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    Kaelon Black runs as lead back with CMC out

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    SF Running Back #26
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    The Athletic’s Matt Barrows reports Kaelon Black is operating as the 49ers lead back with Christian McCaffrey (tightness) sidelined.

    Black had missed two weeks with a thigh injury before emerging as the clear top running back with McCaffrey sidelined. Barrows said Black “certainly didn’t look rusty, taking an early carry to the left for 50 yards and showing violence and strength on several ensuing runs. Black also had a catch at the goal line in a red zone drill.” Niners players and coaches were impressed by Black, who was taken with the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. “I thought he looked good hitting the hole and running hard,” Brock Purdy said. “You could tell there was a different level of intensity when he touched the ball.” With Jordan James struggling through a broken rib, Black will have a real chance to establish himself as the Niners’ RB2 ahead of the regular season. Black should be stashed in deeper fantasy formats in case CMC, 30, misses time in 2026.
Which HC with a new team was most impressive?
Devin McCourty, Jason Garrett and Jac Collinsworth discuss the head coaches on new teams that had the most impressive performances in Week 1, breaking down how Joe Brady and Mike LaFleur had strong starts to the season.

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  • SF Running Back #23
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    McCaffrey’s usage was a bit underwhelming in the first half of Thursday’s win. The 30-year-old running back played on 20 offensive snaps to Kaelon Black’s, while Black’s seven rush attempts more than doubled the three carries we saw from CMC, who also saw six first-half targets. McCaffrey’s second-half usage saw a slight uptick, but it’s possible some of what we saw as it pertains to last night’s split was related to this cramping issue. McCaffrey was undoubtedly the more efficient of the two Niners backs in last night’s win, but Black was solid in his debut, rushing 14 times for 65 yards. McCaffrey should be positioned for a big Week 2 game next week against the Dolphins.
  • SF Running Back #26
    It was Black’s NFL debut, and all things considered, it was a pretty good one. The former Indiana star had four more carries than Christian McCaffrey and was much more involved in the rushing attack in the first half, though CMC was obviously a factor in the passing attack and Black had just one catch for five yards. It wasn’t the most impressive statline you’ll see from a debut, but there were definitely flashes that suggest success for the 24-year-old. Black and the 49ers will get a chance to face the Dolphins in Week 2.
  • SF Running Back #29
    James has officially lost the backup job to rookie RB Kaelon Black, who should be safely stashed on fantasy benches before kickoff. The 49ers also declared QB Kurtis Rourke, CB Ephesians Prysock, WR Jordan Watkins, LB Tatum Bethune and OT Enrique Cruz inactive for Week 1 against the Rams.
  • SF Running Back #26
    Black had a nice run to the right side of the field before subbing out, which ultimately required him to spin over the top of the camera stand positioned awkwardly on the sideline. He seemingly escaped without injury and, most importantly, took 12-of-12 possible snaps on the first three drives. Black is the 49ers’ running back to stash on fantasy benches. Fellow RB Jordan James has recovered from the fractured rib he suffered late in July, but the time he missed in August has him behind Black on the depth chart.
  • SF Running Back #26
    He missed about two weeks of camp. There’s still time for him to impress the coaches, but Black probably needs to leave a lasting impression over these next two weeks to make a dent in Jordan James’ RB2 status.
  • SF Wide Receiver #5
    The injuries continue to mount for the 49ers early in camp. Evans is reportedly dealing with a quad strain that we will hopefully learn more about later, and rookie De’Zhaun Stribling (hamstring) and Kaelon Black (adductor) are also missing Monday’s practice due to injuries. The recent string of injuries now makes for four receivers the Niners have seen go down in camp, with Christian Kirk (calf) and Ricky Pearsall (knee) both being injured last week. We will check back in when we receive updates on the status of these players.
  • SF Running Back #29
    James possibly had an edge over rookie Kaelon Black for the No. 2 gig in San Francisco heading into camp, but that is entirely out the window now. With Isaac Guerendo also injured, Black is already the last man standing behind Christian McCaffrey. With a decent training camp, he will enter the season as the backup to the most valuable running back in all of fantasy football. Black is officially one of the better late-round dart throws, particularly in leagues with deeper benches.
  • SF Running Back #29
    Wagoner said he saw “some good stuff” from James as a rusher and receiver today, but noted it’s still early. Today was the 49ers’ first training camp practice. Wagoner’s notes seemed to indicate rookie RB Kaelon Black is in the No. 3 spot while veteran RB Patrick Taylor Jr. sits at No. 4. Things can change quickly, but today’s report backs up what we catalogued here from March through May — that James is next up behind starting RB Christian McCaffrey. He is a worthwhile late-round dart throw in summer drafts right now.
  • SF Running Back #31
    49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan broke the news this afternoon. This is a bummer. Earlier this month, The Athletic’s Vic Tafur said he believed Guerendo was “buried” on the depth chart and will likely “be looking for a new team” at some point. The team could end up releasing him with an injury settlement, but we suppose some sort of reserve list placement is possible. 49ers RBs Jordan James and Kaelon Black can be expected to compete for RB2 duties at this time. The team also signed RBs Jordan Mims and Jermar Jefferson today.
  • SF Running Back
    Shockingly and inexplicably the second running back off the draft board in the 2026 NFL Draft, Black out of Indiana appears to be a solid-enough blocker who might earn snaps behind Christian McCaffrey this season. Jordan James, Barrow added, remains the likely RB2 behind McCaffrey. Black’s blocking ability “won’t make him popular in fantasy football circles, but it’s something a rookie needs to prove before he gets meaningful snaps.” In 32 pass-blocking opportunities in 2025, Black did not allow a quarterback hit while giving up two QB pressures. If he proves himself a reliable blocker in training camp, Black could see significant snaps in the 49ers offense.

