with four targets. He caught three of those passes for 22 yards, but he should be able to ramp up to a bigger role in the coming weeks if Mike Evans (Achilles) remains sidelined. Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring) has also been out, but he seems to have a better chance of returning this week. Robinson will remain boom-or-bust since Brock Purdy spreads the ball around, but he can be an emergency option in deep leagues against the Cowboys this week and a good stash for depth in most leagues now that he's back from injury and playing in an effective passing offense.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
49ers Hopeful that Deebo Samuel Sr. Will Practice on Wednesday
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Monday that the hope is to have wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring) at practice on Wednesday, according to ESPN's Nick Wagoner. Samuel has not played since the Week 5 win over the division-rival Seattle Seahawks due to a hamstring injury, but if he returns to practice this week, he should have a good opportunity to return on Sunday in a Week 10 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. Meanwhile, fellow veteran receiver Mike Evans (Achilles, ribs) does not look ready to return to the field and is trending towards missing a third straight game with multiple injuries. If the 30-year-old Samuel returns and Evans is out again against Dallas, Samuel could return with a bang against a shaky Cowboys secondary. Samuel does not have the kind of upside he had earlier in his career, but San Francisco's banged-up WR corps in 2026 has provided him with additional opportunities. In five games played in his eighth year in the league, Samuel has 16 receptions on 20 targets for 206 yards and three touchdowns and has added nine carries for 78 yards on the ground. We will keep a close eye on the Week 10 statuses of both Samuel and Evans later this week.
Source: ESPN.com - Nick Wagoner
Source: ESPN.com - Nick Wagoner
Mike Evans Unlikely to Practice on Wednesday
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans (Achilles, ribs) is unlikely to practice on Wednesday, head coach Kyle Shanahan told Nick Wagoner of ESPN. Evans has missed the last two games with Achilles soreness and several broken ribs, and he is trending towards missing a third straight contest in Week 10 on the road against the Dallas Cowboys. The 49ers got by with another win in Week 9 on Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders without Evans and Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring), and their top priority is to have Evans healthy and in top form for the end of the season and the start of the playoffs in January. The 33-year-old Hall of Famer has been reliable for fantasy managers in his six games played so far in 2026, but more patience will probably be required before we see him on the field again. Evans has 27 receptions for 420 yards and three touchdowns. If he does not play this Sunday against Dallas, his next chance to return will be for a tough matchup against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 11. The NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported on Sunday that Evans is "questionable at best" to play this weekend against the Cowboys.
Source: ESPN.com - Nick Wagoner
Source: ESPN.com - Nick Wagoner
49ers Expect More Resolution in Brandon Aiyuk Situation This Week
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said last week on KNBR radio that there should be enough resolution in the wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk saga to discuss the process of reinstatement in more detail this week, according to David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard. Since Aiyuk applied for reinstatement before Tuesday's Nov. 10 trade deadline, the 49ers could not deny the application. The 28-year-old former first-rounder from Arizona State was officially reinstated from the left-squad list on Monday, and the 49ers were granted a two-week roster exemption for him. The 49ers now have until Nov. 23 to either trade Aiyuk, release him, or add him to their active 53-man roster. Aiyuk will find it more difficult to be straight up released since he now owes around $13 million in bonus forfeitures. What we do know is that the 49ers do not have any interest in patching things up with Aiyuk, who has not played since tearing his ACL and MCL in his right knee in October of 2024. Whether another team is interested in securing Aiyuk's services if he becomes a free agent is another question entirely, which makes him a wait-and-see long shot in fantasy football in 2026.
