San Francisco 49ers

For the second straight day this week, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (concussion) was limited in practice on Thursday. Jennings has missed the last two games due to his concussion. He's making progress with his head injury but has yet to be fully cleared from the league's concussion protocol, and the 49ers aren't going to rush any of their injured players back this weekend for the Week 18 regular season finale against the Los Angeles Rams with the No. 1 seed in the NFC already locked up. Even if the 26-year-old gets the green light to play this weekend, he'll be taking passes from quarterback Sam Darnold, who will be making his first start of the year. Although Jennings is going to cost next to nothing in DFS, there's a slim chance he pays off for fantasy managers in Week 18. After all, he has only 19 receptions for 265 yards and one touchdown all year.

San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell (illness) was under the weather and didn't practice with the rest of the team on Wednesday, but he returned to a limited session on Thursday. Mitchell should be available for the Week 18 regular season finale on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams, and a bigger backfield role should be in store with Christian McCaffrey (calf) already ruled out. With quarterback Brock Purdy also being rested, expect the Niners to lean on a more ground-based approach with Sam Darnold running the offense. It's all good news for Mitchell's fantasy appeal in DFS this weekend, although Jordan Mason reportedly could be utilized as the primary back. Tyrion Davis-Price could see some run as well, so Mitchell will still be a pretty risky option at the RB position for a Niners team that has already locked up the top seed in the NFC.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (concussion) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice. Jennings hadn't practiced in any capacity since suffering a concussion in Week 14 against the Arizona Cardinals. So, his limited practice to start the week is a good sign for his availability in Week 18 against the Los Angeles Rams. However, it remains to be seen how the 49ers plan to attack this weekend. With the team already locked into the top spot in the NFC, several key players like Brock Purdy (rest) and Christian McCaffrey (calf) have already been ruled out. With Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk possibly seeing limited snaps as well, Jennings could see a bigger role if active in Week 18.

San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell (illness) wasn't feeling well on Wednesday and did not take part in practice with the rest of the team. Mitchell's status for the Week 18 regular season finale against the Los Angeles Rams this Sunday is of much greater importance to DFS gamers with Christian McCaffrey (calf) already being ruled out. The Niners have locked up the top seed in the NFC and a first-round bye in the playoffs, so they are going to be resting some starters this weekend. If Mitchell is at all questionable for Sunday's contest, they could just hold him out entirely and give him three weeks to rest up before the Divisional Round. Mitchell might not even have much upside if he plays, with reports suggesting Jordan Mason could be the lead back in Week 18.

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that quarterback Brock Purdy will not play in the Week 18 regular season finale against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. As a result, Sam Darnold will make his first start of the season in a meaningless game for the Niners, as they are already locked into the top seed in the NFC and will have a first-round bye in the playoffs. In addition to Purdy, the Niners ruled out star running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) already after he strained his calf in the Week 17 win over the Washington Commanders. San Francisco could choose to limit other key offensive weapons this weekend, making all Niners players risky in fantasy lineups in Week 18. Darnold will be in play as a low-end QB2 option for fantasy managers in leagues that start two QBs.