Fantasy Football News

Chiefs HC Andy Reid told ESPN's Adam Teicher this week that he thinks RB Isiah Pacheco will "be even better this year" after a sluggish finish to 2024 following recovery from a broken leg. Pacheco suffered the injury in Week 2. He returned in Week 13 but averaged just 7.8 carries per game and 3.4 yards per rush from there through the playoffs. That included just 13 carries and 37 rushing yards (2.8 per carry) across three playoff contests.

The 49ers have surprisingly placed RB Elijah Mitchell on IR with no designation to return. That means he'll miss the season. It's surprising because his injury had merely been reported as a hamstring strain. We'll watch for more details on his situation.

49ers RB Elijah Mitchell returned to practice on Wednesday. He ended up missing a little over two weeks with a hamstring injury.

ESPN's Nick Wagoner believes Jordan Mason is on his way to earning the 49ers' No. 2 RB job. "He's a much improved pass catcher and route runner and he's flashed some dynamic ability picking up the blitz," Wagoner writes. "Given the injuries elsewhere at the position, Mason is setting up to really solidify a spot behind CMC."

49ers RB Christian McCaffrey (calf) will not play vs. the Rams this weekend, HC Kyle Shanahan confirmed Monday. Shanahan called McCaffrey's injury a "mild calf strain." It's unclear if CMC would be able to play if this game meant something to San Francisco, but he was never going to suit up with the NFC's No. 1 seed clinched. He'll get three total weeks to heal up before the 49ers' playoff opener. We'll see about the team's backfield plans this weekend. RBs Elijah Mitchell and Jordan Mason are on the active roster, with RB Ty Davis-Price on the practice squad.

49ers RB Christian McCaffrey is officially questionable to return to Sunday's game vs. the Commanders due to a calf. He's remained on the sidelines trying to get loose. We'll look for more info on his status. RB Elijah Mitchell has replaced McCaffrey as San Francisco's lead back.

Niners RB Christian McCaffrey put in a limited practice Saturday, his first action this week coming off the oblique injury. He's questionable for Monday night's game aginst the Vikings. We'll watch for any indications on whether he'll play before the Sunday games begin, but you might have to guess on McCaffrey's status until Monday. Make sure you have an insurance option available if you plan to wait on the 49er.

49ers RB Christian McCaffrey's oblique/rib injury is not considered long-term, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Schefter adds that McCaffrey has a "chance" to play vs. the Vikings on Monday night. "The work week will help determine" his availability, Schefter says. We'll keep you updated on McCaffrey's status throughout the week. The Monday kickoff could make it a tricky situation for fantasy owners if McCaffrey ends up as a game-time decision.

Jordan Mason, not Elijah Mitchell, took over as San Francisco’s lead back after Christian McCaffrey exited Sunday's loss to the Browns with an oblique injury. Mason finished with 27 yards and a score on five carries to Mitchell’s two carries for minus-three yards. We’re not ready to say just yet that Mason would be the better fantasy play if CMC misses more time, but he certainly deserves to be rostered in most fantasy leagues. Mason has averaged 5.9 yards across 64 carries over the past two seasons.

49ers RB Christian McCaffrey is questionable to return to Sunday's game vs. the Browns with an oblique injury. We'll update his status when we know more. McCaffrey's absence leaves San Francisco's backfield to Elijah Mitchell and Jordan Mason.

Update: McCaffrey has returned to the game.

Update: McCaffrey carried once and then left the game, jogging back to the locker room.

Update: McCaffrey has been ruled out.

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.

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 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 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.

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 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 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.