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Brandon Aiyuk Brandon Aiyuk Could still play for team in 2025
Sun, Nov 23, 2025, 11:11 AM
The 49ers remain committed to getting Aiyuk (knee) "healthy and back on the field" in 2025, even though the team had approximately $27 million in guarantees for the 2026 season voided in his contract, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Dianna Russini and Michael Silver of The Athletic broke the news Friday about Aiyuk's guaranteed money for 2026 being voided after the 49ers asserted that he failed to fulfill contractual obligations, but head coach Kyle Shanahan noted Saturday that the financial maneuver happened back in late July, per Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com. Shanahan didn't offer many specifics regarding what led to the team's decision to void the guaranteed money, but the coach acknowledged that Aiyuk remains engaged with the team and was at the 49ers' facility doing rehab work for his surgically repaired right knee as recently as Friday. While the 49ers remain optimistic Aiyuk will contribute at some point this season, a target date for his potential debut won't become clearer until the team opens his 21-day practice window. If Aiyuk doesn't end up playing before the season ends, his time in San Francisco could well be over, as the 49ers may be keen on moving on from the wideout during the offseason. A trade would likely be the preferred route if the 49ers part ways with Aiyuk; if he's released outright with no post-June 1 designation, San Francisco would incur a dead-cap charge of $29.585 million. |
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Brandon Aiyuk Brandon Aiyuk May not play for Niners again
Fri, Nov 21, 2025, 6:07 PM
Aiyuk (knee) is considered unlikely to play for the 49ers again after the team voided guarantees in his contract for 2026, Diana Russini and Michael Silver of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: The 49ers reportedly voided the guarantees in response to Aiyuk missing meetings and declining to participate in other team activities the past couple months while he finished up his rehab from last year's ACL tear. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Nov. 10 that he was "pretty confident" Aiyuk would play at some point this season, but it now appears the wideout doesn't want to play for San Francisco at all. With the trade deadline having come and gone, Aiyuk may have to miss the entire season even if he's physically ready to play soon (which may not be the case). He's in the first season of a four-year, $130 million extension, but the report suggests Aiyuk will angle for his release this offseason, rather than filing a grievance or agreeing to play on a non-guaranteed salary. He'll turn 28 in March and shouldn't lack for free-agent suitors if it comes to that. |
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Jacob Cowing Jacob Cowing Expected to practice following bye
Mon, Nov 17, 2025, 4:12 PM
Coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that Cowing's (hamstring) 21-day practice window will likely be opened following the 49ers' Week 14 bye, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Analysis: Cowing has yet to play this season after he injured his hamstring during training camp. The 2024 fourth-round pick has seemingly dealt with hamstring issues for most of his two seasons in the league. He recorded four catches for 80 yards on very minimal playing time as a rookie last season. |
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Brandon Aiyuk Brandon Aiyuk Out for Week 12, still week-to-week
Mon, Nov 17, 2025, 2:22 PM
Coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that Aiyuk's (knee) 21-day practice window will not be opened this week, and he remains week-to-week, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Aiyuk will not play in next Monday night's Week 12 game against the Panthers, and he doesn't appear to be particularly close to a return to game action. The 49ers have a Week 14 bye, so perhaps Aiyuk will be able to practice at some point before that and potentially play prior to the end of the regular season. For now, the Niners will continue to roll with Ricky Pearsall, Jauan Jennings and Kendrick Bourne as their three main wideouts. |
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Luke Farrell Luke Farrell No receptions Sunday
Mon, Nov 17, 2025, 1:29 PM
Farrell was not target as a receiver in Sunday's 41-22 victory over Arizona.
Analysis: Farrell was able to nab his second touchdown of the season against the Rams last week, but he reverted to his blocking role against the Cardinals on Sunday. The veteran backup logged 16 snaps on offense (29 percent) behind George Kittle's dominant 6-67-2 receiving line. Farrell's fantasy value is completely dependent on vulturing short touchdowns from Kittle, which keeps the former off the fantasy radar for Week 12. |
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Skyy Moore Skyy Moore Returns kickoff 98 yards Sunday
Mon, Nov 17, 2025, 1:16 PM
Moore was not targeted as a receiver while returning two kicks for 107 combined yards in Sunday's 41-22 win over Arizona.
Analysis: Moore got things cooking for the 49ers when he ran back the game's opening kickoff for 98 yards. The return specialist was ran down at the one-yard line, which opened the door for Christian McCaffrey to finish off the easiest opening scoring drive in recent memory. Moore's impact was only felt in the return game, as he did not garner a target in the blowout win with Ricky Pearsall (knee) back in the fold. Fantasy managers can expect similar involvement from Moore in next Monday's tilt against Carolina. |
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Brian Robinson Brian Robinson Gains 24 yards Sunday
Mon, Nov 17, 2025, 1:06 PM
Robinson rushed eight times for 24 yards while failing to bring in his only target in Sunday's 41-22 win over Arizona.
