San Francisco 49ers

The Pittsburgh Steelers were reportedly a call away from landing wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk in a trade with the San Francisco 49ers. However, new details about the situation have shed light on the hold-up of the talks. The Steelers offered Aiyuk less than $28 million annually for a new contract. The offer has pushed Aiyuk back to the contract negotiation table with the 49ers. It appears that Aiyuk may not be able to get the top-of-market contract he seeks after all. Aiyuk is coming off a career year in which he caught 75 passes for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns. He is due for a new contract as he enters the fifth year of his rookie deal. Aiyuk has not participated in training camp or the preseason while he seeks a new contract. For now, fantasy managers will need to monitor whether the Steelers will increase their offer or if Aiyuk will come to terms with the 49ers.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (oblique) did not suit up for the preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. He was confirmed to be dealing with an oblique injury of sorts, but it's not believed to be any major injury. Jennings is only expected to miss a little time, but it's not clear how much time they expect that to be. He's been impressing in training camp so far and looks to be the leader in the position battle to get the WR3 role. In his three seasons with the 49ers so far, Jennings has caught 78 of his 127 targets for 963 yards and seven touchdowns. He's also averaging 7.6 yards per target and 21.4 yards per game. He may even see his opportunities jump depending on what happens with Brandon Aiyuk.

San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason (hip) didn't play in the team's preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Afterward, head coach Kyle Shanahan said that Mason was dealing with hip soreness, so they went in the direction of being cautious. The 25-year-old has been making a lot of waves in training camp so far and could be playing his way into a bigger backup role. Missing this game doesn't seem to move him back in the depth chart, but Christian McCaffrey and Elijah Mitchell are quite entrenched in the top two spots at running back. Mason's health will be something to monitor during the new week of practice.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Joshua Dobbs took the bulk of the offensive snaps for the team in a 16-10 preseason victory over the New Orleans Saints in Santa Clara on Sunday night. The 29-year-old entered the game for San Francisco's fourth possession following a struggling Brock Purdy offense. Dobbs would remain at the helm for three point-generating possessions before yielding to Brandon Allen at the half. Dobbs totaled 12 of 21 passes completed for 133 yards with no sacks or interceptions. He added three carries for 25 yards, including an impressive reverse-field scramble for a first down and a one-yard touchdown plunge. While preseason successes -- and failures -- should be taken with a grain of salt, San Francisco has to be happy to see a continuation of the skills Dobbs flashed in 2023 with Arizona and Minnesota. Dobbs is not fantasy-rosterable at this point but should draw some waiver-wire action if Purdy misses time.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy made his 2024 preseason debut in a 16-10 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday night in Santa Clara. Purdy started the game and spent the first three San Francisco offensive possessions under center before giving way to backup Joshua Dobbs. In that time Purdy produced a meager two completions on six attempts for 11 yards while taking one sack. From the beginning, New Orleans did a great job of putting pressure on Purdy, putting him in the grass multiple times. Whether observers blame San Francisco's lack of protection, Purdy himself, or credit the Saints' pass rush, it's wise not to overreact -- or react at all -- to preseason performances by entrenched starters. Purdy will look to shake off more rust when the 49ers take on Las Vegas on Friday night for their preseason finale.