Team news: San Francisco 49ers | Page 1

The 49ers released kicker Matt Gay and quarterback Adrian Martinez from the practice squad on Tuesday, the team announced.

Related players: Eddy Pineiro

Pineiro is ready to return from a Grade 1 right hamstring strain. He has not played since a Nov. 16 game against the Cardinals, the story said. Gay made all four field goal attempts and all four PATs during his time with the Niners.

GM John Lynch was asked on KNBR whether it was realistic that Brandon Aiyuk could play for the 49ers this season. "Realistic? I'm not sure," Lynch said. "Hopeful."

That certainly doesn't sound reassuring, but given the recent news around Aiyuk - not surprising either. It was recently reported the team voided Aiyuk's 2026 guarantees in his contract, so it seems unlikely Aiyuk is in any hurry to get back this season, even if the team would open his 21-day window for his knee injury.

BREAKING: Brandon Aiyuk’s 2026 guarantees were voided by the 49ers, sources tell me and @DMRussini.

Now, 15 months after signing a four-year extension worth $120 million, the two sides appear headed toward a stunning divorce.

Russini/Silver followed this up by saying, "It’s now likely that he has played his last game with the franchise, according to numerous sources briefed on the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive situation. Some in the organization are holding out hope that the relationship can be salvaged enough for him to return this season. However, multiple sources believe that a reconciliation is unlikely."

This is miserable news for those of us who have been stashing Aiyuk away on IR slots all season long, and it looks like he is fine to drop.

Eddy Pineiro has a grade 1 hamstring strain and will miss some time.

The Niners will need to sign a new kicker heading into Monday night's game against the Panthers.

The 49ers won't open the practice windows for either Brandon Aiyuk (knee) or Jacob Cowing (hamstring) this week, Shanahan said.

Cowing's won't be opened until after the Week 14 bye. Aiyuk remains week to week, Shanahan said, according to the post. The team is planning to have Aiyuk back, but continue with the slow process in making that happen.

49ers quarterback Brock Purdy made a successful return to the lineup against the Cardinals on Sunday.

“No, I didn’t even think about it, honestly, in the game or anything,” Purdy said, via 49ersWebzone.com about his toe injury. “At practice and everything, that’s where I tested it all out. I’m like, at practice, rolling out, ‘All right, do I feel it, do I not?’ No, I don’t, I feel great. And then come [game-time] when I warmed up and everything, I didn’t even think about it. It felt great. Throughout the game and stuff, I was able to do everything — scramble, keepers, roll-outs, step up in the pocket. I played quarterback.”

Related players: Mac Jones

Purdy had been out since aggravating a toe injury in Week 4, but he didn’t show many signs of rust while completing 19-of-26 passes for 200 yards and three touchdowns in a 41-22 win. The 49ers took a cautious approach with Purdy’s return to minimize further issues with the injury, the story went on to say. The Niners look to be in good shape, hosting the Panthers this coming week and then traveling to Cleveland before a Week 14 bye.

Shanahan did not have any positive changes to report about wideout Brandon Aiyuk. He remains on the physically unable to perform list as a result of last season’s knee injury and Shanahan said he will not return to practice ahead of the team’s Week 11 game against the Cardinals.

The news on Aiyuk has been back and forth as of late. A few weeks ago a report said he wasn't close but a more recent report indicated he was getting closer. It will get tough and tougher to trust Aiyuk in fantasy lineups even if he does return sooner than later, especially as we head down the stretch of the fantasy regular season and then the fantasy playoffs.

The 49ers are hoping to get Ricky Pearsall (knee) back for practice this week.

Pearsall has missed six games with his knee injury and the Niners can always use more weapons on offense with QB Mac Jones under center and a big workload burden falling on RB Christian McCaffrey.

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters following Sunday's loss against the Rams that he hopes there's a chance for quarterback Brock Purdy to return in Week 11 against the Cardinals.

"I do believe he's further along than he was (in Week 4)," Shanahan said. "So hopefully he'll have a chance this week." Shanahan also said Purdy "could have gone today" as the backup but wanted to hold him out one more week. Purdy has been out since Week 4 and has played in just two games this season. Mac Jones threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns, his third game this season with 300 passing yards (two vs. Rams) and his third straight multi-touchdown game, which has allowed San Francisco to be cautious with Purdy's return. Jones threw for 284 and a touchdown in Week 3 against Arizona.

49ers will start Mac Jones at QB vs Rams

OUT
WR Ricky Pearsall
QUESTIONABLE
QB Brock Purdy
DT Alfred Collins
DT Kalia Davis
LB Dee Winters
LB Tatum Bethune
DL Keion White

Related Players: Jauan Jennings, Kendrick Bourne, Demarcus Robinson, Jordan Watkins

Jones is once again in SuperFlex starting range, but can be looked over for better plays in typical leagues.

Jennings is in WR3 range, but George Kittle is the only other pass-catcher we should trust in fantasy.