San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings faces the Bills in Orchard Park for Week 13's Sunday night matchup. Last week in Green Bay -- and catching passes from backup quarterback Brandon Allen -- Jennings led the 49ers in targets with seven, finishing with five receptions for 40 yards. Fortunately, starter Brock Purdy (shoulder) is expected to play in Buffalo, but the encouraging news ends there. Buffalo's pass defense has been the eighth-toughest on fantasy wide receivers and should have a nice home-field advantage as a significant winter storm is expected to bleed into the first quarter. Most significantly, San Francisco will be missing All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) and starting left guard Aaron Banks (concussion). Consider Jennings a risky WR3/FLEX with a significant downgrade into WR4 territory if Purdy is held out again.

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey is in Buffalo for a Week 13 contest against the Bills on Sunday night. The 2023 touchdown machine has not been himself on the ground since returning from double-Achilles tendinitis three weeks ago, averaging a career-low 3.5 yards per carry. Shockingly, McCaffrey has been held out of the end zone as well. McCaffrey's involvement in the passing game has been steady though, garnering 5.3 targets per game which is right in line with last year's average. Still, fantasy managers hope that Week 12's 6.3 half-PPR dud is the nadir, and there is nowhere to go but up. Besides CMC's obvious track record, there are reasons for hope. First, Buffalo has allowed the fourth-most half-PPR points to opposing running backs. Also, quarterback Brock Purdy (shoulder) is expected to be back, increasing the efficiency of the Niners' offense. However, San Francisco will again be without legendary left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) and left guard Aaron Banks (concussion) who was ruled out in the fourth quarter against Green Bay. The injuries on the line, plus speculation that McCaffrey is not yet at his sharpest, have him as a low-mid RB1 in Week 13.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brandon Allen could get a second consecutive start filling in for starter Brock Purdy (shoulder) when the 49ers play at the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Friday that he expects Purdy to play, but "lots of things could happen between now and then." In last week's 38-10 loss to the Packers in Green Bay, Allen completed 17-of-29 attempts for 199 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. In 10 career starts, Allen has only provided two fantasy-useful performances: A two-touchdown, 193-yard, zero-interception performance in his first career start with Denver back in 2019 and a two-touchdown, 371-yard, zero-interception game with the Bengals in 2021. A large snowstorm is predicted on Sunday in Western New York, and although most of the snow is supposed to fall before kickoff, it could still be windy. Even in perfect weather, the career-backup Allen would not be a recommended fantasy starter against a good Buffalo passing defense.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game, according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to his status during the weekend, as he could be a game-time decision. Last weekend, Brandon Allen got the starting nod and went 17-for-29 with 199 yards, a score, and an interception. Purdy has enjoyed another strong fantasy campaign, averaging 23.4 PPR points through ten games. If Purdy can play, fantasy managers should view him as a low-end QB1, as he will face a tough Buffalo defense in a potentially unfavorable weather setting. If Allen gets the nod for the second-straight week, he would be viewed as a low-end QB2.UPDATE: Purdy practiced in full on Friday, and head coach Kyle Shanahan expects him to play on Sunday. "Lots of things can happen between now and then," but as of now, the Niners expect him to be active against Buffalo.

According to Matt Barrows of The Athletic, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (shoulder) remained a limited participant during Thursday's practice. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to Friday's injury report as it will likely clarify his availability heading into Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills. Purdy could not suit up last weekend and ceded starting duties to Brandon Allen. Purdy has enjoyed another excellent fantasy season as he has averaged a solid 23.4 PPR points per game. If Purdy can suit up, he should be considered a solid QB1 in all formats. If not, Allen is best to fade and should only be deployed in deep Superflex formats facing a tough Buffalo defense.