Analysis: Robinson couldn't extend his modest touchdown streak to three games, instead finishing with his worst per-carry average (3.0 yards) since Week 5. The eight carries were the lone bright spot for the veteran backup, which eclipsed the 4.9 carries he averaged entering Sunday's divisional matchup. While single-digit touches shouldn't inspire excitement from GMs in standard leagues, Robinson could provide value for those in deeper formats if San Francisco builds an early lead against the Panthers next Monday. |
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Demarcus Robinson Demarcus Robinson Nabs one reception as No. 3 WR
Mon, Nov 17, 2025, 12:57 PM
Robinson had one reception on two targets for 13 yards in Sunday's 41-22 victory over the Cardinals.
Analysis: Robinson (27 snaps) stuck in the No. 3 role ahead of Kendrick Bourne (13 snaps) following the return of starter Ricky Pearsall (knee) in Sunday's blowout win. The 30-year-old Robinson failed to build off of last week's improved results (3-34-0), instead posting his fourth game recording one or fewer receptions through eight appearances in 2025. Robinson has not been a good fit in San Francisco, making him a risky play in fantasy against the Panthers next Monday. |
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Kendrick Bourne Kendrick Bourne Falls out of favor Sunday
Mon, Nov 17, 2025, 12:45 PM
Bourne was not targeted as a receiver in Sunday's 41-22 win over the Cardinals.
Analysis: Bourne saw his target share evaporate completely after recording just one catch in the 49ers' last contest. The healthy return of Ricky Pearsall (knee) was the primary reason for the fill-in starter's demotion. Bourne was on the field for 13 snaps on offense (24 percent), finishing behind third-string wideout Demarcus Robinson (29 percent) in the pecking order for playing time. If any managers were still hanging on to Bourne following his brief run of fantasy utility earlier in the schedule, they can safely move off the veteran ahead of next Monday's tilt against Carolina. |
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George Kittle George Kittle Carries over hot play from Week 10
Sun, Nov 16, 2025, 10:17 PM
Kittle hauled in all six of his targets for 67 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 41-22 rout of the Cardinals.
Analysis: Kittle welcomed back starting quarterback Brock Purdy (toe) with literal open arms, getting wide open in the end zone on two separate occasions. The talented duo picked up right where they left off when they last played together back in Week 1, when Kittle hit pay dirt before suffering a hamstring injury that would land the tight end on injured reserve. The 31-year-old Kittle was already coming off of a season-best performance against the Rams in Week 10 (9-84-1), with Sunday's two-score day officially putting the fantasy stud on a hot streak. Kittle will attempt to one-up himself against the Panthers under the bright lights of Monday Night Football in Week 12. |
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Jauan Jennings Jauan Jennings Gains 54 yards in blowout
Sun, Nov 16, 2025, 10:11 PM
Jennings had four receptions on six targets for 54 yards in Sunday's 41-22 win over the Cardinals.
Analysis: Ricky Pearsall (knee) returned to the starting lineup following a five-game absence, but Jennings still led all San Francisco wide receivers in targets and production Sunday. RB Christian McCaffrey and TE George Kittle accounted for all of the scoring, leaving Jennings with a pedestrian fantasy score despite finishing in a three-way tie for the team lead in targets. Jennings will attempt to get back into the scoring column against the Panthers next Monday after hitting pay dirt in each of his previous two appearances. |
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Christian McCaffrey Christian McCaffrey Scores thrice in dominant win
Sun, Nov 16, 2025, 8:25 PM
McCaffrey rushed 13 times for 81 yards and two touchdowns while bringing in five of six targets for 40 yards and a third score in Sunday's 41-22 rout of the Cardinals.
Analysis: McCaffrey took full advantage of a soft defensive matchup en route to the fifth three-score game of his decorated career. After being held out of the end zone on the ground through the first five weeks of the season, CMC has run wild with six rushing touchdowns over San Francisco's last six contests. The improved rushing totals haven't come at the expense of the versatile superstar's production through the air, as he upped his stellar receiving line to 74-732-5 through 11 starts. A red-hot McCaffrey will set his sights on his former club in a primetime tilt against the Panthers on Monday Night Football in Week 12. |
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Ricky Pearsall Ricky Pearsall Just one catch in return
Sun, Nov 16, 2025, 7:34 PM
Pearsall (knee) had one reception on three targets for no gain in Sunday's 41-22 win over the Cardinals.
