San Francisco 49ers DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

San Francisco 49ers running back Isaac Guerendo will handle kickoff returns in place of injured wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (calf) in Week 3, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. Barrows notes that the majority of kickoffs in 2024 have resulted in touchbacks, but if the Rams attempt any kicks that are returnable, Guerendo will handle that duty. The 24-year-old rookie has seen minimal opportunities on offense this year, rushing just once while handling one percent of offensive snaps in Week 2. He's off the fantasy radar.

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. The star tight end showed up on the injury on Thursday, putting his status for the Week 3 contest in doubt. The injury couldn't have come at the worst time for the 49ers, with Christian McCaffrey (calf/Achilles) and Deebo Samuel Sr. (calf) missing this week's game. Brock Purdy now must lean heavily on Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, and Jordan Mason against Los Angeles. Fantasy players are left scrambling for a last-minute tight end replacement off the waiver wire. Unfortunately, Kittle's backup, Eric Saubert, isn't a variable replacement option in standard-size leagues.

San Francisco 49ers kicker Jake Moody is in Los Angeles this week to face the Rams. The former third-round pick struggled with accuracy and field-goal opportunities in 2023 but has been productive in the young season. He currently sits in a three-way tie with New Orleans' Blake Grupe and Pittsburgh's Chris Boswell behind leader Brandon Aubrey for the second-most fantasy points per game among kickers due to a career day in Week 1, when he hit six of six field goal attempts. Even without Deebo Samuel Sr. (calf), Christian McCaffrey (Achilles), and probably George Kittle (hamstring), the 49ers offense figures to spend a good amount of time in Rams territory. The Rams' defense appears to be vulnerable after allowing four touchdowns and two field goals to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2. Moody is a Top-3 option on Sunday.

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Demarcus Robinson is in line for a bigger role with Puka Nacua (knee) and Cooper Kupp (ankle) sidelined. Robinson has been relatively quiet so far this season through two games with six catches for 92 yards. The opportunity is there for Robinson to lead the wide receiver group in targets with the heavily-targeted top receiver duo out. He showed flashes last year as the team's third option but it remains to be seen how he will handle the increased attention from opposing defenses as one of the top threats on the outside. Expect Sean McVay and his staff to get Robinson some early looks in Week 3 against the San Francisco 49ers to get into a rhythm. Someone has to catch passes for the Rams and Robinson should help fulfill that role. He is a borderline flex play in deep leagues and should be treated as a WR4 this week.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings will step into a starting role in Los Angeles as the team faces the Rams in Week 3. The 6-foot-3, 212-pound former seventh-rounder has spent his entire five-year career as a backup while toiling in fantasy football obscurity. With Deebo Samuel Sr. (calf) ruled out, first-round pick Ricky Pearsall still recovering from a gunshot wound, and George Kittle (hamstring) doubtful, Jennings has one of the best opportunities of his career to make some noise. In Week 10 of 2023, with Samuel Sr. out but Kittle active, Jennings drew a career- and team-high nine targets but only turned them into five receptions for 54 yards. Although Brandon Aiyuk is the heavy favorite for volume, there could be more to go around against a reeling Rams pass defense that just allowed 266 yards receiving and three touchdowns to the Arizona Cardinals. San Francisco may also take the opportunity to mix in other backup receivers, as general manager John Lynch commented on a Friday morning radio show that they wanted to get rookie Jacob Cowing some opportunities. Jennings is on the fantasy radar but don't go crazy, he's a WR4 on Sunday.