Tanner Mordecai was waived by the San Francisco 49ers after a rough preseason loss to Denver, finishing 3-of-6 for 21 yards with an interception and 15 rushing yards as the third quarterback behind Mac Jones and Carter Bradley. San Francisco quickly responded by drafting Indiana’s Kurtis Rourke in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft, ratcheting up QB competition in the room. The move occurred alongside Ameer Abdullah’s IR designation, which cleared space for the club to sign running back Jeff Wilson Jr. and defensive end Trevis Gipson. Mordecai, who starred at SMU and Wisconsin, flashed professional tools at times in college but now faces an uphill climb to land elsewhere in the NFL or beyond. The 49ers’ quarterback room is clearly getting deeper and more competitive as they push toward the 2025 season.

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.

San Francisco’s preseason opener offered a clear snapshot of the 49ers’ rookie class in flux. Thirteen of the original seventeen rookies played, delivering a spectrum of outcomes from incomplete to standout. Mykel Williams was inactive with a knee issue, leaving edge-rep opportunities thin early. Alfred Collins and Nick Martin struggled to impact the game, while Upton Stout and Jordan Watkins flashed the most upside. Watkins snagged three of six targets for 56 yards, highlighted by a 50-yard grab that underscored potential early playing time. Contenders like Connor Colby flashed steady progress in pass protection, Junior Bergen provided a spark on special teams, and Marques Sigle looked the part of a developing starter in the secondary depth chart. The takeaway for fantasy: Watkins could press for early involvement, Kiner’s vision and stroke give him a roster case, and the 49ers’ late-rounds and undrafted group showed enough in flashes to keep a few on the radar for practice squads or later-season roles.

Other notes: Jordan James’ injury-impacted return suggests the depth at running back will be tested, while Kurtis Rourke remains on the non-football injury list, delaying a potential rookie quarterback path. CJ West’s nickel corner role remains a focal point as the defense builds interior pressure and coverage flexibility. In total, SF’s rookie performance laid a foundation of intrigue—enough to keep fantasy managers watching the next exhibition for real clues on playing time, role definition, and depth-chart movement as Week 1 approaches.

The San Francisco 49ers announced that rookie quarterback Kurtis Rourke has been placed on the active/non-football injury list as training camp begins. Rourke, who transferred from Indiana after a stellar college career at Ohio, is known for his impressive stats, including a completion rate of 66.3%, over 7,600 passing yards, and significant rushing production. His accolades include MAC Most Valuable Player and All-MAC honors, showcasing his potential. While this setback is disappointing for the 49ers, it may impact their depth chart as they prepare for the upcoming season.