Alex Smith to start at QB for 49ers

Through two games, there’s a statistical anomaly in the desert.

Cardinals receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. has just one catch for 33 yards.

Perhaps even odder, Harrison has received just four targets, despite playing 77 percent of the club’s offensive snaps.

Related players: Michael Wilson, Trey McBride, Kendrick Bourne

The team said it's not for a lack of effort, and acknowledged the team didn't pass well against the Seahawks with QB Jacoby Brissett having just 95 passing yards on 28 attempts. At the same time, Wilson has 14 targets in two games and McBride has 23. Bourne has 11. It's getting difficult for owners to put Harrison into fantasy lineups until this trend turns around.

Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) has returned to practice today.

Related players: Michael Penix

The team has named Penix the starter for Thursday night's game, so Tua's return means he'll likely be the backup assuming he's healthy enough to suit up. It's quick the turnaround for the Falcons offense, which had to play Cooper Rush the first two weeks. This is all hopefully good news for the likes of Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts.

Sean McVay on Puka Nacua: "I'm not sure what his status is as far as this next coming week. I'm hopeful that he'll play."

Mike Garafollo on the NFL Network reported Nacua is questionable heading into Week 3 and isn't a lock to play in what he said the team is calling a hip injury. This post went on to say in terms of a decision to have Nacua not play vs. Giants, McVay said, "it really just boiled down to kind of what I told you (last week), when you have soft tissue injuries with guys like that that are skill players, you're going to err on the side of caution." The Rams are set for yet another prime time game, this time at the Broncos in on Sunday night. Nacua owners will need to have a backup plan for Week 3.