San Francisco 49ers

As a precaution, San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (shoulder) was removed from practice Tuesday. The 49ers rookie wideout was put in a blue non-contact jersey earlier in training camp due to a shoulder injury. Pearsall projects to be the team's fourth wide receiver behind Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, and Deebo Samuel Sr. in 2024. However, with Aiyuk entrenched in trade rumors, Pearsall could see a leap in his fantasy stock. For now, Pearsall is a solid option to monitor ahead of fantasy drafts for both his injury and role in the offense.

San Francisco 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) is dealing with a calf strain in training camp, and head coach Kyle Shanahan said he will not be taking part in the preseason. Furthermore, Shanahan said that McCaffrey might miss a couple weeks of camp with his calf issue. While CMC may not be in danger of missing the start of the 2024 regular season, this is bad news for the reigning NFL rushing leader and the three-time Pro Bowler. The 28-year-old led the NFL with 1,459 rushing yards and 14 rushing TDs while also catching 67 passes for an additional 564 yards and seven TDs in 16 regular-season games in 2023, making him the unquestioned top fantasy pick going into 2024 fantasy drafts. However, he's no stranger to disappointment for fantasy managers due to injuries, as he played in a combined 10 games from 2020-21 while with the Panthers. CMC should still be the No. 1 overall fantasy selection as long as he's ready for Week 1, but this is a reminder of the risk that's also involved. Elijah Mitchell is second on the RB depth chart and would become a weekly play in fantasy lineups if CMC misses any time.

The Pittsburgh Steelers and San Francisco 49ers re-engaged in conversations mid-day on Tuesday regarding wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, according to league sources. As of Monday night, talks between the two teams had stalled, but there have been further conversations on Tuesday in an ever-fluid situation that still involves other teams as well, mainly the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots. It was reported Monday night that the Niners had agreed to the framework of trades with both the Browns and Patriots, and Aiyuk reportedly has been given the green light to negotiate a contract extension with other teams interested in trading for him. A resolution on Aiyuk is expected sooner than later, and no matter where he ends up, he's likely to see a decline in fantasy value, especially if he lands in New England with veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett. it's unclear what the Steelers might be offering San Fran in a potential deal. Stay tuned.

The Baltimore Ravens signed free-agent wide receiver Russell Gage (knee) to an undisclosed deal on Tuesday. Gage had a workout with the New Orleans Saints during minicamp in June but will now head to Baltimore to provide depth at wideout. The 28-year-old missed all of last season due to a torn patellar tendon in his knee last August and was cut by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in March. Rashod Bateman has been pretty banged up so far in training camp, so perhaps the Ravens wanted some extra depth at a position that also includes Zay Flowers, Nelson Agholor, Tylan Wallace, rookie Devontez Walker and Deonte Harty, among others. Gage appears to be healthy now and will be competing for one of the final spots at receiver with the Ravens in camp and the preseason. In 13 games (four starts) in Tampa in 2022, Gage had a 51-426-5 line.

The San Francisco 49ers are now willing to listen to trade offers for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and have given the star wideout permission to negotiate a contract with other teams, according to sources. The Niners didn't have the same willingness to listen to trade offers at the start of training camp. The New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns have been in contact with San Fran and are interested in trading for Aiyuk. The Pittsburgh Steelers were also interested but do not appear to be potential trade destination any longer. The Patriots have been attempting to acquire Aiyuk for months, and Kendrick Bourne's name has surfaced in reports as someone who could be included in a potential trade. Other teams are willing to pay Aiyuk more than twice as much as his $14.124 million fifth-year option, but he has balked so far at multiple offers. San Fran has to be comfortable with any trade compensation as well, and the reigning NFC champs are willing to keep Aiyuk.