San Francisco 49ers News

The Athletic's Vic Tafur reports San Francisco 49ers rookie wideout De'Zhaun Stribling continues to check off nice practices with a starting receiver role within reach. Stribling has been turning heads at the start of training camp and generating buzz that will start to increase his ADP in fantasy football. With recent news of Ricky Pearsall (knee) likely heading into season-ending surgery on his knee, it has opened the door for Stribling to be a fantasy-relevant receiver in Year 1. However, the team decided to bring back Deebo Samuel Sr. on a one-year deal on Thursday. It has yet to be seen if adding Samuel was a move to add depth to the roster or to play a contributing role this season. Stribling was the 33rd overall pick and the 49ers' first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. He was widely considered a big-bodied development receiver coming out of Ole Miss and was seen as a reach to some in the football community. Nonetheless, Stribling has a chance to be a starting receiver in a Kyle Shanahan offense, which means he will be worth keeping tabs on as training camp progresses.

The Athletic's Matt Barrows reported that the San Francisco 49ers are continuing to evaluate Ricky Pearsall's (knee) after he aggravated last year's knee injury in practice on Wednesday. Pearsall had experienced swelling during the first couple of days of training camp, which led to the initial health concerns. The news got worse for Pearsall on Thursday after reports that the 49ers were not expecting the 25-year-old to make any contributions in 2026. The 49ers were hoping the PCL issue would heal itself in the offseason, but it now appears that Pearsall is heading for season-ending surgery. As a result, the 49ers have signed Deebo Samuel Sr. for extra receiving depth, but he has yet to start practice with the team.

The San Francisco 49ers signed free-agent wide receiver Deebo Samuel on Thursday. According to Jordan Schultz, they've agreed on a one-year, $7 million deal for the upcoming 2026-2027 campaign. It was rumored that the two sides were interested in a reunion after Samuel left for the Washington Commanders last season. The 49ers are in need of reinforcements after the news that fellow wideout Ricky Pearsall (knee) could miss the entire season. Samuel figures to immediately slot alongside Mike Evans as the No. 2 wideout on this roster. The expectation is that rookie De'Zhaun Stribling and Christian Kirk will compete for the third wideout spot, assuming Pearsall is truly out for the year. Samuel is coming off a 72-catch season with the Commanders in 2025. He should be able to offer around top-30 upside at his position.

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said in January that wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) would never play for the organization again, but has the team's stance changed following a potential season-ending knee injury to Ricky Pearsall? The Niners signed the 28-year-old Aiyuk to a four-year, $120 million contract in August of 2024, and then the former first-rounder from Arizona State played in only seven games that year before suffering a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee. Aiyuk was looking like an ascending young wideout before getting a big new deal, recording back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with 15 total touchdowns in 2022 and 2023. His knee injury kept him sidelined for all of last year, at which point the off-the-field issues between Aiyuk and the 49ers started, causing the team to void the remaining guarantees in his contract. San Fran was hoping to trade Aiyuk this offseason, but they found no takers. He is on the left-squad list for the start of training camp, and the 49ers have been expected to cut him eventually. But with Pearsall likely done for the entire 2026 season, Aiyuk could be the team's locked-in WR2 behind Mike Evans if the two sides can put the past behind them. This scenario feels like a long shot, but we've seen crazier things happen.

San Francisco 49ers backup quarterback Mac Jones (undisclosed) is healthy for the start of training camp after dealing with an undisclosed issue during the offseason, according to Vic Tafur and Matt Barrows of The Athletic. Jones started slow in Wednesday's practice before improving throughout the session and finishing 11-for-15 passing. The 27-year-old signal-caller kept the Niners' offense afloat last year with Brock Purdy missing extended time with a turf-toe injury, throwing for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns, and six interceptions on 289 pass attempts in 11 games (eight starts) in his first year in the Bay Area. While Jones was not a standout by any means for fantasy football purposes as more of a game manager, he was a real-life savior for head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense, leading to the 49ers rebuffing trade inquiries on Jones in the offseason. That stance could change this summer if a QB-needy team makes the Niners an offer they can't refuse, but for now, Jones is an extremely valuable insurance policy for Purdy under center.

