San Francisco 49ers DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (concussion) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice. Jennings hadn't practiced in any capacity since suffering a concussion in Week 14 against the Arizona Cardinals. So, his limited practice to start the week is a good sign for his availability in Week 18 against the Los Angeles Rams. However, it remains to be seen how the 49ers plan to attack this weekend. With the team already locked into the top spot in the NFC, several key players like Brock Purdy (rest) and Christian McCaffrey (calf) have already been ruled out. With Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk possibly seeing limited snaps as well, Jennings could see a bigger role if active in Week 18.

San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell (illness) wasn't feeling well on Wednesday and did not take part in practice with the rest of the team. Mitchell's status for the Week 18 regular season finale against the Los Angeles Rams this Sunday is of much greater importance to DFS gamers with Christian McCaffrey (calf) already being ruled out. The Niners have locked up the top seed in the NFC and a first-round bye in the playoffs, so they are going to be resting some starters this weekend. If Mitchell is at all questionable for Sunday's contest, they could just hold him out entirely and give him three weeks to rest up before the Divisional Round. Mitchell might not even have much upside if he plays, with reports suggesting Jordan Mason could be the lead back in Week 18.

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that quarterback Brock Purdy will not play in the Week 18 regular season finale against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. As a result, Sam Darnold will make his first start of the season in a meaningless game for the Niners, as they are already locked into the top seed in the NFC and will have a first-round bye in the playoffs. In addition to Purdy, the Niners ruled out star running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) already after he strained his calf in the Week 17 win over the Washington Commanders. San Francisco could choose to limit other key offensive weapons this weekend, making all Niners players risky in fantasy lineups in Week 18. Darnold will be in play as a low-end QB2 option for fantasy managers in leagues that start two QBs.

With the San Francisco 49ers potentially resting starters in a meaningless Week 18 game against the Los Angeles Rams, quarterback Sam Darnold and running back Jordan Mason could see heavier workloads this Sunday. Darnold could get the start so that the team can rest Brock Purdy heading into the postseason while also giving Darnold an opportunity to showcase his stuff before he heads to free agency in 2024. Brandon Allen could also see reps under center. Running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) has already been ruled out, and given Elijah Mitchell's injury history, Mason could be in line for lead-back duties against the Rams, with fellow 2022 rookie Tyrion Davis-Price also seeing a heavier workload. The Niners would have to elevate Davis-Price from their practice squad to the 53-man active roster.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel told Kay Adams on the "Up & Adams" show on Tuesday that he expects himself and the other starters on his team to play against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 18. The 49ers have already clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC but Samuel seems convinced that head coach Kyle Shanahan will not choose to rest his starters for the regular-season finale against Los Angeles. Samuel stated, "You definitely want to keep the flow going, but you also want to give your body a rest." The team has already ruled running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) out for Week 18 but there is a good shot fantasy managers will see at least some of the team's starters this weekend. Stay tuned for news out of San Francisco for the remainder of the week as things can obviously change quickly.