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NFL Playoffs League - FFL: Week 1 | NFL: Week 3

49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk (shoulder) to miss game vs. Giants

Thu Sep 21 6:30pm ET
Field Level Media

The San Francisco 49ers don't expect to have wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk available when they host the New York Giants on Thursday night, ESPN reported.

Aiyuk was listed as questionable for the game because of a shoulder injury sustained Sunday on his first reception against the Los Angeles Rams. He went on to make two more catches and finished with 43 yards in a 30-23 road victory.

He has gotten off to a strong start this season, earning NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors for his effort in a 30-7 win at Pittsburgh in Week 1. Aiyuk made eight catches for 129 yards and two touchdowns.

The 49ers on Thursday activated wide receiver Chris Conley as well as cornerbacks Tre Swilling and Shemar Jean-Charles from the team's practice squad to the active roster, and released cornerback Anthony Brown.

Aiyuk, 25, was a first-round pick (25th overall) in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Arizona State. In his fourth season with the 49ers, he has started 46 of 48 games and has 205 receptions for 2,761 yards and 20 touchdowns. He also has rushed 13 times for 117 yards and two scores.

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Pick'em Plays: Week 3

Player Notes
George Kittle Sep 22 2:40am ET
George Kittle

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle had his best game of the young season on Thursday night against the New York Giants. The colorful tight end out of Iowa grabbed seven of his nine targets for 90 yards, helping pick up the offensive slack with receiver Brandon Aiyuk sidelined by injury. While fantasy managers are still waiting for Kittle's first touchdown, it was good to see Kittle beat projections after duds in the first two weeks. Next up for Kittle's 49ers is a home matchup against the Arizona Cardinals where he'll remain a TE1.

From RotoBaller

Ronnie Bell Sep 22 2:20am ET
Ronnie Bell

San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ronnie Bell scored his first career touchdown on his first career reception in Thursday night's 30-12 win over the New York Giants. The seventh-round pick in this year's draft had a modest day otherwise, catching both of his two targets for 24 yards. While Bell looks like a good fit in the 49ers offense after tonight and a solid preseason, he probably would have remained catchless if not for starting receiver Brandon Aiyuk being sidelined with a shoulder injury. Bell still has a long way to go before fantasy relevance and should be left in the free-agent pool, except in the deepest dynasty leagues.

From RotoBaller

Gary Brightwell Sep 22 2:13am ET
Gary Brightwell

Dynasty | Giants running back Eric Gray didn't receive a carry in the Giants blowout loss to San Francisco. Dynasty Analysis: This was a disaster for anyone who took a flier on Gray with Saquon Barkley out. He was in on special teams but the carries went to Matt Breida and Gary Brightwell (four each). This is a disaster in fantasy leagues and the entire Giants backfield needs to be avoided until Barkley comes back.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Brock Purdy Sep 22 2:13am ET
Brock Purdy

Dynasty | Brock Purdy completed 25-of-37 passes for 310 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in the 49ers win against the Giants. Dynasty Analysis: Just another day at the office for Purdy, who has now completed 67% of his passes and has yet to throw an interception on the season. While he isn't the most exciting player on the planet, Purdy has proven to be able to get the job done time and time again. His numbers aren't going to be record-setting but he's in the QB2 conversation every week and about the safest play you're going to get at the moment. Purdy comes in as our QB25 and that may actually be too low.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Deebo Samuel Sep 22 1:40am ET
Deebo Samuel

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel had the game fantasy managers have been waiting for against the New York Giants on Thursday night. Samuel, 27, lit up the New York defense to the tune of six receptions for 129 yards and a touchdown while tacking on one carry for two yards. With receiver Brandon Aiyuk (shoulder) on the sideline, Samuel was clearly the focal point of San Francisco's passing attack. He was targeted 12 times in the game, which was not only a season-high for Samuel but represented the most targets in a single game for any 49ers player this year. Samuel will have another favorable matchup in Week 4 when the 49ers host the Arizona Cardinals.

From RotoBaller

Daniel Jones Sep 22 1:13am ET
Daniel Jones

Dynasty | Jalin Hyatt was held without a catch in the Giants blowout loss to San Francisco. Dynasty Analysis: Hyatt wasn't even targeted in the game. On the bright side, Daniel Jones only completed 22 passes for 137 yards on the night, so it wasn't as if everyone else was doing damage. Still, Hyatt's upside is theoretical at this point and he shouldn't be in any dynasty lineups moving forward until we see something relevant. His dynasty ranking is going to start to suffer soon if we don't see some better results.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Devin Duvernay Sep 22 1:10am ET
Devin Duvernay