Rotoworld

  • NYG Wide Receiver #88
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    Malachi Fields caught 2-of-4 targets for 25 yards in the Giants’ Week 1 win over the Cowboys.

    The rookie wide receiver showcased an all-around polished skillset that included trust in the run game, reinforcing offseason reports that he had locked down the WR2 role opposite Malik Nabers. His 6'4, 220-pound frame was on full display as he was continually utilized as both a down-blocker and blocker in the second level on runs, something that should allow him to continue to operate as the clear-cut WR2 for the Giants throughout his rookie campaign. That said, the box scores highlights the obvious distinction that his snap rate won’t always translate to fantasy production while playing alongside Nabers and tight end Isaiah Likely, the latter two of whom commanded 17 targets on 29 Jaxson Dart pass attempts. The good news is that he played well ahead of veterans Darnell Mooney and Odell Beckham Jr. Fantasy managers are best off viewing Fields as a high-end stash at the end of benches for the time being.
  • NYG Wide Receiver #1
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    Malik Nabers caught 6-of-9 targets for 69 yards in the Giants’ Week 1 win over the Cowboys.

    Nabers took his decision to play all the way up to inactives, ultimately deeming himself healthy enough to take the field against a divisional rival. Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy didn’t take long to knock the rust off his alpha receiver, giving him a quick out on his first target to get his feet wet and get into the flow of the game. Nabers would make numerous athletic plays from that point forward, combining with newcomer tight end Isaiah Likely to account for 17 targets on only 29 Jaxson Dart pass attempts. Fantasy managers can likely project that volume forward as the offense appeared to run entirely through its top two options through the air in the opening game. Nabers gets a difficult matchup against the Rams in Week 2, where he remains a back end WR1 in fantasy circles.
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    Isaiah Likely caught all eight targets for 78 yards and two touchdowns in the Giants’ Week 1 win over the Cowboys.

    Making his debut for a new team, Likely didn’t wait long to prove he can be a featured tight end for the Giants, scoring on the final possession of the first half and first possession after the break. His first score highlighted his athleticism as he escaped coverage to the corner of the end zone from 15 yards out while his second trip to paint was reminiscent of a Nagy design for Travis Kelce in which the veteran tight end shed a chip-block in the flat for an easy score from two yards. Likely looks every bit of a fantasy TE1 but gets a difficult matchup against the Rams in Week 2. Even so, you’re starting him if you got him.
  • NYG Running Back #44
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    Cam Skattebo rushed 18 times for 81 yards and a touchdown in the Giants’ Week 1 win over the Cowboys.

