Niners rookie K Jake Moody will miss the team's preseason finale with a right quad strain. He's considered day-to-day, according to multiple reports. Doesn't sound like the injury is a big deal, and we wouldn't bet on the third-round pick getting cut in favor of Zane Gonzalez. But a kicking-leg injury is probably enough to mean you shouldn't draft Moody this weekend at least. We'll see about the coming week.
The Cardinals acquired QB Joshua Dobbs and a 2024 seventh-round pick from the Browns in exchange for a 2024 fifth-rounder. Dobbs joins Colt McCoy and Clayton Tune as the healthy QBs in Arizona. The Cardinals have yet to name a Week 1 starter, with QB Kyler Murray still on the mend. The Browns, meanwhile, look set to roll with rookie QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson as QB Deshaun Watson's backup.
Jets RB Israel Abanikanda is expected to be out "a couple of weeks" with his thigh injury, HC Robert Saleh said Tuesday. When healthy, the rookie will be New York's third or fourth RB. He's off the redraft radar.
The 49ers got RB Elijah Mitchell back at practice Monday after a nearly three-week absence for an adductor injury. According to Jack Hammer (yes, really) of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat, Mitchell "looked explosive." Expect Mitchell to remain No. 2 on the RB depth chart, barring any setbacks. See where he sits in our RB rankings.
Jets RB Israel Abanikanda left Saturday's preseason game with an injury to his right thigh. ESPN's Rich Cimini said the rookie RB was putting no weight on the leg as he left the field early in the fourth quarter. We'll look for more info on his outlook. The rookie likely wouldn't be heading for much regular-season work even if healthy, though, after the Dalvin Cook signing.
Update: HC Robert Saleh said after the game it's merely a thigh contusion, Cimini reports. This shouldn't be a long-term issue.
49ers RB Jordan Mason “appears” to be the favorite for the RB3 role, per beat writer Jack Hammer. Mason's main competition is 2022 Round 3 pick Tyrion Davis-Price. “The second-year back is a more fluid runner and does a better job of setting up his blockers than Ty Davis-Price,” Hammer writes. “He has also looked much better in pass protection, squaring up defenders consistently.” We’ll see what the rest of the preseason brings. But the RB3 role in San Francisco figures to have some fantasy relevance this season — especially with No. 2 Elijah Mitchell already battling an adductor injury.
49ers TE George Kittle is expected to miss a week with an adductor strain, HC Kyle Shanahan said Thursday. So it shouldn't impact his availability or readiness for the start of the season. But it's an inauspicious start to the summer for a guy with a lengthy injury history. Kittle is an avoid at his fifth-round ADP.
49ers HC Kyle Shanahan doesn’t expect QB Brock Purdy to play in the preseason opener. Purdy will take part in joint practices with the Raiders this week. In his place, look for San Francisco to get an extended look at Trey Lance come Sunday afternoon.
49ers HC Kyle Shanahan said he no longer thinks about Brock Purdy’s offseason elbow surgery. This comment came on the heels of Purdy’s "sharpest practice” of camp, per beat reporter Matt Maiocco. “That’s completely off my mind. He’s healed; he’s healthy,” Shanahan said. “Guys got to get into throwing shape and they got to play and get used to that, and that takes time. But I’m not thinking about his injury.” Purdy and the 49ers travel to Pittsburgh for Week 1. The second-year QB should only factor into your superflex strategy for that one.
49ers RB Elijah Mitchell is dealing with an adductor strain that’ll sideline him for about one week, per HC Kyle Shanahan. Mitchell’s extensive injury history remains a concern in Year 3. He should still fill a part-time role behind Christian McCaffrey when healthy, though. Current projections have Mitchell for about 8 touches per game.
49ers HC Kyle Shanahan likes what he's seen from QB Brock Purdy in camp so far. "I think he's done great," Shanahan said. "He has come back. He's had no arm troubles. He's been totally healthy. I think he's getting all his timing back, his rhythm. I was really impressed with him in his two practices." Purdy remains the favorite to open the season as San Francisco's starter.
