NFL Player News

Nacua looks to have mostly recovered from a knee injury he suffered in camp. The Rams were expecting to have him ready for Week 1 and he returned to practice last week. While still on the injury report, Nacua logged a full practice for the first official practice of the week, indicating he will be clear for Week 1 against the Lions. Though competing for targets with Cooper Kupp, Nacua profiles as a low-end WR1 heading into the season.

Aiyuk came into the game on a loose snap restriction following his offseaosn hold-in as a sought a new contract, something the coaching staff made good on against the Jets. Aiyuk should return to his previous status as one of the most efficient wide receivers in the league as he continues towards a return to game shape in the coming weeks. That could happen as early as Week 2 when the 49ers travel to Minnesota to face he Vikings, particularly so if Christian McCaffrey misses another contest.

Kittle was kept in to block at elevated rates against the vaunted Jets pass rush, particular considering the absence of Christian McCaffrey and reduced role of Brandon Aiyuk. Kittle is unlikely to ever see consistent targets, instead relying on extreme efficiency and touchdowns to return fantasy value. Expect his wide weekly range of outcomes to continue forward, always capable of being the top tight end in a give week and also capable of being leveraged as an elite blocker in others.

Jennings saw a slight uptick in snap rate with Brandon Aiyuk on a loose snap restriction following the latter’s hold-in this offseason. While the fantasy returns were less than promising, the fact Jennings led the team in receiving is noteworthy. Even so, Jennings can be left on the waiver wire in all but the deepest fantasy leagues moving forward.

Samuel was clearly the focal point of the offense in the first half before the team rode former undrafted free agent running back Jordan Mason to a comfortable victory. His nine targets and eight carries combined for 17 total opportunities on a night no other pass-catcher saw more than five targets. Samuel will remain an integral piece of the offense moving forward, particularly in games played without Christian McCaffrey. Start Samuel with confidence for the remainder of the season.

Mason was largely bottled up in the first quarter before erupting the rest of the way, going into the half with almost 90 yards on the ground alone. He would continue to be the key cog for the offense in the second half as the 49ers pulled away from the Jets. It’s not difficult to look good in a Kyle Shanahan offense, but Mason indeed looked competent with the opportunity. He is sure to be a priority add off waivers heading into Week 2 considering Christian McCaffrey’s calf and Achilles issues remain a hinderance.

Purdy simply wasn’t required to do much after Mason got going, with the former undrafted free agent running back erupting for 147 yards and a score on the ground on a night the 49ers held the football for almost 39 minutes. But the team got the comfortable victory and scored more than 30 points yet again, something that has become commonplace with Purdy under center. Both touchdowns scored by the team came on the ground, one each to Mason and Deebo Samuel, while kicker Jake Moody went a perfect 6-for-6 on field goal attempts to propel the team to victory. The 49ers hit the road to face the Vikings in Minnesota in Week 2.

More troubling than the two targets is the fact that both came from backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor after Aaron Rodgers left the game with just over four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Conklin played a full allotment of snaps so he could yet prove useful in fantasy circles, but to be blanked on a night where three players combined for 26 targets on 29 pass attempts is troublesome.

Williams saw fewer snaps than most assumed in Week 1, ending the night with under 10 total offensive snaps after seeing just four in the first half. Rodgers and the Jets will eventually need his services on the field after Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall, and Allen Lazard commanded 26 targets on just 29 team pass attempts.

Wilson understandably drew alpha coverage by a stingy 49ers secondary, struggling to shake free in all areas of his route tree. Even so, the 10 targets on just 21 Aaron Rodgers pass attempts handily led the team on a night the team managed to hold the football for under 22 minutes. Wilson would see one additional target from backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor on the team’s final possession of the game. Better fantasy performances are sure to lie ahead for one of the league’s most talented pass-catchers.

Lazard’s first touchdown came on a free play at the end of the third quarter after a defender jumped offside, hitting the seam between the safety and corner in zone coverage for a 36-yard strike to pay dirt. He would then tack on an additional score with just 25 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter on a ball thrown from backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor from three yards out. Fantasy managers shouldn’t count on consistent production from Lazard considering recent addition Mike Williams played sparingly as the team works him back easy from a torn ACL suffered in Week 3 of the 2023 season.