San Francisco 49ers Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

49ers QB Brock Purdy (elbow) is expected to resume throwing sometime next week, HC Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday. Purdy continues to make steady progress in his return from UCL surgery on his throwing elbow. Barring a setback, it's looking like he'll be ready to go for training camp. GM John Lynch called Purdy "the leader in the clubhouse" for the starting job earlier this offseason. We'll see if he can hold off Trey Lance (and Sam Darnold?) this summer.

Niners HC Kyle Shanahan says the team expects to have QB Brock Purdy back from his right elbow injury by training camp, according to David Lombardi of The Athletic. Purdy has reportedly "been making throwing motions with a towel," though there's no word on his accuracy in hitting the hamper. He's expected to begin throwing footballs in June. We'll see whether Purdy's return to action pushes a Trey Lance trade.

The 49ers selected Alabama TE Cameron Latu in Round 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft. A five-year college player, Latu totaled 56 catches, 787 yards, and 12 TDs over the past two seasons. He’s not a standout athlete, and he’s modestly sized at 6’4, 242 pounds. It’s tough to see him gaining any fantasy value as long as George Kittle remains a 49er.

49ers QB Brock Purdy ultimately avoided Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, instead undergoing a UCL report with an internal brace, according to ESPN's Nick Wagoner. The procedure is expected to have Purdy back on the field quicker than initially suspected, although there's still no concrete timetable for his return. "I think like a lot of those things, timelines are just guidelines," GM John Lynch said. "Every person is different. There probably is some amount of time in talking to the docs that you want to make sure you get to that point before he's out there, but our hope is he's ready to go in training camp." The 49ers have called Purdy the "leader in the clubhouse" to be the team's 2023 starter -- and being ready for training camp would give him a good chance to hold on to that title. We'll continue to track Purdy's rehab.

Niners GM John Lynch on Monday called a healthy QB Brock Purdy "the leader in the clubhouse" for the team's starting job, according to David Lombardi of The Athletic. That stops short of anointing Purdy the starter once his repaired throwing arm is ready. But it's certainly not good for Trey Lance, just two years after the franchise traded quite a bit to move up and draft him third overall. Lynch said Purdy, Lance, and Sam Darnold will compete for the job. And perhaps 49ers leadership is trying to motivate Lance, ahead of his third NFL season. Even if that's the case, though, it wouldn't be a great sign if they think the 23-year-old (this May) needs such motivation. Lance remains a high-ceiling best ball pick in case he does win the job. And we'll see about Purdy's health this summer. But there's also high risk to rostering Lance in formats where you can't replace him once the season starts. Of course, Darnold arriving to Week 1 as the starter would be bad news for everyone.

The 49ers have agreed to a four-year deal with DT Javon Hargrave. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that it's worth $84 million overall, with $40 million of that guaranteed at signing. Hargrave delivered a career-high 11 sacks in 2022, his third season with the Eagles after arriving as a free agent. He racked up 34 QB hits over the past two years after topping out at 8 over his first five seasons. Hargrave's arrival could challenge the role of fourth-year DT Javon Kinlaw. The former first-round pick played in just 10 total games over the past two seasons because of injuries. Arik Armstead remains as well. Hargrave played 64.4% and 68.4% of the snaps over the past two years, so there's room for a three-man rotation. Hargrave should be the first (and maybe only in most cases) among the three to go in 2023 IDP drafts.

49ers QB Brock Purdy's elbow surgery was originally scheduled for February 22 but has been delayed due to swelling in the joint. “Some of the delay and the swelling and all that — it’s not like a typical baseball injury,” GM John Lynch said Tuesday at the Combine. “This was a football injury where there was a lot of force there. So, it just all had to quiet down.” Purdy is now expected to go under the knife "early next week," according to The Athletic's Matt Barrows. The 49ers are still hoping to have Purdy back on the field 6 months after surgery, but Lynch admitted that there are “a variety of time frames.” Either way, this delay makes it unlikely that Purdy is available for training camp -- and more likely that QB Trey Lance opens the 2023 season as San Francisco's starter.

49ers QB Brock Purdy is expected to undergo surgery to repair his torn UCL on February 22, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Purdy is expected to make a full recovery and be ready for training camp, per Rapoport. Still, this is a serious procedure that will cost Purdy the entire offseason program. It's a considerable speed bump after an impressive 8-game run as a rookie. Purdy and QB Trey Lance are expected to duke it out for the starting job this summer, barring a significant addition to the QB room.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported on Monday that 49ers QB Brock Purdy suffered a complete tear of his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right arm in the aftermath of the NFC Championship. Purdy will reportedly seek 2nd opinions as to whether or not he can avoid reconstructive surgery, more popularly known as Tommy John surgery. Should the rookie end up under the knife for reconstruction, he would stand to miss a considerable amount of time. A repair surgery would reportedly enable Purdy to be ready for activity in time for training camp. Dynasty managers can only hold their breath as we await further updates and the potential ramifications of a prolonged absence.

Update: Both NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and ESPN's Adam Schefter hear that Purdy is expected to be sidelined for about 6 months. That'd have him back for training camp but cost him the entire offseason program.

