Team news: San Francisco 49ers | Page 2

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.

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.

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.

It sounds like Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is getting closer to his return to play after tearing his ACL last December.

Head coach Jonathan Gannon said in a Monday radio interview with Arizona Sports 98.7 that Murray is doing a “good job” in his rehab, adding he liked the week that the quarterback had.

“We’ve got to kind of see here the next couple days, see how tonight goes and tomorrow goes, and again, though, we’re not rushing that,” Gannon said, via Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic, who noted that Gannon was hinting “very strongly” that Murray is making enough progress to be designated to return. “We’re making sure that he feels good about going out there, but he’s trending in the right direction.”

Related players: Joshua Dobbs

Dobbs has filled in fairly nicely for the Cards so far this season, but the team will at least need to see what they have with Murray and their offense at some point. The Cards will eventually have a decision to make - trade Murray and draft a QB of the future, or keep Murray after signing him to a longterm deal.

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 RB Christian McCaffrey is questionable to return with an oblique injury.

Update: McCaffrey has returned, so his time out was very short.

2nd update: McCaffrey went back to the locker room, but he jogged, so that may not be a bad sign.

The injuries keep piling up for the 49ers against the Browns. First Deebo Samuel and now Run CMC, who scored in an NFL-record 15th consecutive game. It's been a rough day offensively for the 49ers and now they have this to worry about. At the time of this writing, the Browns had just taken the lead with about 3 minutes left in the third quarter. This is one we will certainly closely monitor.