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49ers’ Mac Jones to start again as Brock Purdy, Ricky Pearsall ruled out vs. Falcons

Fri Oct 17 7:22pm ET
Field Level Media

The San Francisco 49ers will again turn to backup quarterback Mac Jones with starter Brock Purdy out for Sunday's matchup with the Atlanta Falcons, head coach Kyle Shanahan said Friday.

Purdy continues to recover from a lingering toe injury that he aggravated in Week 4. Jones, who has gone 2-2 as a starter this season, will make his fifth consecutive start after returning to full practice participation late in the week.

Meanwhile, Ricky Pearsall will miss his third straight game with a sprained knee.

The 49ers received better news elsewhere on offense, with tight end George Kittle cleared to return from a hamstring injury that had kept him sidelined since Week 1. Shanahan said Kittle will have "no pitch count" in his return.

"George has rehabbed really well, came back 100 percent, had a good week of practice," Shanahan said.

Despite a rash of injuries to key players, including season-enders for defensive stars Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, San Francisco enters Week 7 with a 4-2 record and tied for first in the NFC West with the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks.

Shanahan said the team hopes to have Purdy back "soon" after he practiced each day this week.

"He was able to get out there, throw more," Shanahan said of Purdy on Friday. "Thought it was definitely a step further ahead than it was last week, so going in the right direction."

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Starts, Sits, Sleepers: Week 7

Player Notes
Cam Skattebo Oct 18 2:20am ET
Cam Skattebo

New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo's incredible emergence makes him a must-start, albeit risky, low-end RB1/high-end RB2 for the tough road matchup in Denver. Skattebo, currently the 10th-ranked fantasy RB averaging 15.22 points per game, is coming off a massive 28 fantasy point performance where he rushed for 98 yards and three touchdowns against the Eagles. This week, his volume will be tested against the Broncos' elite defense, which ranks 4th against fantasy running backs, allowing only 17.47 fantasy points per game. Crucially, the Denver defense has been a red-zone wall, ranking 1st in the NFL by allowing a minuscule 28.6% touchdown rate and a league-low two rushing touchdowns all season, directly threatening Skattebo's primary source of his five touchdowns. Skattebo's immense workload and role near the goal line, however, keep his ceiling high despite the difficult on-paper matchup against a run defense allowing just 89 rushing yards per game.

From RotoBaller

Tyrone Tracy Jr. Oct 18 2:10am ET
Tyrone Tracy Jr.

New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. is a low-end flex option for Week 7, as he is firmly relegated to the backup role behind rookie Cam Skattebo. Tracy's season-long statistics are already concerning, with only 74 rushing yards on 26 carries for a meager 2.8 average yards per carry, and zero touchdowns on the year. This week presents a very challenging matchup, as the Broncos' defense ranks as the 4th-ranked fantasy defense against running backs, allowing just 17.47 fantasy points per game. Their rush defense is stifling, giving up only 89.0 rushing yards per game and having allowed a league-low two rushing touchdowns on the season. Following his return in Week 6, Tracy managed only four carries for six yards, suggesting minimal opportunity against one of the NFL's most dominant defenses.

From RotoBaller

Harrison Butker Oct 18 2:00am ET
Harrison Butker

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker will face the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 7. Butker knocked through his only field goal attempt from 33 yards away towards the end of the fourth quarter of Week 6. The Chiefs kicker has been relatively productive on the backs of Kansas City's offensive resurgence, but he hasn't been impressive. Butker has missed at least one kick in five of six games this season, and his FG% this year is nearly 10% lower than his career average. Despite his struggles, Butker should be in play again with the Chiefs tied for the highest implied team total this week against the Raiders. The Chiefs are massive home favorites, and Butker should get plenty of opportunities to cash in. Butker is ranked K6 in our RotoBaller rankings, making him a good start at the position.

