San Francisco 49ers

According to head coach Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy's (shoulder) status for the team's Week 13 matchup against the Buffalo Bills is "really up in the air." ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported the news. Yikes. The Iowa State product left San Francisco's Week 11 loss to the Seattle Seahawks with some shoulder soreness, but after his Monday MRI came back clean, San Fran thought a few days of rest would do the field general some good. However, upon his appearance at Thursday's practice, his shoulder pain "surprised him," and they "had to shut him down." It's unfortunate news for the 49ers offense as what was thought to be a routine ailment has potentially evolved into a multi-week injury. It's possible that a few extra days of rest could quell the pain, but at this time, fantasy managers will want to prepare for the worst-case scenario. With Brandon Allen set to make his first start this season in Purdy's stead, the entirety of San Francisco's offense gets a downgrade for the time being.

San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver/kick returner Jacob Cowing (concussion) was unable to clear the league's concussion protocol and has been ruled out for Week 12 versus the Green Bay Packers. Cowing suffered his concussion in last Sunday's loss to the division-rival Seattle Seahawks and will now be hoping to clear the concussion protocol next week in order to face the Buffalo Bills in Week 13. Unexpectedly, the 23-year-old has mostly factored in on special teams (returning punts) in his first year in the NFL, despite Brandon Aiyuk (knee) being lost for the season. In nine games in 2024, the Arizona product only has two receptions on three targets for 50 yards. With Cowing out of action this Sunday at Lambeau Field, Ronnie Bell will most likely serve as the team's punt returner.

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (hamstring) was removed from the final injury report on Friday and will be active for the Week 12 game on Sunday against the hosting Green Bay Packers. Hamstring irritation caused Kittle to miss the Week 11 loss to the division-rival Seattle Seahawks, but he'll end his absence at just one game and return this weekend at Lambeau Field. Fantasy managers' excitement will be tempered for the 31-year-old, though, with quarterback Brock Purdy (shoulder) being ruled out for Week 12. While Kittle remains a must-start in all fantasy lineups, DFS managers will probably want to avoid him with Brandon Allen throwing him passes this weekend on the road. Despite missing two games due to injury in 2024, Kittle is the TE2 in overall fantasy points, trailing only rookie Brock Bowers of the Raiders.

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan announced that quarterback Brandon Allen will make the start on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers in Week 12 in place of the injured Brock Purdy (shoulder), who has been ruled out. An MRI exam on Purdy's right shoulder delivered encouraging news, so the team doesn't expect a long-term absence, but Allen will at least fill in this weekend and could have to again in Week 13 versus the Buffalo Bills. The 32-year-old will be an obvious downgrade from Purdy, and Sunday's game will be his first start in the NFL since 2021 with the Cincinnati Bengals. In 16 career games (nine starts), he's completed only 56.7% of his pass attempts for 1,611 yards, 10 touchdowns and six interceptions. Fantasy managers should downgrade all of San Fran's offensive weapons, while Allen will be a desperation QB2 in superflex leagues against the Packers.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (shoulder) has officially been ruled out for the Week 12 contest on the road against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday at Lambeau Field. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Purdy came out of the Week 11 loss to the division-rival Seattle Seahawks with some shoulder soreness, but it didn't appear to be very serious until late this week. An MRI exam was encouraging, so this shouldn't be a long-term absence, but fantasy managers are going to need to pivot this weekend. The 24-year-old will be replaced under center by Brandon Allen, which will be a downgrade for San Fran's entire offense. Expect a heavy dose of running back Christian McCaffrey against Green Bay, with wideouts Deebo Samuel Sr. and Jauan Jennings and tight end George Kittle (hamstring) having much lower ceilings and floors.