NFL

Pinter has been competing with C Ethan Pocic for the starting job. Pocic notably suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon rupture last year. Hopefully, Pinter escapes with a minor injury and the competition can continue.

Tate apparently took a hard hit during Monday’s practice, but coach Robert Saleh said Tate’s stiffness is unrelated. The first-round rookie wide receiver had a good showing in spring practices, but may currently be behind slot WR Wan’Dale Robinson in the target pecking order. As is the case with many rookie wide receivers, Tate’s production could be back-weighted toward the end of the season this year.

Metcalf chose not to reveal details on the injury that has kept him sidelined for a week and a half. He simply said there are no long-term concerns, and he expects to be good to go for the season opener. Hopefully, he begins ramping up before long. Metcalf is a borderline WR3/FLEX, competing for the team’s top wide receiver role with WR Michael Pittman this year.

Knee injuries have impacted Diggs’ performance and availability dating back to 2023. He totaled 31 pass breakups and 17 interceptions in his first three NFL seasons, from 2020-22. He’s totaled just six pass breakups and three interceptions since then. Diggs turns 28 in September and will likely fill in as a backup this season, playing on a one-year deal.

Pittman has been sidelined for a week and a half. According to Penn Live’s Nick Farabaugh, Pittman is only dealing with a minor hamstring strain, though. The veteran wide receiver currently profiles as a borderline WR3/FLEX this year, playing for a new team for the first time in his career.

Thornton left Tuesday’s practice early after reportedly straining a hamstring. Apparently, it was a very mild strain. The Chiefs’ field-stretching wide receiver was back in pads, practicing on Wednesday. We do not yet know if he was a full participant, but it seems as though he is good to go.

It’s a devastating blow for the second-year pro and the Houston offense. Higgins was set to be the team’s No. 2 wideout behind Nico Collins this season after posting 525 yards and six touchdowns as a rookie operating mostly as a downfield threat. Higgins’ absence in the Texans offense leaves the team without much depth at the position. Expect Xavier Hutchinson to take on a much more prominent role in the balanced Houston offense while Tank Dell and Jaylin Noel see a bump in snaps and routes. It’s hard to say any Texans receiver not named Nico will have much in the way of fantasy value in 2026.

Pollard had missed two practices with a foot issue he picked up in the Titans’ preseason game against the Niners over the weekend. Pollard went for 22 yards and a touchdown on four carries against San Francisco while Tyjae Spears had 35 yards on four rushes. Spears caught one pass in the game while Pollard was not involved in the pass game. Pollard profiles as a flex option in 12-team leagues, though he could be touchdown dependent with Spears taking on much of the pass-catching role.

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.

Biadasz sustained a major knee injury this week in joint practices with the 49ers. Schefter said Biadasz sustained “damage to his ACL and additional injuries to his left knee,” and will seek second opinions on how to deal with the injury. That’s never a good sign, and likely means Biadasz is done for the 2026 season. His absence could be a blow for Omarion Hampton and the Chargers’ run game under new OC Mike McDaniel.