From RotoBaller

Jaxson Dart Oct 18 1:50am ET
Jaxson Dart

New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart will face his toughest test yet against the elite Denver Broncos defense, making him a risky QB2 for Week 7. Dart's fantasy value is propped up by his rushing, as he has posted over 50 yards and a touchdown on the ground in two of his three starts, accumulating 167 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the season. However, the Broncos' pass defense is a massive concern, as they rank second in the NFL in points allowed per game (15.8) and are the second-worst matchup for fantasy quarterbacks, allowing only 11.62 fantasy points per game. Furthermore, Dart has been sacked seven times in three starts, and he will now face a Broncos team that leads the league with an astounding 30 sacks. His mobility and willingness to run are his best hope for a decent floor, but the matchup's difficulty makes him hard to trust as a starting option.

From RotoBaller

Cam Ward Oct 18 1:40am ET
Cam Ward

Tennessee Titans quarterback Cameron Ward has already faced plenty of adversity this week after his head coach was fired mid-season. Now, to make matters worse, Ward will face off against a New England Patriots team that has been terrific over the last two weeks. The Patriots have enjoyed resounding wins over the Bills and Saints, largely due to big contributions from the defensive side of the ball. That same defense will look to make life extra difficult for Ward in his first game with interim head coach Mike McCoy -- his third different head coach over the last 12 months. The rookie No. 1 pick has struggled through his first six NFL contests, completing just 55 percent of his passes for 1,101 passing yards, three touchdowns, four interceptions, and four lost fumbles. The staggeringly high turnover-to-touchdown ratio could possibly grow even larger this week; not only has New England forced four turnovers in its last two games, but it has also allowed the 13th-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks in 2025. Ward should be avoided at all costs in Week 7.

From RotoBaller

Brashard Smith Oct 18 1:40am ET
Brashard Smith

Kansas City Chiefs running back Brashard Smith will face the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 7. The rookie did not handle a single carry in the 30-17 victory over the Detroit Lions last week, but he did handle his normal allotment of receptions. Smith has three receptions in each of the last three games and he's averaging 8.9 yards per catch. The 22-year-old was a wide receiver at the University of Miami, but proved his ability to run between the tackles at SMU. That said, the Chiefs have not allowed him to handle many carries, likely due to his small stature. The smaller back is a speedster with 4.39 speed, and Kansas City is likely trying to maximize his efficiency by getting him in space. There is a chance that his role grows as the season goes on, but it's not likely to happen this week against the Raiders. The Raiders have been middle-of-the-pack against running backs, but with Kansas City being massive home favorites, Isiah Pacheco should be the favorite for more carries to run out the clock. Smith is ranked RB49 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him nothing more than a bench stash until he gets a larger workload.

From RotoBaller

Eddy Pineiro Oct 18 1:30am ET
Eddy Pineiro

San Francisco 49ers kicker Eddy Pineiro has been one of the NFL's top scorers lately, going 8-for-8 on field goals and 3-for-3 on extra points over his last two games. The 30-year-old has been a terrific addition for the Niners, who moved on from the plight of Jake Moody earlier this year and have gotten consistent production out of his replacement. This week, Pineiro takes on the Atlanta Falcons, who rank near the middle of the league in limiting kicker points. The Falcons have allowed the 12th-most fantasy points to kickers, giving Pineiro an opportunity to remain highly effective yet again. He should be streamed and/or started in most leagues this week.

From RotoBaller

Blake Grupe Oct 18 1:10am ET
Blake Grupe

New Orleans Saints kicker Blake Grupe was perfect in Week 6, making all four field goal attempts and his lone extra point in the loss to the Patriots. This marks his second straight game with four field goals, and with New Orleans struggling to reach the end zone, Grupe has established himself as one of the more reliable fantasy kickers, currently ranking fifth overall. He's 14-for-19 on field goals and 9-for-9 on extra points this season. Grupe faces the Bears in Week 7, who have allowed 8.2 fantasy points per game to kickers, 10th in the league. With the Saints moving the ball but struggling to score touchdowns, Grupe offers a strong floor and high-upside production for fantasy rosters.

From RotoBaller

Brian Robinson Jr. Oct 18 1:00am ET
Brian Robinson Jr.

