San Francisco 49ers DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings will finish his 2024 breakout campaign in Arizona for a Week 18 clash with the division-rival Cardinals. The man they call "Third-and-Jauan" has done plenty of damage on other downs this season, coming into the game as the overall half-PPR WR28 in points per game after spending his first four years as a fantasy non-factor. In last week's home loss to Detroit, Jennings caught seven of 10 targets for 67 yards -- roughly half of which came on the last drive of the game after being overshadowed for nearly four quarters by rookie Ricky Pearsall. Both players will be catching passes from backup Joshua Dobbs since starting quarterback Brock Purdy (right elbow) has been ruled out. It's tough to predict which receiver Dobbs will look to more often, but the savvy veteran Jennings should have the edge. It's worth noting that receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (rib, wrist) has been ruled out. Jennings is a mid-low WR2 for Week 18.

San Francisco 49ers rookie running back Isaac Guerendo (foot, hamstring) is off the injury report and ready to roll for a Week 18 matchup with the Cardinals in Arizona. Last week at home versus Detroit, Guerendo took just nine carries for 34 yards but snagged all four targets in the passing game for 65 yards. Arizona's defense represents a favorable opportunity for Guerendo to finish his first NFL campaign on a high note -- they have allowed the 10th-most half-PPR points per game (21.9). Last week, they allowed 14.7 points to Kyren Williams of the Los Angeles Rams. With the 49ers having been eliminated from playoff contention weeks ago and playing their final game of 2024, head coach Kyle Shanahan should give Guerendo his classic heavy lead-back usage while assessing Guerendo's role in 2025. This could be especially true with the 49ers injury issues -- backup Joshua Dobbs is starting for an injured Brock Purdy (right elbow), wideout Deebo Samuel Sr. (rib, wrist) is out, and tight end George Kittle (ankle, hamstring) is questionable. Guerendo is a back-end RB1 in Week 18.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (elbow) has officially been ruled out for Sunday's Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Arizona Cardinals. Purdy suffered a right-elbow contusion at the tail end of the Monday night loss to the Detroit Lions on Monday night. While the injury isn't considered serious and Purdy should have a normal offseason, the Niners will hold him out in a meaningless game to close out the year. With Purdy sidelined, backup Joshua Dobbs will make his first start under center this year. The 25-year-old Purdy wasn't able to replicate his breakout 2023 season for San Fran, but he was still solid for fantasy purposes (QB10 overall heading into Week 18), especially when considering he was without All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey (knee) and receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) for most of the year.

According to Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (ankle, hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals. Kittle opened the week as a non-participant but was able to upgrade to limited participation on Thursday and Friday. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status over the weekend, as he may end up being a game-time decision. Kittle saw his typical workload on Monday evening and logged 56 offensive snaps and was able to bring in all eight of his targets for 112 yards. Even though Joshua Dobbs is slated to get the start, fantasy managers should still view Kittle as a TE1 without Brock Purdy (elbow) under center. He will be facing an Arizona defense that has allowed the fifth-fewest PPR points to opposing tight ends this season.

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said it was a medical decision to sit quarterback Brock Purdy (elbow) for the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Arizona Cardinals this Sunday and also downplayed the signal-caller's injury. "It's nothing more than when you hit your funny bone. When you get an NFL helmet in the wrong place it irritates the nerve. Brock is going to be fine. It's going to quiet down," Lynch said. The 25-year-old injured his elbow late in the Monday night loss to the Detroit Lions and hasn't practiced yet this week. With the Niners already eliminated from the playoffs, there's just no reason for the team to throw Purdy out there against Arizona. Veteran Joshua Dobbs will get the start instead. Entering Week 18, Purdy is the QB10 in overall fantasy points, although his 2024 was a step down from his breakout in 2023.