    Although Skattebo was not targeted in the pass game, his 18 carries handily led the team. Furthermore, presumed backup Tyrone Tracy lost a fumble on one of his two carries, resulting in Devin Singletary taking over primary backup duties for the remainder of the game. Those two variables should keep Skattebo’s weekly volume high after showing no ill effects of the devastating ankle injury suffered in 2025. His touchdown now gives him eight total scores in nine professional appearances despite only six of those being starts, a rate that will keep Skattebo in the weekly RB1 discussion moving forward. That said, fantasy managers could be forced to test their depth ahead of a Week 2 matchup against the Rams on the road.
  • NYG Quarterback #6
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    Jaxson Dart completed 23-of-29 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns in the Giants’ 28-20, Week 1 win over the Cowboys, adding 54 yards on 11 carries.

    Dart managed to convert 9-of-10 third downs as the Giants completely controlled the flow of the game against their divisional rivals, leading to over 13 more minutes of possession than the Cowboys. Fantasy managers will also be ecstatic about the 11 rush attempts, specifically due to the fact that over half of those were designed carries in Matt Nagy’s offense. Touchdown passes to tight end Isaiah Likely book-ended halftime, with the second-year quarterback adding a third to running back Devin Singletary in the fourth quarter. Nagy’s offense appears to be locked into the team’s top two options through the air, highlighted by the 17 combined targets filtered to Malik Nabers and Likely. Dart’s passing volume could see a significant uptick when the Giants hit the road to face the Rams in Week 2, during which fantasy managers can treat him as a back end QB1.
  • DAL Wide Receiver #19
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    Ryan Flournoy caught 2-of-4 targets for 22 yards in the Cowboys’ Week 1 loss to the Giants.

    The veteran receiver inked a one-year contract extension this offseason to retain his supporting role in the high-powered Dallas offense, but the early returns were less than inspiring. Flournoy appeared to have a stranglehold on the WR3 duties for the Cowboys but will be hard-pressed to return consistent fantasy production for as long as both CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens remain healthy. He’ll be a boom-bust WR4 in a plus matchup against the Commanders in Week 2.
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    Jake Ferguson caught both targets for six yards in the Cowboys’ Week 1 loss to the Giants.

    The Cowboys were dominated in both time of possession and total offense on a night the Giants converted 9-of-10 third downs, resulting in the poor showing in the box scores for the veteran tight end. Ferguson’s stark fantasy splits when both CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens are healthy remain a concern for fantasy managers that invested a middle-round pick in his services, something that a home matchup against a forgiving Commanders defense could remedy. Even so, Ferguson is nothing more than a middling TE2 in Week 2.
  • DAL Wide Receiver #3
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    George Pickens caught 3-of-6 targets for 28 yards in the Cowboys’ Week 1 loss to the Giants.

    Pickens picked up two early receptions on the team’s first two possessions, contributing further by drawing a defensive pass interference penalty that would set up a CeeDee Lamb touchdown in the second quarter. An untimely drop on third down near the end of the first quarter halted any momentum he had in the box score as he would go on to notch a lone additional catch the rest of the game. The Cowboys managed only 52 offensive plays as they were dominated in both total offense and time of possession, while watching their defense allow the Giants to go 9-of-10 on third down. It is likely we see much more inspiring fantasy production the remainder of the season as Pickens plays out the year on the franchise tag. He enters a Week 2 home showdown against the Commanders as an upside WR2.
  • DAL Wide Receiver #88
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    CeeDee Lamb caught 5-of-8 targets for 44 yards and a touchdown in the Cowboys’ Week 1 loss to the Giants.

    Although eventually leading the team in both targets and receiving, Lamb got off to a slow start while committing an early drop. He would score from one yard out in the second quarter after a Javonte Williams touchdown was ruled short of the goal line and also draw a defensive pass interference penalty in the second half that would lead to a Williams score, but he was otherwise removed from the game through defensive scheming. Better days are likely ahead for the perennial WR1, which starts in a Week 2 home showdown against another divisional opponent in the Commanders.
  • DAL Running Back #33
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    Javonte Williams rushed 12 times for 41 yards and a touchdown in the Cowboys’ Week 1 loss to the Giants, adding five receptions for 31 yards and a touchdown.

    Williams understandably operated as a clear workhorse for a Cowboys team with little depth at the position following Malik Davis’ season-ending injury earlier in the week. His two second half scores and five receptions masked poor rushing efficiency on a night the Cowboys ran only 52 offensive plays, although a robust 32.7 percent total opportunity share foreshadows the potential for continued elite counting stats for the remainder of the regular season. Fantasy managers can continue to start Williams as a volume-driven RB1 as the team prepares to host the Commanders in Week 2.