San Francisco 49ers running back Brian Robinson Jr. has maintained a depth role throughout the first six weeks of the 2025 NFL season, and that should remain the case this Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. Robinson is averaging just 4.5 carries and 0.8 receptions per game with his new team, failing to carve out any significant workload behind Christian McCaffrey. While there's no question that he is a top handcuff who could be a low-end RB1 if McCaffrey were to miss time, for now, he's a non-factor in fantasy football. Managers in deeper leagues should stash him on the bench, and managers in shallow leagues can leave him on waivers.

From RotoBaller

Kareem Hunt Oct 18 12:50am ET
Kareem Hunt

Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt will take on the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 7. Hunt handled six carries for 23 yards and one catch for 11 yards in Week 6 against the Detroit Lions. The veteran running back continued his run of inefficient games, averaging under 4.0 yards per carry for the fifth time in six games this season. Despite his struggles, the Chiefs put him in goal-line situations and allowed him the opportunity to score three rushing touchdowns this season. Hunt and Isiah Pacheco had split the backfield opportunities nearly 50/50 until Week 6. Pacheco handled 12 carries compared to Hunt's six, and the former was more efficient with his touches. If the Chiefs decide to feed Pacheco more each week, Hunt's usage in the offense could be trending down. Despite having a nice matchup against the Raiders, who have allowed eight rushing touchdowns this season, Hunt is ranked RB34 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings this week. Hunt should be viewed as an RB3/Flex option against the Las Vegas Raiders.

From RotoBaller

Taysom Hill Oct 18 12:50am ET
Taysom Hill

New Orleans Saints tight end/quarterback Taysom Hill recorded just one carry for one yard in the Week 6 loss to the Patriots, but it was enough for the 35-year-old Swiss Army knife to find the end zone. This was only his second game back since tearing his ACL in Week 13 of 2024, and so far he's logged seven carries for zero yards and a touchdown while also completing his lone pass attempt for 19 yards in Week 5. Hill remains one of the most unpredictable players in football, but a favorable matchup against a Bears defense allowing 156.4 rushing yards per game could give him a spark. He ranks as a TE2 with week-winning upside if he sees enough opportunities across the board.

From RotoBaller

Juwan Johnson Oct 18 12:50am ET
Juwan Johnson

New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson has seen his opportunities in the offense quickly decline, recording just two receptions for 17 yards in Week 6 against the Patriots. He also had a season-low two targets and lost a fumble in the contest. Johnson's fall from TE1 status coincides with the returns of fellow tight ends Taysom Hill and Foster Moreau, as well as a drop in passing attempts from quarterback Spencer Rattler, who averaged 36.5 attempts per game from Weeks 1-4, but just 28 over the last two games. Johnson now ranks TE30 on RotoBaller and can be safely left off rosters in most leagues.

From RotoBaller

Rashid Shaheed Oct 18 12:40am ET
Rashid Shaheed

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed recorded four receptions for 28 yards on six targets in the Week 6 loss to the Patriots. The 28 yards marked a season low for Shaheed, who remains heavily dependent on the deep ball. Unfortunately, quarterback Spencer Rattler ranks just 28th in the league with six yards per attempt, limiting those big-play chances. Shaheed will look to rebound against a Bears defense that has allowed 213 passing yards per game, 15th-best in the league. He remains a touchdown-dependent, boom-or-bust option for Week 7.

From RotoBaller

Kendre Miller Oct 18 12:30am ET
Kendre Miller

New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller recorded eight carries for 21 yards and added one reception for 11 yards in Week 6's loss to the Patriots. His 2.6 yards per carry wasn't surprising, as New England allows just 83.5 rushing yards per game, the fourth-best mark in the league. Before this contest, Miller had logged double-digit touches in back-to-back games, totalling 114 yards and a touchdown. He'll look to get back on track against a Bears defense surrendering 156.4 rushing yards per game, the second-worst mark in the league. Miller is still fighting for a consistent role in the offense, but the favorable matchup gives him some Flex appeal in Week 7.

