San Francisco

49ers

Gay made four field goals and four extra points without missing a kick in two games for the 49ers. But starter Eddy Pinero is healthy enough to be active again, and so the 49ers will move on. Gay joins the workout kicker circuit again and figures to get a third opportunity at some point in the last month of the season.

The Steelers actively pursued Aiyuk last year, but, as Lombardi notes, Pickens was not on the trade block until the 2025 offseason. Aiyuk ultimately stayed in San Francisco on a new contract and the Steelers moved Pickens to Dallas ahead of the 2025 season. The move worked out terrifically for Pickens, who is putting up top-five receiving numbers with the Cowboys. Everyone else involved likely wishes they had handled things differently. Aiyuk has since had guarantees in his contract voided, meaning he and the 49ers are headed for an ugly split after the season. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Steelers pursue him again next offseason.

Fowler notes that Aiyuk played with Jayden Daniels at Arizona State and that Adam Peters, a former San Francisco assistant GM, is running the show in Washington. This is in a hypothetical scenario where Aiyuk becomes a free agent — we don’t necessarily know that we’re going to end up here — but the fact that the 49ers voided his guarantees makes it a plausible idea.

Lynch wouldn’t call it realistic for Aiyuk to suit up for the Niners late in the regular season or the postseason, but said he remained hopeful the wideout would play at some point in 2025. Aiyuk, coming back from a brutal knee injury, has not had his 21-day practice window opened and is unhappy with the team after the Niners reportedly voided his 2026 contract guarantees. The Athletic reported in November that Aiyuk had likely played his final game for the 49ers. It would be shocking if Aiyuk returned in the final weeks of the season.

Juszczyk will be evaluated after the 49ers’ Week 14 bye. The veteran fullback has totaled 20 receptions for 187 yards and one touchdown this season, and continues to serve primarily as a run blocker in Shanahan’s offense.

Robinson now has eight rushing attempts in each of the Niners’ past three games, playing the breather back role behind Christian McCaffrey, who handled 24 touches on Sunday against Cleveland. Robinson should be stashed in all leagues in case CMC misses time with injury down the stretch of the regular season. Robinson would profile as a must-start option in 12-team leagues if McCaffrey were to go down.

Pearsall’s strings of duds stretches into another week. He now has 18 receiving yards over his past three games since returning to the lineup from injury. It’s not that Pearsall isn’t getting playing time. Against the Browns on Sunday, he led the Niners in pass routes. For whatever reason, Pearsall is not part of the team’s passing attack. He’s fourth in the pass-catching pecking order at best. He likely shouldn’t be rostered in 12-team leagues going forward.

Purdy, who has struggled in cold conditions in the past, managed the offense well and made a number of strong throws on Sunday in windy Cleveland. Purdy connected with Jauan Jennings for a short touchdown and ran one in for three yards out, saving his fantasy day against the elite Browns defense. It was a nice bounce back effort for Purdy after last week’s three-interception performance against Carolina. Purdy will be a solid fantasy option in Week 15 against the Titans when the 49ers return from their bye.

Jennings cashed in on a short touchdown grab from Brock Purdy, his fourth touchdown reception of his past five games as the de facto WR1 in the run-heavy 49ers offense. Jennings on Sunday against the Browns led the Niners in targets. He now has at least six targets in each of his past four games. Jennings and the Niners will have their bye next week before returning to face the Titans in Week 15.

Kittle’s highlight came on a 33-yard grab down the sideline over tight coverage. His five targets were second on the team in a low-volume day for the Niners passing offense. Kittle now has 25 receptions over his past four games with the team ramping up his pass game involvement. Kittle will be on bye in Week 14 before facing the Titans in Week 15. He has a favorable schedule down the stretch of the regular season.