Team news: San Francisco 49ers

49ers Monday practice vibes Week 4: Brandon Aiyuk is participating but not seen [is] Deebo Samuel (ribs).

Samuel did return to the game in Week 3 so that's at least some good news for owners monitoring his rib injury. Aiyuk missed Week 3 so it seems like he's trending in the right direction. We'll know more about both players as the week goes on. The Niners host the Cardinals in a later afternoon game in Week 4.

49ers’ WR Brandon Aiyuk, listed as questionable for tonight’s game due to a shoulder injury, is not expected to play vs. the Giants.

Related Players: Deebo Samuel, Jauan Jennings, Ronnie Bell

The 49ers rarely have their "Big Four" all on the field simultaneously, which is a shame because it's such a fun offense to watch when it's rolling. We can expect a slight uptick in target share for both George Kittle and Deebo Samuel, while it's also likely Christian McCaffrey will get a little more action as a receiver. Though Jauan Jennings had a couple of big plays in the team's Week 2 victory, it's not enough to consider him in fantasy outside of DFS Showdown slates.

Brandon Aiyuk (shoulder) will be, as expected, a game-time decision for 49ers-Giants on TNF, per John Lynch on KNBR

Related Players: Deebo Samuel, Jauan Jennings, Ronnie Bell

The 49ers rarely have their "Big Four" all on the field simultaneously, which is a shame because it's such a fun offense to watch when it's rolling. We can expect a slight uptick in target share for both George Kittle and Deebo Samuel, while it's also likely Christian McCaffrey will get a little more action as a receiver. Though Jauan Jennings had a couple of big plays in the team's Week 2 victory, it's not enough to consider him in fantasy outside of DFS Showdown slates.

According to source, Brandon Aiyuk had a CT scan yesterday. It revealed no break to the clavicle area.

Those in the medical field believe Aiyuk is dealing with an AC sprain. And as the post said, his status for Thursday night's game will be all about pain tolerance. It all makes Aiyuk a potential risky fantasy play even if he's active for TNF. Continue to monitor his progress.

When asked whether there are any potential long-term concerns surrounding Brandon Aiyuk, Kyle Shanahan said, “I wouldn’t think so. I mean, I know he was hurting a little bit, but he was able to play through it. So I think he’ll be alright.”

Aiyuk was listed as DNP for Monday. The 49ers have a short week in a home game against the Giants, so the team could use some caution with a quick turnaround and not rush him back. We'll continue to monitor his progress as we get closer to TNF.

In the middle of a busy Monday as the 49ers prepare to face the New York Giants on a short week, the team was uncertain about the status of wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.

Aiyuk sustained a left shoulder injury during the opening drive of the 49ers’ Week 2 victory over the Los Angeles Rams.

He made a diving 13-yard reception and landed hard on the artificial surface at SoFi Stadium.

“It’s too early to have all the answers to the injuries, yet,” Shanahan told local reporters on a conference call.

Aiyuk’s availability appears to be the 49ers’ biggest injury concern entering the Week 3 game. The story added Aiyuk played 30 of the 49ers’ 57 offensive plays, as the 49ers mixed in rookie wide receiver Ronnie Bell and Jauan Jennings, each of whom was on the field for 27 snaps. Aiyuk owners will likely want to come up with a backup plan now since it's a short week for the Niners.

Kyle Shanahan says the 49ers have to do a better job with their RB rotation — Elijah Mitchell didn't see any carries and Shanahan said that was NOT the plan.

McCaffrey had 23 touches in Week 2 and fantasy owners rejoiced again. The 49ers likely feel that isn't a pace McCaffrey can sustain over a full season. While Mitchell has proved to be a capable back, he has just five carries for 10 yards, all coming in Week 1. He's still a valuable handcuff to CMC, but the standalone value isn't there yet.

In the last 10 years, five running backs have been taken in the top 10. Four of the five (Saquon Barkley, Ezekiel Elliott, Leonard Fournette and Todd Gurley) had 229 carries or more in their rookie season. The fifth (Christian McCaffrey) had only 117 carries but added 80 catches. When teams draft backs in the top 10, like Bijan Robinson, they use them a lot.

Related players: Tyler Allgeier, Cordarrelle Patterson

The author went on to say Allgeier will still get plenty of use because the Falcons ran the ball an NFL-high 559 times last year. So even if Robinson carries the ball 250 times, there are still plenty of carries to go around. Patterson’s role is a little bit more of a mystery, the story added. He'll be third on the team in carries, according to the author, but how far back he’s going to be is a question mark. The prediction is Patterson's 144 carries from a year ago could get cut in half this season.

Trade: The 49ers are sending their former No. 3 overall pick Trey Lance to the Dallas Cowboys for a mid-round. Lance now gets a fresh start in Dallas.

Related Players: Sam Darnold, Cooper Rush, Will Grier

All things considered, this feels like a great deal for all teams involved. Regardless of what we think about the 49ers sacrificing so many picks to grab Lance in the first place, it didn't make any sense for them to keep him, as he has apparently become a third-stringer. The Cowboys had to give away only a fourth-round pick for what could be an exciting backup option, and Trey Lance gets a new start after what presumably has been a rough first couple of years in the league.

In fantasy terms, Lance at least becomes a hold in deep 2QB dynasty leagues.