Kendrick Bourne steps into the focal point for San Francisco as injuries thin the Niners’ pass catchers, delivering a Week 5 breakout and a clear Week 6 target floor. Sean Tucker slides into TB’s RB2 role behind White with Bucky Irving out, while Tutu Atwell earns Stafford’s trust and offers flex upside. Bryce Young is a Week 6 streamer vs Dallas, with other strong streaming options at D/ST and kicker, plus a robust stash list behind Purdy.

The waiver stash includes Mac Jones and Dillon Gabriel as QB bets if Purdy misses more time, Cam Akers and Jaydon Blue in the backfield, and Demarcus Robinson, Isiah Bond, and Jake Tonges as deeper Niners options. Texans and Vikings enter Week 6 on byes, shaping rosters for the short week and long grind ahead.

Puka Nacua has erupted for the Rams: 42 catches, 503 yards, and a TD through four games, leading the league in both receiving metrics. His pace mirrors Cooper Kupp’s historic 2021 season, hinting at a fantasy firestorm as Kupp departs and Davante Adams arrives. In a Thursday NFC West tilt with San Francisco, Nacua’s Week 4 surge reinforced his role as Stafford’s top catalyst behind Atwell and Adams. The Rams’ offense looks built to ride him.

Thursday night in Los Angeles puts two familiar NFC West rivals on display as the Rams visit a hobbled 49ers squad. Stafford and Atwell pace a Rams offense that has flashed big-play ability, while San Francisco must navigate injuries to its starting quarterback and top receivers, plus the threat of Nick Bosa being limited. The piece leans on recent history: the 49ers nearly always respond after losses to the Rams and close divisional games tend to hinge on playmaking and minimizing mistakes. Fantasy angles center on who steps up in depth roles for SF and whether Stafford’s weapons can sustain volume if the 49ers’ pass rush triggers hurried decisions. A primetime test that could redefine Thursday-night value at several depth spots.

Historically, the Rams have held a slim edge in margins of victory in these duels, but the 49ers’ ability to rebound after setbacks has defined the Shanahan era. With injuries altering the 49ers’ personnel map, smart fantasy managers should monitor who fills the void at receiver and which backfills emerge as reliable options. For Los Angeles, Stafford’s connection with Atwell and the defense’s consistency keep the Rams firmly in the conversation for fantasy relevance whenever the game script tilts toward shootouts or grind-it-out battles.