San Francisco’s last weekend without football centers on a dynamic mix of veteran presence and youth. Marquez Valdes-Scantling lands on the practice squad, while Dominick Puni and Kalia Davis push toward Week 1 availability in Seattle. Kendrick Bourne re-emerges on the radar for a potential SF reunion, as rookie Marques Sigle and Malik Mustapha push SF’s swarm mentality. Ricky Pearsall and George Kittle anchor a capable pass-catching group, with Christian McCaffrey and Matt Breida ready for sizable roles and Robbie Gould stabilizing special teams.

SF’s stance on roster depth—no distinction between practice squad and 53-man roster—keeps options open as the young defensive line and smart special teams playmakers aim to lift a team seeking stability after a bumpy finish to last season. The piece also flags looming questions about how the incoming pieces mesh with a likely high-usage offense built around Kittle and McCaffrey, and how Seattle’s Week 1 test might shape early fantasy projections.

In San Francisco, depth problems are front and center as August camp drags on. Injuries mounted to two Week 1 starters and a veteran guard, squeezing the 49ers’ options at WR and on the offensive line. Jordan Watkins will miss roughly a month, while Ben Bartch and safety Jason Pinnock exited early, prompting Kyle Shanahan to explore free-agent avenues without panicking. The rogues gallery of new injuries compounds concerns at receiver as Jauan Jennings recovers from a calf issue. Yet a handful of rookies answered the call with eye-opening performances, giving fantasy players a thread of optimism amid the churn.

On the bright side, Marques Sigle seized Week 14's practice window, emerging as a real Week 1 consideration thanks to Mustapha and Brown’s absences. Jake Moody delivered a seven-for-seven day, including multiple 50-plus yarders, anchoring a position that matters in tight spreads. Brock Purdy connected repeatedly with George Kittle, including a red-zone strike to Christian McCaffrey, reinforcing chemistry as the WR corps heals. Connor Colby slid into the top unit at left guard, an encouraging sign for depth up front as injuries linger.

Rumors swirl about add-ons at receiver (Amari Cooper, Gabe Davis), but San Francisco’s plan remains methodical rather than reactive. The team still faces an uphill climb to finish camp clean, but the convergence of/between young playmakers and key contributors suggests a path forward. The depth chart in August rarely stays static, yet this edition signals which pieces could tilt the early-season balance for fantasy managers.

Brandon Aiyuk’s knee injury reshapes San Francisco’s pass game, with Week 5 at the earliest return on the table after a season-opening PUP designation. Aiyuk’s absence thrusts Jauan Jennings, Ricky Pearsall, and Jordan Watkins into bigger roles, while Kurtis Rourke and Malik Mustapha push to return to action later in the year. Deebo Samuel’s offseason departure to Washington compounds the challenge, leaving Aiyuk to reclaim All-Pro form once cleared. Christian McCaffrey’s health keeps SF’s offense from spiraling, but the early-season path hinges on depth at wide receiver and how quickly Aiyuk can rejoin the lineup.

Fantasy managers should monitor Pearsall’s offseason gains and Watkins’ recovery timeline, as both could become week-to-week value plays if Aiyuk stays sidelined. With Week 14 bye looming, SF must balance risk and reward as their wideout corps recalibrates, hoping Aiyuk’s return unlocks the offense’s ceiling again in a pivotal NFC West stretch.

San Francisco’s wideout corps is being pushed to the limit by a wave of injuries, forcing fantasy managers to track timelines and potential opportunists. Brandon Aiyuk has the team’s clearest return window, hinting at Week 6 as a target while acknowledging the knee’s recovery remains fluid. The Niners also hope Malik Mustapha and Kurtis Rourke progress similarly, setting the stage for a midseason re-emergence. In the meantime, Jordan Watkins showed bursts but has now been sidelined by a high ankle sprain, leaving a quartet of veterans and a few untested pass-catchers to anchor Week 1 depth. Jauan Jennings remains a variable due to calf concerns, and Jacob Cowing plus Ricky Pearsall could play pivotal roles if the offense needs fresh options. Demarcus Robinson remains in limbo as the league’s ruling process unfolds. The situation underscores fantasy value fluctuations around a once-deep group and hints at a potential midseason shakeout once Aiyuk and co. are back near full strength.

The San Francisco 49ers have placed star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk along with five others on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list ahead of the 2025 training camp. Aiyuk, who is recovering from major knee injuries sustained during last season's Week 7 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, will miss the start of training camp and could potentially miss the beginning of the upcoming season. Joining him on the PUP list are offensive tackle Andre Dillard, defensive lineman Yetur Gross-Matos, safety Malik Mustapha, wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, and linebacker Curtis Robinson.

This decision leaves the 49ers with a significant gap in their roster, particularly at wide receiver, as Aiyuk has been a crucial part of their offensive strategy. His recovery will be closely monitored as the team prepares for the season. The absence of such key players during training camp could impact the team's development and strength going into the regular season.