San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Monday that wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (illness) was sent to the hospital with fluid in his lungs and was diagnosed with pneumonia. Samuel played just four offensive snaps before leaving the Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and never returning on Sunday, and Shanahan said there's no timetable for the 28-year-old's return, meaning he could miss the Week 8 contest against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night. Meanwhile, Brandon Aiyuk tore his right ACL and MCL on Sunday and is out for the rest of the season. Jauan Jennings (hip) missed the Week 7 game, but he's expected to return this Sunday and could be quarterback Brock Purdy's WR1 if Samuel is out. Rookies Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing and Ronnie Bell could also be thrust into bigger roles moving forward, pending the health of Samuel.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) is out for the rest of the 2024 season after tearing both his right ACL and MCL in the Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, according to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport. An MRI exam on Monday morning confirmed the team's fears of a season-ending injury to one of their top wideouts. Aiyuk had a notable offseason saga with the Niners when they couldn't come to an agreement on a long-term contract extension until Aug. 29, when they signed him to a four-year, $120 million deal. The former first-rounder was a complete bust this year in fantasy, catching only 25 passes for 374 yards and no TDs in his seven games. With Deebo Samuel Sr. dealing with pneumonia, Jauan Jennings (hip) suddenly will become a hot waiver-wire pickup this week, as well as rookie first-rounder Ricky Pearsall in deeper leagues.

Tests confirmed on Monday that San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) suffered a season-ending knee injury in the Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, according to sources. Aiyuk got sandwiched between two defenders during a hard collision on Sunday, with one hit going low and bending his knee backward in ugly fashion on Sunday. The 49ers feared a torn ACL, which could make it difficult for the 26-year-old to be ready for the start of the 2025 season. Jauan Jennings (hip) was out with an injury on Sunday, and Deebo Samuel Sr. only played three snaps due to illness, leaving tight end George Kittle to lead a decimated wideout corps that featured rookies Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing catching their first NFL passes. Jennings, who could return in Week 8, should be a top waiver-wire priority this week with Aiyuk done for the rest of the season.

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) won't be available for the Week 8 game on Sunday night against the Dallas Cowboys, and then the team is on bye in Week 9. McCaffrey has been ramping up for an early-November return, so Week 10 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Nov. 10 could be the target date he's shooting for to make his 2024 debut. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports CMC hasn't had any setbacks as he ramps up. San Fran could really use McCaffrey back with receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) going down with a potential season-ending torn ACL in the Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Fantasy managers that have been stashing McCaffrey all year could have him back just in time to make a run for a fantasy championship, although it remains to be seen how effective he'll be and how much of a workload he'll have upon his return.

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle was the focal point of a struggling 49ers offense during a 28-18 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday at Levi's Stadium. Kittle grabbed six of seven targets for 92 yards -- the receptions and yards being game-highs. San Francisco had little choice but to lean on Kittle after falling to a 14-3 deficit, and seeing Deebo Samuel Sr. (illness) and Brandon Aiyuk (knee) head to the locker room. Kittle has now exceeded projections in five consecutive games, maintaining a stranglehold on the overall TE1 position in fantasy. If Aiyuk has suffered a serious injury as feared, fantasy managers can expect a similar target share for Kittle moving forward. Kittle will be a top play again on Sunday night when the 49ers host the Dallas Cowboys.