49ers to use hot hand at RB

The illness that sidelined Deebo Samuel yesterday is pneumonia. He's in the hospital.

Related players: Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, Ricky Pearsall, Chris Conley, Ronnie Bell, Jacob Cowing, George Kittle

When the team realized Deebo had fluid in his lungs, he was sent to the hospital, Lombardi said in another post. Another beat writer, Nick Wagoner, reported Samuel was struggling to breathe which is why he wasn't in the game very long. Aiyuk is out for the season so the Niners now find themselves very thin at the WR position. There is no timetable for Samuel's return at this point. Reports say the team should get Jennings (hip) back in Week 8, but rookies like Pearsall and Cowing could very well be factors in the short term until Samuel is able to return.

After Sunday’s win over the Falcons, Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said receiver DK Metcalf’s knee injury “doesn’t look too bad.”

There’s now some more clarity on Metcalf’s situation.

Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, Metcalf suffered a Grade 1 MCL sprain and is considered week-to-week.

Metcalf, 26, has recorded 35 receptions for 568 yards with three touchdowns so far this season. The Seahawks host the Bills in Week 8 and the Rams in Week 9 before their Week 10 bye. Seattle will issue its first injury report of the week on Wednesday, the story said. Generally, week to week really puts into doubt a players status, so owners may want to begin thinking about another plan in the event Metcalf can't go. The looming bye week could easily mean the team at least sits him out one, if not two, weeks. But, as the story said, the injury report could give us a better idea. Metcalf is a later Sunday game so it could get tricky for adjusting lineups.

Sources: 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk suffered a season-ending knee injury on Sunday, tests confirmed.

Related players: Deebo Samuel, Jauan Jennings, Ricky Pearsall, Chris Conley, Ronnie Bell, Jacob Cowing, Trent Taylor, George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey

Anyone who held on to Jennings should be in good shape as he will likely slide in as the team's WR2 behind Deebo. Jennings didn't play in Week 7 because of a hip injury but the team is hoping to have in back for Week 8, according to reports. Pearsall was active for the first time and caught three balls for 21 yards. Cowing had two catches for 50 yards. Both rookies could be options behind Samuel, Kittle and likely Jennings, but may not be consistent fantasy producers. We reported McCaffrey is looking to return on Nov. 10 and it's possible he's counted on as a receiver more than a rusher once he's back.