Source: The San Francisco Standard - David Lombardi
Source: The San Francisco Standard - David Lombardi
Brandon Aiyuk Reinstated From Reserve/Left Squad
The NFL has reinstated San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk from the Reserve/Left Squad list, per Tom Pelissero of The Ringer. Pelissero also reports that the league has granted San Francisco a two-week roster exemption, giving the team a brief window to make a roster move. Aiyuk has not appeared in an NFL game since tearing his ACL midway through the 2024 season. While he is apparently healthy and looking to get back into the league, it seems unlikely that he'll be welcomed back in San Francisco after essentially abandoning the team for the 2025 campaign. Aiyuk was a very productive player in his last fully healthy season in 2023, recording 75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns on 105 targets across 16 games. Aiyuk could be worth stashing in deeper fantasy leagues just in case he winds up in a new situation and gets back on the field for the second half of the 2026 season.
Source: The Ringer - Tom Pelissero
Source: The Ringer - Tom Pelissero
Jordan Watkins Takes Advantage of Expanded Role
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jordan Watkins made the most of his expanded role during Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders. The 24-year-old saw a bigger role with Mike Evans (Achilles) and Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring) both sidelined this weekend. Watkins hauled in all four of his targets for 86 yards and a touchdown in the win over the Raiders. His biggest play of the day came on a 37-yard touchdown in the third quarter. He set a new career-high in receiving yards with his performance on Sunday. His fantasy value for next week will likely be dependent on whether Evans or Samuel can suit up for the Week 10 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Demarcus Robinson Active Against Raiders
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Demarcus Robinson (ankle) is active for Sunday's Week 9 game against the Las Vegas Raiders, according to Nick Wagoner. Robinson missed five games after spraining his ankle against Miami in Week 2. He caught five passes for 84 yards and a touchdown in his first two games. Robinson was limited Wednesday through Friday, and the 49ers activated him from injured reserve and removed his questionable designation Saturday. San Francisco also placed Christian Kirk (knee) on injured reserve and elevated KhaDarel Hodge. With Mike Evans (ribs, Achilles) and Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring) inactive, Robinson joins Jordan Watkins and Brandin Cooks among the available receivers.
Source: Nick Wagoner
Source: Nick Wagoner
Mike Evans' Availability for Week 10 is in Doubt
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans (ribs, Achilles) is "questionable at best" to return for Week 10 at Dallas, according to Mike Garafolo, who described the Achilles issue as tendinitis. Evans missed all three practices this week, including Friday's final session, and was ruled out against the Las Vegas Raiders. He last played in Week 6 against Washington, catching three passes for 94 yards and exiting just before halftime. Through six games, Evans has 27 catches for 420 yards and three touchdowns. San Francisco placed Christian Kirk on injured reserve Saturday and activated Demarcus Robinson ahead of the Raiders game. In the first game Evans missed, Jordan Watkins caught three passes for 56 yards against Atlanta, and Jacob Cowing added three catches for 38 yards.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Demarcus Robinson Holds Fantasy Potential if Healthy
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Demarcus Robinson (ankle) could find himself thrust into a considerable workload for this weekend's home date with the Las Vegas Raiders. Via technicality, the veteran is listed as questionable on the team's official injury report. However, all indications suggest he will play. If he does, it's fair to assume he'd have a significant role with San Francisco's wide receiver corps severely depleted. On Saturday, the 49ers announced that Christian Kirk (knee) would be placed on IR, joining Mike Evans (ribs, Achilles) and Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring) as pass catchers who won't suit up in Week 9. Robinson's early-season sample is small, but he caught three passes on just a 31% snap share in Week 2 before he left with an injury. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect WR1 numbers, but it's possible he assumes some WR1 duties for quarterback Brock Purdy. Either way, the 32-year-old is a solid speculative add and a fine flex in deeper leagues for the plus matchup.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Brandon Aiyuk Reinstatment Being Delayed Over Bonus Dispute
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) recently met with the organization to discuss being reinstated. Aiyuk submitted the paperwork to be reinstated in late October, but there has yet to be a resolution. The biggest obstacle is the fact that Aiyuk owes the 49ers $13 million in bonus forfeitures. The expectation is that Aiyuk won't be reinstated until he pays back the money to the 49ers. The 28-year-old wideout hasn't played since suffering a torn ACL mid-season during the 2024 campaign. He claims to be fully healthy and ready to play again. It's unlikely that Aiyuk ever takes another snap for the 49ers, but he probably won't be able to continue his career until he pays back the $13 million.
