Team news: Washington Commanders | Page 18

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.

But in the Cardinals’ Week 6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, it was Trey McBride — not Zach Ertz — pacing the tight ends room in offensive snaps (44). His receptions (four) and receiving yards (62) were also tied for the team lead.

HC Jonathan Gannon said McBride has been consistent since OTAs. He also called him an explosive player and a good blocker. McBride may not be on the fantasy radar just yet, but now could be the time to add him, especially if you are among the fantasy owners who don't have a legit TE1 option.

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.

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Deebo Samuel's X-rays on his shoulder were negative.

This is the life of Samuel owners it seems... After a great performance in Week 3, Samuel looked to be mostly a decoy in Week 4 before somewhat bouncing back in Week 5. But Week 6 was another early exit for Samuel. The good news is Samuel's shoulder injury doesn't appear to be serious which should give him a chance to be back on the field for Week 7. But the Niners don't play until Monday night so owners many want to have a backup plan. Samuel will be tough to trust even if he gets the green light for Week 7.

49ers WR Deebo Samuel has now been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday’s game against the Browns with a shoulder injury.

Samuel was initially deemed questionable to return but now is out for the rest of the game. Samuel wound up with just one target (which was not caught) and 11 rushing yards. The 49ers are in a tight battle with the Browns, whose defense has really held the 49ers in check thus far.

49ers WR Deebo Samuel is questionable to return with a shoulder injury.

Samuel is in the locker room after initially going to the medical tent on the sideline. The 49ers have both him and left tackle Trent Williams questionable to return, certainly a ding to their offense. For now, we could see even more of an uptick for Christian McCaffrey -- who scored a touchdown, surprise, surprise -- and Brandon Aiyuk.

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) is off the team’s injury report and is good to go for Monday against the Cowboys.

This will be Ekeler’s first game since the season opener against Miami. The bye week gave Ekeler one more week of rest and now he is ready to roll on Monday night against the Cowboys. The offense should go back to going through Ekeler quite a bit, spending right back where he belongs, near the top of fantasy boards.

Titans’ WR Treylon Burks will not travel to London for Sunday’s game vs the Ravens and is out.

Related Players: DeAndre Hopkins, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Kyle Philips

Burks will now miss his third straight matchup and is firmly on pace to be a disappointing draft-day selection. In a passing attack that is so often difficult to watch, DeAndre Hopkins is the only player we should be aiming for in fantasy.

Austin Ekeler is on the field doing individual drills.

Ekeler injured his ankle back in Week 1 and hasn't played since. He'll be a welcome return to the Chargers offense and could even be a boost for QB Justin Herbert. Keep an eye on his practice status for the rest of the but it appears he could be back for Week 6. The possible bad news to this is the Chargers play on Monday night at home against Dallas, so the hope would be we know Ekeler's status well before that game takes place.