Jordan

Watkins

Jennings is very difficult to trust after last week’s meltdown. He was limited twice to begin the week, and we do not yet know his Friday participation level. At this point, the big-bodied wide receiver can only be viewed as a boom-bust WR4/FLEX option. If and when he resumes practicing in full consistently, we will be able to upgrade him to WR3 status. 49ers rookie WR Jordan Watkins (calf) is also expected to play this weekend.

We were just thinking the 49ers wideout projections needed another variable to deal with. Watkins briefly wowed in training camp before dealing with a high-ankle sprain and later this calf issue. It’s possible he cuts into some veteran playing time if the 49ers wideout room remains unsettled, but he’s not someone to rush and pick up in re-draft leagues without seeing some real signs of fantasy life.

Purdy remained sidelined all week, as did WR Ricky Pearsall, who is dealing with a PCL sprain in his knee. Just eight days ago, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Purdy is considered week-to-week, so the starting quarterback’s absence is hardly surprising. Hopefully, Purdy can remain setback-free and return for the 49ers’ Week 7 game against the Falcons, though that outcome should not be viewed as guaranteed. The 49ers also ruled out WR Jordan Watkins (calf), DL Kevin Givens (pectoral) and EDGE Yetur Gross-Matos (knee/hamstring).

49ers starting QB Brock Purdy (toe/left shoulder) has been cleared to play, so Jones has been put back into the No. 2 spot. He played admirably in his two starts, completing 53-of-80 passes for 563 yards, four touchdowns and one interception and rushing seven times for five yards despite aggravating a summer PCL sprain in Week 3. For fantasy managers in two-quarterback leagues with no one better to stash, he can be left on the bench this week to see how Purdy’s health holds up. For everyone else, he can be dropped. The 49ers also ruled out WR Jordan Watkins (calf) and DT CJ West (thumb). FB Kyle Juszczyk passed the NFL’s concussion protocol and will be active for Week 4 against the Jaguars.

Watkins is expected to miss three or four weeks after injuring his calf on Thursday. The rookie wide receiver cannot catch a break. He was considered a candidate to assume Nos. 3 or 4 wide receivers duties at one point in training camp, but his progress was derailed by an ankle injury. Having successfully rehabbed that, he is unfortunately now dealing with a new issue.

Watkins is listed as a limited participant, which suggests the once-hyped rookie wide receiver strained his calf in practice. It’s a brutal development for a young player who just rehabbed an ankle injury. Watkins is seemingly unlikely to suit up in Week 3 against the Cardinals.

Before injuring his ankle in mid-August, Watkins was competing for one of the team’s top-four wide receiver roles. Training camp reports indicated that the rookie looked good. Watkins is unlikely to meaningfully contribute this week but wide receiver-needy fantasy managers can stash him on benches to see how things shake out in the short term. 49ers RB Jordan James (finger) and will also make his 2025 debut this week.

This morning’s reports indicate McCaffrey is a “full go” for Week 1. Players managing soft tissue injuries are not without re-injury risk, but McCaffrey is likely locked in for an RB1-level workload in the 49ers’ efficient offense and logic dictates that the team would shut him down if the injury was more than a mild strain. No. 2 RB Brian Robinson is still absorbing the 49ers’ playbook, which makes his rotational workload difficult to project. He’s a low-floor FLEX. The 49ers declared WR Jordan Watkins (ankle), RB Jordan James (finger), OL Drew Moss, OL Austen Pleasants, DT Jordan Jefferson, DE Robert Beal Jr., and LB Nick Martin inactive for Week 1 against the Seahawks.

James and WR Jordan Watkins (ankle) were seemingly headed in the right direction, but head coach Kyle Shanahan is often reticent to trust rookies, so maybe the team is just playing it safe with two players who are unlikely to take the field anyway. With Christian McCaffrey (calf) questionable, it’s possible the team chooses to keep James active if McCaffrey is unable to go. James could be stashed on deep-league benches, if need be.

James should be available for the 49ers at this point, if they need him against the Seahawks on Sunday. Christian McCaffrey notably appeared on the injury report with a calf injury today, and although there is no reason to panic, it’s good to be familiar with the 49ers’ RB depth chart. James currently sits fourth behind Brian Robinson and Isaac Guerendo. 49ers rookie WR Jordan Watkins (ankle) returned to practice in a limited capacity today.