From RotoBaller

Demarcus Robinson Oct 18 12:30am ET
Demarcus Robinson

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Demarcus Robinson has generated some fantasy buzz after Ricky Pearsall (knee) was ruled out. However, managers should exercise caution and avoid rushing to add him off waivers ahead of Week 7. The 31-year-old took on a big role with an 85 percent snap share and seven targets just two games ago, but his role dwindled when Jauan Jennings (ankle, rib, shoulder) returned last Sunday. With Jennings on track to play again this weekend, and Kendrick Bourne also expected to handle a significant role, Robinson's outlook is relatively bleak. He is third on the depth chart at wide receiver and should also lose targets to players like Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle. Managers in leagues with 14 teams or fewer can avoid Robinson this week.

From RotoBaller

Isiah Pacheco Oct 18 12:30am ET
Isiah Pacheco

Kansas City running back Isiah Pacheco will face the Las Vegas Raiders at home in Week 7. Pacheco turned 12 carries in 51 rushing yards against the Detroit Lions in Week 6. Despite the 30-17 victory last week, Pacheco was unable to turn in a productive fantasy performance, but there are reasons for optimism moving forward. His 12 carries in Week 6 were a season-high and double the number of carries Kareem Hunt handled on Monday night. Pacheco's 51 rushing yards were also a season-high and hopefully a sign of things to come. The 26-year-old still has not collected a rushing touchdown this season, but that could change against the Raiders this week. Las Vegas has allowed the fifth-most rushing touchdowns this season. Pacheco has been efficient on limited touches this season, and his usage could be trending up. Pacheco is ranked RB28 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a flex-worthy player this week.

From RotoBaller

Spencer Rattler Oct 18 12:00am ET
Spencer Rattler

New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler completed 20-of-26 passes for 227 scoreless yards and added four rushes for 20 yards in Week 6's loss to the Patriots. He attempted a season-low 26 passes but committed zero turnovers for the fifth time in six games, and his 6:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio ranks seventh in the league. Rattler has been efficient, completing 68.5% of his passes, though he's averaging just six yards per attempt, 28th in the league. He looks to maintain that efficiency and find the end zone against the Bears in Week 7, who have allowed a league-worst 2.6 passing touchdowns per game. Rattler profiles as a high-upside QB2 or Superflex option in the matchup.

From RotoBaller

Kendrick Bourne Oct 17 11:50pm ET
Kendrick Bourne

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne has shined of late. Although the wideout still hasn't scored a touchdown, he's certainly made up for it by combining for 15 catches (20 targets) for 284 yards in his last two appearances. With Brock Purdy (toe) still out, Mac Jones should continue to look in his direction in Week 7 versus a potent Falcons defense. While George Kittle (hamstring) will make his return after getting injured in the Week 1 win over the Seattle Seahawks, Bourne could continue to get more attention that Jauan Jennings (ankle, rib, shoulder), who had only one catch in the recent loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With that in mind, Bourne has done enough to earn a spot in any fantasy lineup despite a challenging matchup on tap.

From RotoBaller

Jauan Jennings Oct 17 11:40pm ET
Jauan Jennings

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (ribs, ankle, shoulder) practiced in full on Friday and doesn't carry an injury designation heading into Sunday night's game against the Falcons. The 28-year-old has been banged up all year. Unfortunately, he hasn't looked the best, catching only 10 passes for 136 yards and one touchdown. Ricky Pearsall (knee) and Marquez Valdes-Scantling (calf) won't be available. However, the 49ers will get George Kittle (hamstring) back after being on the shelf since the Week 1 win over the Seattle Seahawks. With a recent uptick in production from Kendrick Bourne and Kittle's return, Jennings may not be the safest fantasy option in Week 7 versus a tough Falcons defense.

From RotoBaller

Zach Ertz Oct 17 11:40pm ET
Zach Ertz

Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (shoulder, calf) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's divisional matchup against the Cowboys. He missed practice to begin the week, then practiced in full on Thursday before being downgraded to limited on Friday. That puts his status for Sunday in question. The veteran bounced back in Week 6 with six catches (six targets) for 43 yards and a touchdown. After being held catchless in Week 5 for the first time in over a decade, Ertz and QB Jayden Daniels got back on the same page. Ertz could be relied on heavily again if he is active in Week 7 against the Cowboys with Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) out and Deebo Samuel Sr. (heel) questionable for Sunday.

From RotoBaller