With the news that wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) is facing season-ending surgery for a PCL injury, it means that San Francisco 49ers All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey could see an even larger target share in the passing game in 2026. McCaffrey, who has a lengthy injury history of his own, was the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year in 2025 after he played in just four games due to injury in 2024. The four-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro was the top fantasy RB after running for 1,202 yards and 10 touchdowns on 311 carries while adding a whopping 102 receptions for 924 yards and another seven TDs on 129 targets across 17 starts. At this point in CMC's career as he heads into his 10th NFL season, it seems likely that the Niners would be looking for ways to reduce his workload, especially when considering his injury history and coming off a career-high 413 touches last year. But the 49ers might not have that luxury, with their players already dropping like flies due to injury early in training camp. As long as he's healthy, McCaffrey should continue to be the engine of head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense, cementing him as a no-doubt top-five fantasy RB.

It looks like the San Francisco 49ers are expecting wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) to miss the entire 2026 season, according to NBC Sports' Matt Maiocco. "This doesn't look good... I think it's reasonable, rational, logical, for the 49ers to NOT expect Ricky Pearsall to make any contribution in 2026," Maiocco said. The 25-year-old former first-rounder from the University of Florida played in only nine regular-season games in 2025 in his second year in the league due to a PCL injury in his knee. The 49ers were hoping that the PCL issue would heal itself in the offseason, but that doesn't appear to be the case after Pearsall experienced swelling in the same knee after running all the routes in the first few days of training camp. It now appears that Pearsall is headed for season-ending surgery, which will obviously make him undraftable in all single-year fantasy leagues in 2026. The oft-injured pass-catcher's dynasty/keeper-league stock also takes a big hit. With Pearsall likely done for the year, it gives rookie second-rounder De'Zhaun Stribling a real opportunity to lock down the WR3 role in San Fran behind veterans Mike Evans and Christian Kirk.

Updating a previous report, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) missed Wednesday's training camp practice with swelling in his right knee, and The Athletic's Vic Tafur and Matt Barrows report that he might now be looking at surgery. Pearsall injured his PCL in the same knee in Week 4 of last year, which forced him to miss six games. The 25-year-old was bothered by the same knee, at times when he returned to close out the 2025 season, too. Pearsall finished with 36 receptions for 528 yards and zero touchdowns on 53 targets in just nine starts. The former 31st overall pick in 2024 out of the University of Florida only played in 11 games as a rookie due to injury, and he could be looking at starting the 2026 regular season on the Physically Unable to Perform list or Injured Reserve, which would obviously tank his fantasy football value going into his third year in the NFL. The 49ers are concerned, and fantasy managers should be as well. If Pearsall requires knee surgery, rookie second-rounder De'Zhaun Stribling would be the favorite for WR3 duties in San Fran behind Mike Evans and Christian Kirk.

San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan James (rib) suffered a fractured rib in Monday's training camp practice and is set to miss some time, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. Injuries are striking the 49ers hard early in training camp, and James is the latest victim. The 22-year-old came into camp as the favorite for backup duties behind the oft-injured Christian McCaffrey, and while he should still be ready for the start of the 2026 regular season, his injury could open the door for third-round rookie Kaelon Black to slide into a more prominent change-of-pace role early on behind CMC. The former fifth-rounder last year from the University of Oregon appeared in three regular-season games as a rookie, but he didn't factor in at all on offense. James' early training camp injury makes him a less appealing handcuff option in deeper fantasy leagues to begin the 2026 campaign, but the jury is still out on who will win the RB2 job going into Week 1.

