Tyrion

Davis-Price

The Niners will surely rest Christian McCaffrey, who sustained a calf injury last week against Washington. Barrows believes the 49ers are unlikely to play the injury-plagued Elijah Mitchell, leaving Mason as the RB1 against the Rams in a largely meaningless Week 18 game. Tyron Davis-Price, Barrow said, could be activated from the practice squad for the team’s final regular season game. Mason has impressed with a 5.6 yards per carry in 77 rushes over the past two seasons.

The 49ers are close to full strength as they enter a pivotal NFC matchup against the Eagles. In what could be a preview of an NFC Championship game, Brock Purdy and the Niners will look to avenge a loss to the Eagles in last year’s NFC Championship matchup.

Burford is the major inactive here as a starter on the 49ers’ offensive line. However, OG Aaron Banks returns for the offense this week while the other inactives are not a surprise.

Brooks is the 49ers’ starting left guard, so him being out isn’t deal against an interior Bucs defense led by massive human Vita Vea. However, Jon Feliciano should step in for Banks as a solid veteran back-up. The other inactives aren’t much of a surprise.

No real surprises here. Brandon Allen will serve as the team’s emergency quarterback and will be dressed for the game.

This could all change with an Elijah Mitchell injury -- something that seems pretty common -- but if Davis-Price is RB4 on this depth chart behind Christian McCaffrey, Mitchell, and Mason, he’s tough to roster even in dynasty leagues. If you’re still holding Davis-Price in a deep dynasty, it might be worth moving on to a different lottery ticket.

Davis-Price lost time to a high-ankle sprain this season and was completely toppled out of fantasy play by the acquisition of Christian McCaffrey. Jordan Mason’s small sample size work has also given him a real competitor for run behind McCaffrey and Elijah Mitchell. It’s great news that the 49ers don’t seem likely to cut bait on Davis-Price, but the backfield situation ahead of him makes it hard for him to have fantasy value in 2023 without injuries ahead of him.

With Elijah Mitchell back to full health, Davis-Price isn’t part of the 49ers’ running back rotation. The 49ers will have all of their primary weapons against the Cowboys. With Garoppolo out, Brock Purdy will once again quarterback the team. However, Purdy is arguably an upgrade for the offense.

Elijah Mitchell, who had 55 yards and two touchdowns on five rushes last week, will serve as the RB2 behind Christian McCaffrey as the Niners take on a Seattle rush defense that has been among the NFL’s worst over the past two months.

Davis-Price served as Christian McCaffrey’s backup for the first time since San Francisco acquired CMC at the trade deadline. He earned the nod over Jordan Mason, who was playing through a hamstring issue. Once Mason is healthy, he will likely reclaim the backup gig.