49ers RB Carlos Hyde 'still the favorite' to start, but 'will have to earn it'

Jul 12, 2017

Very few players have secured their starting jobs for the upcoming season. Carlos Hyde is not among those.

He is entering the final year of his contract, and we all know how badly Shanahan and running backs coach Bobby Turner wanted Joe Williams in the draft. Shanahan and Turner would not have stood on the table for Williams if they did not have a clear vision for how he fits into their offensive plan.

Hyde is an immensely talented running back whose bid for 1,000 yards came up just 12 yards short due to a late-season knee injury. He is healthy. But he is learning a new system. Shanahan and Turner hand-picked a running back they believe best-fits the requirements of the position in their scheme.

Hyde is probably still the favorite to win the starting job, but he will have to earn it. However it shakes out, it is probably safe to assume the club will employ more of a backs-by-committee approach with Williams and Tim Hightower available for key roles.

Fantasy Impact:

In 20 games over the past two seasons, Hyde has averaged 16.6 carries for 73 yards and 0.45 touchdowns. His 13.9 PPG (PPR) in that span is better than what Frank Gore averaged as the #12 fantasy running back last season. Hyde’s injury history is concerning, as is Kyle Shanahan’s infatuation with rookie Joe WIlliams. He’s a risky pick given all that’s going on in the San Francisco backfield. WIlliams' 12th-round ADP makes him an attractive attrition play.

today

Jaguars TE Evan Engram out for the remainder of the season

J.P. Shadrick

1 hour ago

TE Evan Engram out for the season. Surgery coming on labrum in shoulder.

Related Players: Brenton Strange, Luke Farrell, Josiah Deguara

Fantasy Impact:

Bummer for Engram, who will finish the season as the TE16 with 7.3 half-PPR PPG in nine weeks.

It's unlikely that Strange pops up as a TE streamer through the remainder of the season, with no more byes on the horizon.

yesterday

Chiefs WR Hollywood Brown's practice window to open "Friday or Monday"

Ian Rapoport

yesterday · 7:56 PM EST

Chiefs WR Hollywood Brown has received final clearance to practice, paving the way for him to play before the regular season ends.

Brown, who is recovering from surgery to repair his SC joint, should have his window opened Friday or Monday. The team will be cautious.

Fantasy Impact:

If Brown were cleared by Week 17, he would be incredibly tough to start in pretty much any sort of fantasy league with Championships on the line. However, he could be an interesting click for Playoff-only leagues if he can ramp up in time.

Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker misses second straight practice

Adam Schefter

yesterday · 7:53 PM EST

For a second straight day today, Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III didn’t practice due to his calf injury.

Related Players: Zach Charbonnet, Kenny McIntosh

Fantasy Impact:

Looks like things should be cleared out for Charbonnet once again in what could be a very close game against the Packers. If Walker misses Week 15, fire Charbs up as a high-end RB2.