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Devin Duvernay (shoulder) was a full participant in Thursday's practice. The 26-year-old was limited on Wednesday with a shoulder problem, but this progress sets him up to be active for Week 3 versus the Indianapolis Colts. Duvernay once flashed as a fantasy pickup early last season, but the two-time Pro Bowler is characterized by his kick/punt-returning prowess. Even so, Duvernay may be forced into more three-receiver sets on Sunday with Odell Beckham Jr. (ankle) looking very iffy for that one. The Colts have been torched for the third-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers so far, but fantasy managers would really be scraping at the bottom of the barrel if settling on Duvernay even as a WR5 on Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Christian McCaffrey Sep 22 1:10am ET
Christian McCaffrey

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey tied Jerry Rice's all-time 49ers record by scoring a touchdown for the 12th straight game in Thursday night's dominant win against the New York Giants. McCaffrey, 27, finished the night with 85 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. He also caught all five of his targets for 34 yards receiving. In a juicy matchup against a New York defense that had struggled to stop the run, McCaffrey was his usual self, combining elusiveness with power. His fantasy day was limited by head coach Kyle Shanahan keeping his promise to get other running backs involved, though his 23 touches matched last week's. He has plenty of time to rest up before an October 1 date at home against the Arizona Cardinals.

From RotoBaller

Greg Zuerlein Sep 22 1:00am ET
Greg Zuerlein

New York Jets kicker Greg Zuerlein (groin) was a limited participant at practice on Thursday, per Andy Vasquez of The Bergen Record. The 35-year-old missed Week 2 with a groin injury while Austin Seibert filled in, but Thursday's return to the field puts him on track for a possible Week 3 return against the division-foe New England Patriots. Fantasy managers will want to check back for Friday's injury report to clarify Zuerlein's status if they're looking to play him on Sunday. "Legatron" could be worthy of streaming consideration in what projects to be a closely-contested matchup against the Pats, who have allowed the third-most fantasy points to kickers over the first two weeks.

From RotoBaller

Breece Hall Sep 22 12:50am ET
Breece Hall

New York Jets running back Breece Hall (knee) remained a limited participant at practice on Thursday. This is nothing new for the 22-year-old off last October's ACL tear, but it remains worth mentioning until he becomes a full participant again. Hall's snap share is in line to gradually rise as the season elapses, receiving 31% in the season opener and splitting evenly with Dalvin Cook at 36% in Week 2. Fantasy managers will need to exercise patience with the explosive Hall, as the Jets are likely to lean on the running game all year with Zach Wilson in the saddle. Hall doesn't appear to be in any real danger of missing Week 3 versus the division-rival New England Patriots, but this version of him translates to a volatile RB2 choice until the opportunity grows.

From RotoBaller

Brock Purdy Sep 22 12:50am ET
Brock Purdy

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy had his best fantasy day of the year in Thursday night's 30-12 victory over the New York Giants. He was 25-for-37 for 310 yards passing, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. The former "Mr. Irrelevant" of the 2022 draft has continued making the moniker itself irrelevant, winning his 11th consecutive game tonight. Purdy handled the absence of receiver Brandon Aiyuk without missing a beat, spreading targets all around, including getting Aiyuk substitutes Jauan Jennings and rookie Ronnie Bell involved. Early in the game, Purdy got away with a couple of risky throw decisions and while New York's defense did a commendable job bringing pressure, he consistently hung in and made tough throws. Purdy will take on the Arizona Cardinals at home in Week 4, where he'll be a worthy play in standard leagues.

From RotoBaller

DeVante Parker Sep 22 12:40am ET
DeVante Parker

New England Patriots wide receiver DeVante Parker (knee) remained limited in practice Thursday, per Evan Lazar of the team's official site. The 30-year-old is likely having his reps managed after his 2023 debut was delayed until Week 2 due to a knee injury. Parker looked no worse for wear in that one, tallying six receptions on eight targets for 57 yards as an every-down player. The veteran wideout is likely to be fine for Week 3's divisional tilt against the New York Jets, and might already be pushing JuJu Smith-Schuster for quarterback Mac Jones' attention. Even assuming Parker gets the green light for Sunday, he may not be an exciting fantasy play in what could be a slow-paced defensive slog.

From RotoBaller

Jaylen Waddle Sep 22 12:40am ET
Jaylen Waddle

Coming into the 2023 season, the Denver Broncos defense/special teams was expected to be a top-10 unit under defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. But so far through two games, they've been a pretty big disappointment. They've allowed under 100 yards rushing per game but have given up 249.5 yards per game through the air, have generated just four sacks and one takeaway through two games for a grand total of six fantasy points, which ranks them 28th in the league out of 32 teams. They could be facing the Miami Dolphins this Sunday without receiver Jaylen Waddle (concussion), but that alone shouldn't be reason to leave the Broncos D in starting fantasy lineups. Denver's defense has allowed 26 points per game so far, while Miami's offense has scored 30 points a game and leads the league with 462.5 points a game.