Analysis: Pearsall returned to the starting lineup after missing the 49ers' last five contests with a right knee injury. That's where the positive news ends after the sophomore wideout failed to gain a yard with his only touch Sunday. Jauan Jennings (5-54-0) was the only other wide receiver to finish with more targets than Pearsall, so the latter's lack of involvement was likely due to an unfavorable game script. QB Brock Purdy did take a deep shot at Pearsall on one of the duo's two missed connections, and the wideout showed his usual burst down the field despite the good defensive coverage. Pearsall averaged 5.0 receptions and 81.8 yards in the four games he appeared in prior to getting injured, so there is hope for improved results against the Panthers next Monday. |
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Brock Purdy Brock Purdy Healthy stat line in return
Sun, Nov 16, 2025, 6:58 PM
Purdy (toe) completed 19 of 26 pass attempts for 200 yards and three touchdowns while losing seven yards on his only carry in Sunday's 41-22 win over the Cardinals.
Analysis: Purdy made a triumphant return from a turf toe injury that cost the signal-caller six weeks of action, tossing a trio of touchdowns with no turnovers in a decisive victory over a division opponent. The 25-year-old connected in the end zone with top weapons Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle (twice) as San Francisco's offense looked as healthy as it has since Week 1. Purdy had thrown as many touchdowns (four) as interceptions in his previous two starts this season, neither of which he exited at full strength. Assuming that he escaped Sunday's win with a clean bill of health, fantasy managers can feel comfortable again starting Purdy against the Panthers on Monday Night Football in Week 12. |
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Jordan Watkins Jordan Watkins Inactive against Cardinals
Sun, Nov 16, 2025, 2:06 PM
Watkins (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Briana Jeannel of the 49ers' official site reports.
Analysis: A new inactive, the wide receiver failed to record a reception in Week 10. Watkins' new status is likely to be related to the return of 2024 first-round pick Ricky Pearsall, who is set to start his first game since Week 4. |
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Jordan James Jordan James Healthy scratch
Sun, Nov 16, 2025, 1:52 PM
James (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Briana Jeannel of the 49ers' official site reports.
Analysis: The running back continues to be a healthy scratch for the 10th consecutive week. Christian McCaffrey, Brian Robinson and Isaac Guerendo remain ahead of James on the depth chart. |
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Brock Purdy Brock Purdy No restrictions Sunday
Sun, Nov 16, 2025, 11:45 AM
Purdy (toe) will be playing with no restrictions during Sunday's game against the Cardinals and will require no extra padding or a special shoe to protect his foot, Jay Glazer reported on "Fox NFL Sunday."
Analysis: Glazer added that Purdy experienced more than a typical setback after aggravating the toe injury in Week 4, though the quarterback was still able to avoid surgery. Purdy will be making his third start of the season Sunday, while Mac Jones returns to the backup role. |
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Mac Jones Mac Jones Drops back to backup role
Fri, Nov 14, 2025, 5:59 PM
Jones will return to a backup role with teammate Brock Purdy (toe) cleared to start Sunday's game against the Cardinals.
Analysis: Jones won five of eight starts, completing 69.6 percent of passes for 7.4 YPA, with 13 touchdowns and six interceptions. He didn't offer much on the ground -- 64 yards, no TDs -- and was thus merely adequate for fantasy, but his steady hand helped RB Christian McCaffrey put up points in bunches. Jones is signed through 2026, which means the 49ers may field trade calls this offseason from QB-needy teams. |
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Ricky Pearsall Ricky Pearsall Returning to action Sunday
Fri, Nov 14, 2025, 4:01 PM
Pearsall (knee) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Pearsall hasn't played in a game since Sept. 28 and was absent from practice for well over a month, but coach Kyle Shanahan's track record suggests the second-year wideout could jump right back into a significant workload. Unlike earlier this season, Pearsall will be part of an offense that has both Jauan Jennings and George Kittle healthy. Pearsall opened the season with 327 yards on 29 targets in less than four full games before suffering the PCL injury Week 4. |
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Ricky Pearsall Ricky Pearsall Another limited session
Thu, Nov 13, 2025, 6:32 PM
Pearsall (knee) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Pearsall has maintained his activity level in his first two official practices since he suffered a PCL injury in his right knee Week 4. He also told Vic Tafur of The Athletic on Thursday that he's "feeling like myself" now, but it remains to be seen how he'll be listed, if at all, on the 49ers' final injury report of the week Friday ahead of Sunday's contest at Arizona. If Pearsall is able to suit up this weekend, he'll be working with normal starting signal-caller Brock Purdy (toe), who practiced fully Thursday before coach Kyle Shanahan announced on KNBR San Francisco that the QB was returning to action. |
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