49ers RB Christian McCaffrey logged 15 carries for 84 yards and a TD in Sunday's NFC Championship loss vs. the Eagles. He also added 4 catches for 22 yards as a receiver in the contest. The early injury to QB Brock Purdy forced the 49ers to dramatically shift their offensive game plan to a predictable, run-heavy attack. McCaffrey and company ultimately suffered as a result, though 106 total yards and a score is no small feat for the veteran RB all things considered. The soon-to-be 27-year-old is under contract through 2025 and figures to be a major focal point of this offense in the near future. McCaffrey will once again be in the RB1 overall discussion in 2023 regardless of who's under center at QB.

49ers QB Brock Purdy completed 4 attempts for a mere 23 yards in Sunday's NFC Championship loss vs. the Eagles. The rookie left the game early in the 1st quarter with an elbow injury and was replaced by QB Josh Johnson. Johnson was later forced to exit the contest due to a concussion, ultimately leading to Purdy re-entering the game. HC Kyle Shanahan shared after the game that Purdy "wouldn’t have gone back in if we hadn’t had to" make that decision. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported later Sunday evening that Purdy injured his ulnar collateral ligament and will undergo an MRI on Monday. If his UCL isn't ruptured, it's expected to be a 6-week recovery. Anything more severe would require surgery and put dynasty managers who recently made aggressive pushes to acquire the QB in a tough spot. We should know more tomorrow. Stay tuned for updates.

49ers QB Brock Purdy left Sunday’s game against the Eagles with a right elbow injury. He’s officially questionable to return. Veteran Josh Johnson would take over for San Francisco if Purdy is unable to return.

UPDATE: Purdy entered in the 3rd quarter following a concussion check for Josh Johnson.

49ers RB Elijah Mitchell (groin) is inactive for today's NFC Championship game vs. the Eagles. RB Tevin Coleman was elevated from the practice squad on Saturday and is active for this one. He joins Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason in San Francisco's backfield. RB Ty Davis-Price is a healthy scratch. Check out the updated projections for the 49ers backfield.

49ers WR Deebo Samuel (ankle) upgraded to full practice on Friday and doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's NFC Championship game vs. the Eagles. Samuel has been targeted 16 times over the last 2 games with 7 carries as a runner. His high involvement makes him a quality fantasy option again this weekend despite the Eagles' defense ranking as the 10th-toughest matchup in adjusted fantasy points allowed to WRs. It's also worth noting that RB Elijah Mitchell (groin) is listed as questionable for this contest. Samuel could possibly pick up a couple extra carries in the event that Mitchell misses this game.

49ers RB Christian McCaffrey (calf) upgraded to full practice participation on Friday and doesn't carry an official injury designation for Sunday's NFC Championship vs. the Eagles. Teammate RB Elijah Mitchell (groin) didn't practice at all this week and is listed as questionable. A potential Mitchell absence would be a slight boost to McCaffrey's fantasy appeal, but not by a ton. McCaffrey has logged 15+ touches in every playoff game with an average of 19.6 PPR points per game. If anything, WR Deebo Samuel would gain some value with additional touches out of the backfield possibly. The Eagles' defense ranks as the 14th-best matchup in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs.

49ers WR Deebo Samuel (ankle) remained limited in Thursday's practice. He's still not 100% recovered from the high-ankle sprain he suffered in mid-December but is fully expected to play in Sunday's NFC Championship game vs. the Eagles. Samuel has racked up 178 receiving yards and 43 rushing yards over the past 2 weeks.

49ers RBs Christian McCaffrey (calf) and Elijah Mitchell (groin) missed their 2nd straight practices on Thursday. We're still tentatively expecting both guys to play in Sunday's NFC Championship game vs. the Eagles, but check back Friday afternoon to see how they're listed on the final injury report.

49ers Deebo Samuel (ankle) practiced in a limited capacity on Wednesday in advance of Sunday's NFC Championship game vs. the Eagles. HC Kyle Shanahan shared that “It’s been there for a little bit," referring to Samuel's ankle ailment, "I think he’ll be alright, but it concerned us enough to not let him go today" at practice. We'll see if the veteran is able to ramp up activity on Thursday. Check back once we learn some more information.

49ers RB Christian McCaffrey (calf) was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's injury report. Teammate RB Elijah Mitchell (groin) also didn't practice. It's less than ideal to see both of the Niners' top RBs listed as DNP ahead of Sunday's NFC Championship game vs. the Eagles. Fortunately, we still have a a few more days to wait and see if their participation ramps up. Be certain to check back for updates tomorrow.

49ers RB Christian McCaffrey confirmed that he played through a calf issue in Sunday's Divisional Round win over the Cowboys. He was shown multiple times trying to keep the calf loose on the sidelines and didn't play much on San Francisco's final couple of possessions. “I was fighting but made it through — made it through great," McCaffrey said after the win. We'll keep a close eye on CMC's practice participation this week but tentatively expect him to play in Sunday's NFC Championship game vs. the Eagles.