The Athletic's David Lombardi writes that 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk “continues dominating” at training camp. Aiyuk brings undeniable talent, and he should be hitting his prime at 25 years old. Volume looks like an issue, though. And we’ll have to see how QB Brock Purdy performs in live action following March elbow surgery.
49ers QB Brock Purdy reportedly received all of the first-team reps in 7-on-7 drills at practice on Thursday. Purdy hasn't thrown in a public setting with the team since sustaining a UCL injury in the NFC Championship vs. the Eagles that required surgery in March. QBs Trey Lance and Sam Darnold split reps as the QB2 in practice as well. The position battle between Purdy and Lance for the starting job in San Francisco will carry significant ramifications for fantasy managers this season, and to see Purdy work as the starter upon return is notable. It's still early yet, though a smattering of offseason quotes from GM John Lynch and others indicate this is Purdy's job to lose. Keep up with us here at Draft Sharks as we learn more about this battle over the course of training camp.
49ers WR Deebo Samuel said he’s in his best shape since his rookie season (2019). Samuel looks “decidedly sleeker and lighter on his feet” early in camp, per The Athletic’s Matt Barrows. The 27-year-old shared more about his new physique. “I think the heat kind of played a part because Arizona is hot,” Deebo said, referring to where he trained. “We were doing a lot of running, a lot of cardio, a lot of stuff to kind of trim the fat a little bit. A lot of track working out. Then I got into a routine of flexibility, mobility, and then I got into boxing a little bit.” Following a down 2022, Samuel hits the WR rankings as a top-20 option.
The 49ers have a “plan” for keeping RB Christian McCaffrey healthy for Week 1, per HC Kyle Shanahan. McCaffrey sat out team drills on Wednesday, and it shouldn’t alarm you if this becomes a trend. CMC, now 27, has nearly 1,500 career touches. Our RB rankings show he remains a top-end RB1.
The 49ers don't expect Edge Nick Bosa to report with the rest of the team for the start of training camp. There's no injury to worry about, though. GM John Lynch says the two sides are trying to find the "sweet spot" on a long-term extension that's a "little more complicated," according to ESPN's Nick Wagoner. Bosa has shown throughout his still-young career that he can deliver even after limited practice time. So this shouldn't alter your draft plans in your IDP league. Bosa hasn't moved in our IDP rankings.
The 49ers have cleared QB Brock Purdy (elbow) for training camp. He’s expected to be on a pitch count, throwing for two days, followed by one day of rest. HC Kyle Shanahan said they hope to have Purdy throw without restriction in about two weeks. It’s an excellent development for the 2nd-year QB, who’s avoided setbacks in his recovery. Purdy remains the favorite to start Week 1.
49ers RB Jordan Mason has flashed "noticeably better" receiving skills this offseason, per The Athletic's Matt Barrows. It was a reported area of focus for Mason, who tallied only 26 career catches (in four seasons) at Georgia Tech. The former UDFA excelled in limited rushing action as a rookie, and he could ascend to the RB2 role if Elijah Mitchell’s injury woes continue. Circle Mason as a deep sleeper on your fantasy cheat sheet.
ESPN’s Nick Wagoner writes that QB Brock Purdy’s rehab “has gone just as he and the Niners hoped.” Wagoner strongly believes Purdy will be cleared to practice at some point during training camp. San Francisco opens the regular season at Pittsburgh in roughly seven weeks, so there's time for him to reacclimate. Still, view our QB rankings, and you won't find Purdy in a draftable range.
Bucs OC Dave Canales called Ke'Shawn Vaughn his #2 RB. "He’s our two, and he’s a fantastic runner," Canales said on a recent podcast appearance. "Just quick feet in the hole, sturdy build. And he’s just got a real natural feel for it." Tampa signed RB Chase Edmonds to a 1-year, $1.2 million deal in free agency, but Vaughn will at least open training camp ahead of him on the depth chart. Vaughn has underwhelmed in limited opportunities through three NFL seasons, but any #2 RB is worth paying attention to -- especially a #2 RB behind an unproven starter in Rachaad White.
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