Team news: San Francisco 49ers | Page 30

Potentially significant: 49ers QB Brock Purdy is in the NFL's concussion protocol, coach Kyle Shanahan tells reporters.

Related Players: Sam Darnold, Brandon Allen

Shanahan has repeatedly gotten the most out of his quarterbacks, making just about anyone that starts a full game at least worth considering. In deep leagues —particularly Superflex Dynasty leagues— it's worth checking if Darnold is sitting on your waiver wires.

The #Patriots waived QB/WR Malik Cunningham.

Related players: Mac Jones, Will Grier, Bailey Zappe

It's a bit of a shocker as Cunningham was recently the team's QB2 and seemingly a step away from starting with Jones struggling. Jones is coming off a good game against Buffalo and now Zappe or Grier look to be back in line as the backup to Jones.

49ers RB Christian McCaffrey (oblique) is expected to go tonight.

Related players: Jordan Mason, Elijah Mitchell

This has been the trend since late last week. The Niners should be able to handle the Vikings and their defense, so it's possible if things get out of hand CMC has an early night. But for now, he's expected to go on MNF and should obviously be in lineups. But, there could be a few more carries for Mason and/or Mitchell tonight depending on the flow of the game.

49ers WR Deebo Samuel (shoulder) is out for Monday's game against the Vikings and at least another game while RB Christian McCaffrey (oblique) is questionable.

Samuel has a hairline fracture. He will miss at least the next two games against the Vikings and Bengals. The 49ers have their bye in Week 9 so Samuel could potentially return in Week 10 against the Jaguars. McCaffrey, on the other hand, was able to practice in a limited setting Saturday, his first practice of the week. Maybe that's a good sign of him playing, but it feels like a true 50/50. Jordan Mason and Elijah Mitchell are behind McCaffrey. The 49ers will also likely be without star left tackle Trent Williams, as he is listed as doubtful with an ankle injury.

49ers RB Christian McCaffrey (oblique/rib), WR Deebo Samuel (shoulder) and LT Trent Williams (ankle) will NOT practice today, per Kyle Shanahan.

No surprise, as Williams and McCaffrey rarely practice on the first day of the week anyway. Tomorrow is a better indicator of progress.

Related Players: Elijah Mitchell, Jordan Mason

Another source following this tweet mentioned that Kyle Shanahan said that McCaffrey's MRI was "encouraging" and he should be considered day-to-day. We have to assume that his workload will at least be cut back if he plays in Week 7, but bench him at your own risk. We will keep an eye on Deebo Samuel's status for Friday's practice.

Trade: Jets informed former Chiefs’ WR Mecole Hardman that he is being sent back to Kansas City in another late-round draft pick swap.

Related Players: Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Rashee Rice, Skyy Moore, Justin Watson

Hardman had only two routes on the 21 routes he ran with the Jets, and was clearly not a part of the gameplan after the team went out and signed all of the former Packers receivers. There's a chance that he will yet again carve out a piece of the Chiefs offense for himself as their current group hasn't been very exciting.

None of the injuries to 49ers’ standouts Christian McCaffrey (oblique), Deebo Samuel (shoulder) and Trent Williams (ankle) are considered long-term, per sources. Each has a chance to be ready for Monday night’s game at Minnesota, though the work week will help determine who can play and who can’t.

Of course the bad news for owners is the game is Monday night, so if Samuel and CMC are both game-time decisions, it could leave owners in a bind. Have a backup plan in place.

As the Patriots try to avoid falling to 1-6 on Sunday against the Bills, Mac Jones will once again be the starting quarterback.

Via Dakota Randall of NESN.com, offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien told reporters on Tuesday that Jones will retain his job.

“Yes,” O’Brien said in response to the question of whether Jones will continue to start.

Related players: Malik Cunningham, Bailey Zappe, Will Grier

The story went to say O’Brien said Cunningham’s role will be determined on a “week to week” basis. Cunningham has leapfrogged Zappe, who served as the emergency quarterback on Sunday. Cunningham played on just six snaps last week.

As I understand it, Christian McCaffrey's injury is more of a pain-tolerance thing. The extra day helps. At this point, it's not out of the question McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel and Trent Williams can all be available.

Related players: Jordan Mason, Elijah Mitchell

The bad news for owners of McCaffrey, and Samuel, is the game is a Monday night contest against the Vikings. Owners of both players will likely need a backup plan in place heading into this week as it's possible both players are game-time calls. According to other reports, McCaffrey's status is a bit more tenuous, as the team is still waiting for more information about McCaffrey, according to ESPN.

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan gives injury updates on RB Christian McCaffrey (oblique/ribs) and WR Deebo Samuel (shoulder):

CMC is currently having an MRI.

Deebo will be day-to-day.

Related players: Elijah Mitchell, Jordan Mason, Tyrion Davis-Price

Unfortunately, it's not an impactful update... Fantasy owners will be waiting anxiously for further updates on McCaffrey's MRI results. While Samuel is day-to-day, he will be tough to trust even if he plays after he seemed to be a decoy just two weeks ago. If CMC can't go, Mitchell and Mason could split the workload. Mason has been good and scored another touchdown against the Browns with McCaffrey sidelined. It followed a 10-69-1 line on Oct. 8 in mop-up duty against the Cowboys. Mitchell was just back this past week but rushed two times for -3 yards.