From RotoBaller

Wil Lutz Sep 22 12:30am ET
Wil Lutz

Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz bounced back in the Week 2 loss to the Washington Commanders after missing a field goal and an extra point in a one-point loss in the season opener. In the loss to Washington, Lutz made both of his field goals and all three of his extra-point tries. Through two games, he's tied for 20th among NFL kickers with 13 fantasy points. The 29-year-old benefitted by quarterback Russell Wilson turning back the clock with a 300-yard passing game and three touchdowns last week, but it remains to be seen if that was more of a fluke or a regular occurrence under new head coach Sean Payton this year. Heading on the road to Miami this Sunday to take on the Dolphins, Lutz will be in streaming consideration in deeper fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

Adam Trautman Sep 22 12:20am ET
Adam Trautman

Denver Broncos tight end Adam Trautman had an encouraging debut for Denver in Week 1 when he caught all five of his targets for 34 yards after Greg Dulcich left with a hamstring injury. Trautman was expected to have an elevated pass-catching role as the No. 1 TE with Dulcich missing several weeks due to his injury, but he failed to catch his only target in the Week 2 loss to the Washington Commanders despite playing 82% of the offensive snaps. Dulcich is now on Injured Reserve, meaning he'll miss at least three more games. Trautman will continue to serve as Denver's No. 1 tight end, but it isn't necessarily going to translate to fantasy production. After all, Trautman will be used more as a blocker than a pass-catcher.

From RotoBaller

Josh Reynolds Sep 22 12:20am ET
Josh Reynolds

Detroit Lions wide receiver Josh Reynolds (groin) was a limited practice participant on Thursday. The 28-year-old was limited on Wednesday as well, but he appears to be on the right side of questionable for Week 3 versus the Atlanta Falcons since he did not have to exit last Sunday's game with a groin injury. Reynolds seems to have surpassed veteran Marvin Jones Jr. as the No. 2 Lions wideout with Jameson Williams suspended, hauling in nine out of 13 targets for 146 yards and two touchdowns in the early goings. Fantasy managers will want to confirm Reynolds' status on Friday's injury report before inserting him into lineups as a possible WR3 option for Sunday's battle.

From RotoBaller

Marvin Mims Sep 22 12:10am ET
Marvin Mims

Nobody expected Denver Broncos rookie wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. to do anything in Week 2 against the Washington Commanders with Jerry Jeudy returning from a hamstring injury after the rookie had just two catches for nine yards in the season opener. But lo and behold, Mims caught both of his targets last Sunday for 113 yards and his first NFL touchdown as quarterback Russell Wilson got the deep passing game going. The 21-year-old showed off his big-play ability, but the bad news was that he was targeted only two times for the second straight week and played just 24% of the offensive snaps. Mims could connect with Wilson occasionally deep down the field this year, but as long as Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy are healthy, he's most likely to be an untrustworthy boom/bust in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Darnell Mooney Sep 22 12:10am ET
Darnell Mooney

Chicago Bears wide receiver Darnell Mooney (knee) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice. The 25-year-old also got in a limited session on Wednesday, putting him in position to play in Week 3 against the Kansas City Chiefs if he is present in some capacity once again on Friday. The Bears will need all the ammunition they can find in order to keep pace with the Chiefs on Sunday, so they'll hope Mooney is good to go by then. The fourth-year wideout caught four of seven passes for 53 yards and a touchdown in the season opener, but was held catchless before exiting Week 2 early in the second half. Mooney would be a dart-throw WR4/FLEX if he is ultimately able to play in Week 3.

From RotoBaller

Jerry Jeudy Sep 22 12:00am ET
Jerry Jeudy

Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy missed the season opener due to a hamstring injury. In his season debut in the Week 2 loss to the Washington Commanders, he caught three of five targets for 25 yards while playing 68% of the offensive snaps, which ranked second to only Courtland Sutton. Jeudy's snap count should rise in his second game this Sunday on the road in Miami against the Dolphins. Sutton has so far been quarterback Russell Wilson's top target through two games, but Jeudy has the potential to take over that designation the rest of the year if he's able to stay healthy. The matchup in Week 3 isn't the greatest for Broncos pass-catchers, but Jeudy should still be viewed as a WR3 for fantasy managers in his second game of the year.

From RotoBaller

Courtland Sutton Sep 21 11:50pm ET
Courtland Sutton

Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton has had a pretty good start to the 20232 season, catching nine of his 12 targets for 98 yards and one touchdown through two games. He played a team-high 89% of the offensive snaps in the Week 2 loss to the Washington Commanders, although both he and Jerry Jeudy took a back seat to rookie Marvin Mims Jr. and Brandon Johnson, who accounted for all three of quarterback Russell Wilson's touchdown passes. Sutton and Jeudy will continue to be Wilson's top aerial targets, which makes them the most trustworthy fantasy options among Denver's pass-catchers. The Miami Dolphins secondary will present some challenges for Sutton and the rest of Denver's receivers this Sunday, but so far this year, Sutton has been a high-floor WR4/flex for fantasy managers.

From RotoBaller