Source: Pro Football Talk
Source: Pro Football Talk
Christian Kirk Placed on Injured Reserve with Knee Injury
The San Francisco 49ers have placed wide receiver Christian Kirk (knee) on injured reserve ahead of Sunday's Week 9 contest against the Las Vegas Raiders, according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports. He will now miss at least four games. Kirk's roster spot will go to wide receiver Demarcus Robinson, who was activated from IR on Saturday. The bad injury news continues for the Niners, who enter this week without receivers Mike Evans (Achilles), Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring), De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle), and Kirk. This is Kirk's second time on injured reserve during the first half of the 2026 season. He missed the first six games of the year with a calf injury, returned to catch zero passes in his season debut in Week 7, was on a bye in Week 8, and is now back on the shelf ahead of Week 9. It's worth noting that this is a different injury than what he dealt with before, as head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed that the veteran receiver is now battling a meniscus issue. Robinson and Brandin Cooks are expected as the Niners' top wide receivers in Week 9, but quarterback Brock Purdy's favorite target will presumably be tight end George Kittle.
Source: Matt Maiocco
Source: Matt Maiocco
Demarcus Robinson Activated From Injured Reserve, Will Play in Week 9
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Demarcus Robinson (ankle) has been activated from injured reserve ahead of Sunday's Week 9 contest against the Las Vegas Raiders, according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports. Additionally, the 32-year-old receiver no longer has an injury designation, which means that he will play this weekend versus Vegas. Robinson flashed upside when healthy this season, catching five passes for 84 yards and one touchdown between Weeks 1 and 2. He could immediately find himself in a meaningful role on Sunday, handling a significant volume share with Mike Evans (Achilles), Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring), Christian Kirk (knee), and De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle) all sidelined. None of the Niners' healthy receivers are extremely appealing in fantasy football this week, but Robinson has the most value (and perhaps the highest ceiling) among the group. He can rank as a solid WR3/flex option in deeper 12+ team leagues.
Source: Matt Maiocco
Source: Matt Maiocco
Commanders Haven't Abandoned the Idea of Adding Brandon Aiyuk
The Washington Commanders "haven't completely abandoned the idea" of trading for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, per Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport of ESPN. Aiyuk has not played in the NFL since tearing his ACL midway through the 2024 season. While the 28-year-old is reportedly fully healthy and looking to get back in the league, he's currently locked in a complicated standoff with the 49ers. Aiyuk reportedly owes San Francisco $13 million in bonus forfeitures after essentially abandoning the team during the 2025 season, and it's unclear how long it will take him to be reinstated from the NFL's reserve/left squad list. Aiyuk was highly productive in his last fully healthy campaign, recording 75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns on 105 targets across 16 games in 2023. Aiyuk carries some deep-league stash appeal for fantasy managers, but it does not appear that his return to the NFL is imminent.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter, Ian Rapoport
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter, Ian Rapoport
Jordan Watkins A Deep-League Dart Throw
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jordan Watkins saw a season-high six targets with Mike Evans (Achilles) and Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring) inactive in Week 7. The latter two receivers have again been ruled out for the 49ers' upcoming game against the Raiders, as has Christian Kirk (knee). Watkins' snap share has been trending upward amid the many recent injuries to the 49ers' wide receiver corps. He led the group with a 76% snap share in each of their last two games and, since Week 4, has seen the most total snaps. While he seems to have leapfrogged Brandin Cooks and edged out Jacob Cowing on the depth chart, Watkins is still working behind Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle, and the team is likely welcoming back Demarcus Robinson (ankle) from the IR on Sunday. The on-field opportunity and soft matchup against an abysmal Las Vegas secondary make Watkins a desperation dart throw for deep league fantasy managers, but he is a bench stash at best in most leagues.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