San Francisco 49ers rookie second-round wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling is looking at an increased opportunity early on with former first-rounder Ricky Pearsall (knee) currently out in training camp due to knee swelling, according to Vic Tafur of The Athletic. Stribling, who many considered a reach for San Fran with the first pick of the second round in April, had back-to-back 800-yard receiving seasons with six touchdowns apiece in his final two collegiate seasons with Oklahoma State and Ole Miss. The 23-year-old doesn't jump off the page with his physical skills, but he has displayed high-end leadership and work ethic, and if Pearsall isn't ready for the start of the 2026 regular season, Stribling figures to start in three-wide sets alongside veterans Mike Evans and Christian Kirk. Stribling's speed sets him apart from the other wideouts in San Fran, and Pearsall's continued injury issues are quickly making him a late-round sleeper in upcoming fantasy drafts. RotoBaller currently has Stribling ranked as the No. 78 fantasy WR, but his ADP will continue to rise for however long Pearsall is sidelined.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) is out at training camp with swelling in his knee, with The Athletic's Vic Tafur adding that "there is some concern." Pearsall has always had breakout potential since the Niners took him with the 31st overall pick in 2024 out of the University of Florida, but injuries have kept him from reaching his true ceiling. The 25-year-old's swelling is in the same knee that caused him to miss games last year, which is pretty concerning early in camp. In just nine games played in 2025, Pearsall caught 36 of 53 targets for 528 yards and zero touchdowns during the regular season. The 49ers have expected to eventually cut former first-rounder Brandon Aiyuk (knee), so if Pearsall cannot go for the start of the 2026 regular season, veteran Mike Evans, Christian Kirk, and rookie second-rounder De'Zhaun Stribling would most likely start in three-receiver sets in San Fran. Pearsall is a clear starter for the Niners if healthy, but knee issues early in camp will cause many fantasy managers to avoid him altogether in upcoming drafts.

After touching the ball an astounding 450 times in 2025, much of the offseason narrative surrounding San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey has been about how the team will handle his workload in his age-30 season, and through two days of training camp, there have been no indications of any holding him back. After standing out in his usual ways in the passing game during the team's first practice, 49ers digital editor Brooke Evans reports that he again saw steady volume in Day 2, totaling seven carries in team sessions and routinely working up to the second level. With CBA rules not allowing for full padded practices until the fifth or sixth session of camp, McCaffrey could continue to see heavy run with the first team offense, but it will be interesting to see how carries are divvied up when the pads do come on, particularly with a battle brewing between Jordan James and Kaelon Black for the ever-important insurance role behind the four-time All-Pro.

San Francisco 49ers rookie second-round wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling has quickly impressed quarterback Brock Purdy in training camp, according to Matt Lively of CBS Sports. Purdy said Stribling has paid close attention to the details of his routes and has "done a good job of studying" and "being on top of it." The 49ers' signal-caller went on to say that Stribling has proven that "he's reliable," while adding that it's also Day 2 of camp. Many draft pundits thought the Niners reached quite a bit for Stribling with the first overall pick of the second round in this year's NFL draft, but so far, he has backed it up. The 49ers have future Hall of Famer Mike Evans, Christian Kirk, and Ricky Pearsall in their receiver room as well, so Stribling still has a lot to prove. But those who took a chance on Stribling in dynasty/keeper leagues have to be happy with the early returns this summer. He mostly stands out for his speed on offense, but it might take an injury for Stribling to become fantasy relevant in standard 12-team leagues in 2026. RotoBaller currently has the Ole Miss product ranked as the No. 78 fantasy WR for the upcoming season.

San Francisco 49ers tight end Jake Tonges (foot) was active during the team's first training camp practice Sunday, with 49ers.com reporting that quarterback Brock Purdy connected with him during team periods. The report did not include a target or reception total, so the early involvement should not be treated as evidence of a major role change. Tonges caught 34 passes for 293 yards and five touchdowns across 17 games in 2025 after entering the season without a regular-season NFL reception. Four of those touchdowns came from inside the opponent's 20-yard line, and San Francisco re-signed him to a two-year contract in March. Tonges could receive additional opportunities while George Kittle (Achilles) remains on the Active/PUP list, though Luke Farrell, Brayden Willis, and Tanner McLachlan are also part of the tight end room. Tonges is worth monitoring in deeper formats during Kittle's recovery, but one early camp connection with Purdy is not enough to establish a dependable fantasy role.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Christian Kirk did not practice Monday because of a calf issue, according to Nick Wagoner. Matt Maiocco later reported that Kirk sustained a calf strain, but no timetable for his return has been announced. The 29-year-old signed a one-year contract with San Francisco in March after catching 28 passes for 239 yards and one touchdown across 13 games with the Houston Texans in 2025. Kirk is trying to establish a role in a reworked receiving corps that also includes Mike Evans, Ricky Pearsall, and second-round rookie De'Zhaun Stribling, whom the 49ers selected 33rd overall. Any extended absence would cost Kirk valuable time in a new offense and could create additional camp opportunities for the team's other receivers. For now, the lack of a reported timetable makes Kirk's participation worth monitoring, but there is not enough information to determine how much time he will miss.

Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) is still technically a member of the San Francisco 49ers, but he remained absent over the weekend for the start of training camp, and the two sides are eventually expected to part ways. Aiyuk spent much of the summer criticizing general manager John Lynch, head coach Kyle Shanahan, and the organization on social media. Lynch said back in January that Aiyuk would likely never play for the team again, but the Niners haven't found a trade partner and haven't outright released the former first-rounder. Aiyuk has repeatedly said on social media that he plans to sign with the Washington Commanders, and that he's the "final piece" to unlocking their offense, according to Matt Barrows and Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. Before all of Aiyuk's social-media comments, sources said that the Commanders likely would have considered a short-term, highly incentivized contract with him if he was released. But the more Aiyuk has posted on social media, "the more he has seemed to jeopardize his hopes of returning to an active NFL roster." According to sources, Aiyuk's behavior changed after he signed a four-year, $120 million deal in August of 2024, and then he played in seven games that season before tearing multiple ligaments in his knee. In addition to being in limbo heading into the 2026 season, it's unclear what kind of shape Aiyuk is in physically. All we know is that his fantasy value has hit rock bottom.

Following an impressive spring with the team, veteran wide receiver Mike Evans was named an early standout in his first training camp practice with the San Francisco 49ers, with The Athletic's Matt Barrows pointing to a pair of long connections from quarterback Brock Purdy. Evans signed a three-year, $42 million deal this offseason after 12 Hall of Fame-level seasons with the Buccaneers, and big things are expected in a Kyle Shanahan offense that should frequently see him deployed out of two-receiver sets. An injury-marred 2025 campaign marked Evans' first season without reaching 1,000 receiving yards, but he's looking to bounce back in a big way, and it looks as if his chemistry with Purdy is already being established. Evans is RotoBaller's WR26 and a sleeper candidate for a WR1 finish with a bit of touchdown luck in his age-33 season.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Christian Kirk (undisclosed) exited the team's training camp practice on Sunday due to an undisclosed injury, per Matt Barrows of The Athletic. Kirk is entering his first year in San Francisco after recording 28 catches for 239 yards and one touchdown on 52 targets across 13 games with the Houston Texans in 2025. Entering training camp, Kirk is likely atop the 49ers' depth chart at slot receiver. However, injuries have been a major problem for the 29-year-old in recent years, as he's missed 18 games over the last three seasons. While the extent of Kirk's current ailment is unclear, it's not a great sign that he's already battling health injuries this early in the summer. If Kirk is unable to establish himself as a key piece in San Francisco, it could open up more opportunities early on for rookie wideout De'Zhaun Stribling.

San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan James was "clearly the RB2 behind Christian McCaffrey" in the team's training camp practice on Sunday, per Brad Graham of TheSFNiners.com. A fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, James did not record a single carry in his rookie season. Still, the 49ers enter training camp with a void at backup running back following the offseason departure of former back Brian Robinson Jr. in free agency. James is likely competing with 2026 third-rounder Kaelon Black for the role this summer. As long as McCaffrey is healthy, neither James nor Black has much of a path to fantasy relevance. However, McCaffrey is entering his age-30 season after recording an NFL-high 413 touches in 2025. If James emerges as the clear RB2 in San Francisco, he would profile as a priority handcuff running back for fantasy managers to target late in drafts.

The San Francisco 49ers placed running back Isaac Guerendo (pectoral) on the Physically Unable to Perform list to start training camp on Saturday, according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports. Guerendo is not ready to practice with the team after suffering a torn pectoral muscle while lifting weights in the offseason. The 26-year-old former fourth-rounder in 2024 from the University of Louisville had 84 carries for 420 yards (5.0 yards per carry) and four rushing touchdowns in 16 games (three starts) as a rookie, but he didn't have a single rushing attempt or a target in the 14 games he appeared in during last regular season, quickly falling out of favor in San Fran's backfield. Entering his third year in the NFL, Guerendo is looking like the team's RB4, at best, behind Christian McCaffrey, Jordan James, and rookie Kaelon Black. Guerendo's elite speed sets him apart, but already falling behind in camp is another bad sign for his already plummeting fantasy value. It's hard to recommend holding him in dynasty/keeper leagues at this point.