The 49ers’ Week 5 win over the Rams rode on a chaotic OT stop after a steady defensive push and a late, gritty performance by the squad’s supporting cast. Mykel Williams didn’t post a stat line but drew the eye with a game-changing edge step that opened the winning path for Warner, while Marques Sigle and Deommodore Lenoir held the back end together in a tense finish. Offensively, SF leaned on McCaffrey’s blocking and Purdy’s health narrative, with Mac Jones stepping in as a surprise producer in the quarterback shuffle. Trade chatter swirls around Hendrickson as the front office weighs a playoff push, and the team braces for Kittle’s potential absence while Malik Mustapha nears return. Fantasy takeaway: depth and health emerge as pivotal in a league where one big name can be out, one backup can step up, and defensive pressure can tilt outcomes in high-leverage moments.

Shanahan’s crew showed resilience, especially up front and in coverage, highlighting the IDP and streaming options for Week 6. Williams’ quiet stat line belies a fingerprints-on-the-game impact, while Sigle’s 13 tackles underscore the importance of safeties who can mix run support with coverage. The QB landscape remains fluid: Purdy’s health versus Jones’ hot run creates a dual-path for fantasy rosters, with Hendrickson potentially altering the defensive ceiling if a trade materializes. Monitor Kittle’s status, monitor Purdy’s health, and keep a pulse on the 49ers’ evolving depth chart as the schedule thickens.

Kalia Davis exited with a hand injury in the second quarter of San Francisco’s Thursday night clash with the Rams, compounding an injury-plagued start to 2025 for the 49ers. With Davis questionable and Kevin Givens on IR, San Francisco could lean on Jordan Elliott, Alfred Collins, C.J. West and rookie Mykel Williams to anchor the interior. The late update confirmed Davis will miss the rest of the game, forcing a deeper rotation and more sub-packages against L.A.

The 49ers’ 26-21 loss to Jacksonville centers on Brock Purdy’s health and a defense that missed Nick Bosa, plus a special-teams breakdown that doomed field position. Purdy looked off and turnover-prone, all while nursing a toe issue that flared after a brief return. Jacksonville moved the ball with ease behind Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne, exposing SF’s offensive margins and leaving fantasy managers rethinking Week 6 plans against the Rams. Upton Stout’s bright rookie moment adds a hopeful thread for 49ers IDP upside amid the overall setback.

Fantasy takeaways: Purdy’s health becomes the lens for every SF decision, with risk-reward skewing toward lean, short-pass schemes if mobility is compromised. Stout’s development matters for dynasty rosters, while Bosa’s absence underscores the value of midseason edge reinforcements. Stash potential 49ers rookies and watch how SF reorganizes the defense and special teams as they chase resilience through a tough schedule.

Injuries and matchup dynamics drive Week 4 IDP decisions. Bosa’s absence opens rushing lanes and elevates a handful of streamers, while opposing offenses’ weaknesses create tackle opportunities for linebackers and safeties. Travis Hunter remains a hold in all leagues; Abdul Carter has shown a dependable 70%+ snap presence; Xavier McKinney and Xavier Watts offer upside in high-pass-volume games. Deep leaguers should eye Mykel Williams and Dee Winters as immediate stash targets, with careful fades for veteran big-play safeties.

Premium/Deep options like Sauce Gardner are worth a look in very deep formats, while the usual fades target players whose teams lean run-heavy or game-script favorable to the offense. The guide stresses balancing injury-driven upside with risk, leaning into snaps and matchup-based ceilings rather than chasing volatility. Week 4 IDP managers should lean into structural opportunities, not just past performance.

Bottom line: monitor snap counts, offensive line injuries, and game pace. Hold Hunters and Carter; stream Watts, McKinney, Williams; and stash Winters for longer-term upside. With Bosa out, the 49ers’ defense becomes a clearer source of opportunistic plays in this slate.