RapSheet: Contract discussions for Gibbs ‘not as active’

While the end line looks good in the box score, the fact that Diggs continued to operate in a situational role following the departure of Terry McLaurin in the first quarter was somewhat concerning for the veteran receiver’s upside potential in McLaurin’s absence, although the fact that he came into the game listed as questionable with a hamstring injury could have influenced his snap rate. Either way, Diggs continues to produce when on the field, returning significant value for fantasy managers that invested a middle-round pick for his services this summer. Diggs will be an upside WR3 when the Commanders take on the division rival Eagles in Week 8 following their bye.

While the yardage total looks solid on paper, the fact that Williams had only four targets in a game in which veteran wide receiver Terry McLaurin departed in the first quarter and quarterback Jayden Daniels attempted 40 passes in concerning. Williams continues to flash big play upside through a multitude of injuries to teammates but has yet to fully take advantage of the increase in opportunity, something fantasy managers will hope corrects when the Commanders come out of their bye to face the Eagles in Week 8.

Burks stepped into an increased role in the offense following the first quarter injury to Terry McLaurin, the latter of whom appears to have suffered a significant knee injury. The six targets ranked third on the team behind tight end Chig Okonkwo and veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs, but a late injury could immediately halt his momentum. Burks was injured on a contested ball in the end zone on fourth down with just over two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and was escorted to the locker room by training staff. Fantasy managers interested in a potential waiver addition will want to track updates from the team regarding his health in the coming days.

Chan speculates that the window for his recovery could align with the team’s Week 8 bye week, meaning Evans would miss just one game with an aggravation of the Achilles injury that had him listed as questionable heading into Monday Night Football against the Commanders. All things considered, it’s solid news for Evans, the 49ers, and his fantasy managers. Expect a more concrete update from the team in the coming days as they limp into a Week 7 game against the Falcons down plentiful impact wide receivers.

Okonkwo was thrust into an increased role with the departure of lead wide receiver Terry McLaurin in the first quarter, operating as the primary option through the air for much of the game. Veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs continued to operate in a situational role, making Okonkwo a priority start when the Commanders come out of their Week 7 bye to face the Eagles in Week 8.

The Commanders immediately found themselves in a negative game environment, managing just 17 offensive plays and 90 yards of total offense in the first half. While White found the end zone from nine yards out in the fourth quarter on an in-breaking route, the backfield split amongst White, Jeremy McNichols, and Austin Ekeler was troubling for fantasy managers looking to the former as a potential option with lead back Jacory Croskey-Merritt on injured reserve. White and the Commanders head to their bye week at a 1-4-1 record and some serious questions to answer, the least of which is the current state of their backfield.

The Commanders gained just 90 yards of total offense and ran just 17 offensive plays in the first half, taking a 20-3 deficit into the break. Two quick touchdown drives to end the third quarter and begin the fourth quarter had the team in position to pull off an improbable comeback but two critical errors from Daniels sank that effort. The first error occurred on fourth down in the red zone with just over two minutes to play, when the team was late to break the huddle and ended up taking their first timeout down by six. They would fail to convert but would get the ball back with no timeouts and 52 seconds left. Daniels then committed an intentional grounding penalty from the San Francisco 28 with 16 seconds left, which incurred a loss of down and a 10-second runoff on the clock. The game would end on the following play. That now makes consecutive contests with late-game clock mismanagement that cost the Commanders potential wins. Rumors continue to swirl about a potential coaching change as the Commanders limp into their bye at a 1-4-1 record.

Evans came into the game with two injury designations, ribs and Achilles, ultimately suiting up. He limped to the locker room with the help of training staff and was seen in the tunnel pointing to his Achilles. The 33-year-old receiver has been on the injury report for much of the season, with the most recent ailment potentially proving to be too much to play through. Expect an update from the team after the half. Evans caught 3-of-5 targets for 94 yards prior to departing. 49ers beat reporter Jennifer Lee Chan reported after the game that Evans’ Achilles is intact but will “miss a little time.”

The mechanism of the injury did not look promising, with the veteran receiver buckling to the turf in non-contact fashion. It’s a devastating development for the 31-year-old receiver in what was the first game since Week 1 where Jayden Daniels, McLaurin, and Stefon Diggs were healthy together. Expect further updates from the team as the game progresses, but it certainly appears as if McLaurin’s season could be in jeopardy. McLaurin caught his only target for 27 yards prior to departing. Rookie Antonio Williams and Treylon Burks are the most likely fill-ins for the remainder of the game, and, potentially, the season.

Say it ain’t so, a former Rodgers favorite set to rejoin him during his twilight tour. Valdes-Scantling is reportedly set to sign to the Pittsburgh practice squad and could work his way to the active roster considering the absence of Michael Pittman, the latter of whom was moved to injured reserve Saturday. There likely won’t be any fantasy value to speak of.