Heading into the contest, Brandon Aiyuk had played one game in the last month and the thought was that he’d have fresh legs against the Bills. Nick Mullens targeted him nine times and Aiyuk finished with five catches for 95 yards, including a rare — for the 49ers — deep ball down the sideline for 49 yards.

How rare was it? According to the NFL’s NextGen stats, the ball traveled 54.1 yards in the air. That ranks in the middle of the pack among NFL long balls but is the longest completed throw in terms of air yards by a 49ers quarterback this season. Jimmy Garoppolo had a completion that traveled 43.1 yards earlier this season. Garoppolo had one of 57.2 yards — to Emmanuel Sanders against the Saints — last season.

Aiyuk also drew a pass-interference penalty on a deep ball on the 49ers’ opening drive that flipped the field position and indirectly led to the 49ers’ first score — a 2-yard pass to Aiyuk. Reports said Aiyuk is more of a pure receivers vs. Deebo Samuel who is also used a lot in sweeps and gadget plays. Aiyuk could be worth a grab if he's still on your wire.

To view Jalen Hurts as the Eagles’ likely quarterback of the future would be a mistake. The most likely scenario is that Hurts is not the long-term answer. That’s not me being harsh and counting a guy out before he even starts a game. That’s just what history tells us. From 2008 to 2017 (I’m using this range so that we get at least three full years of each player), 24 quarterbacks were taken on Day 2 of the draft. Among that group, six became starters: Russell Wilson, Derek Carr, Colin Kaepernick, Nick Foles, Andy Dalton and Jimmy Garoppolo. This is not complex math, but we can say that the chances based on that sample of finding a starter in the second or third round is roughly 25 percent.

Related players: Carson Wentz

The story went on to say the one thing the Eagles cannot do is convince themselves that Hurts is the guy after a four-game sample. The goal should just be information gathering. It’s possible they learn that the offensive system and surrounding talent aren’t the problem, and the issues were even more Wentz-related than suspected. It’s also possible they discover the offensive system and surrounding talent are the problem, and it doesn’t really matter who’s playing quarterback, the story all said. The author said given that Hurts had a shortened offseason and no preseason, he would expect that we’d see a heavy QB-inclusive run game and a simplified passing game in which he’s encouraged to take off if he doesn’t like what he sees - for those interested in plugging in Hurts for Week 14.

Kyle Shanahan was asked about the prospect of getting George Kittle and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo back into the lineup. Garoppolo suffered a high-ankle sprain in the team’s November 1 loss to the Seahawks, which was the same day that Kittle was injured and Shanahan suggested both players need more time before they can think about activating them from injured reserve.

“Those guys are working their tails off right now,” Shanahan said, via Chris Biderman of the Sacramento Bee. “But they’re still part of the rehab, just trying to get back and be a part of this, but it’s not anytime soon right now.”

Kittle said last week that he expects to return from a broken bone in his foot “sooner than later,” according to the story, which caused a bit of a buzz and likely had fantasy owners scrambling to pick up Kittle off the wire and stash him on IR. While anything can happen, those hopes seem to be squashed based on this story. Still, if you can afford to stash Kittle on IR as you head into the fantasy playoffs, it may not be a terrible idea. However roster sports are extra valuable right now.

The 49ers have been without start tight end George Kittle and starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo for the last month, but there may be a light at the end of the tunnel.

“I’m holding out hope for Jimmy for the last couple of weeks,” San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said, via Cam Inman of The Mercury News. “Same with Kittle. I think they’re in a similar boat, but that I mean that’s not guaranteed.”

Related players: Nick Mullens, Jordan Reed

Kittle is a name to pay attention to especially. If he's popped up on your waiver wire, you may want to take a shot on picking up a potential stud if you're planning a deep playoff run. Kittle can be stashed on IR until the timeline becomes more clear. If the 9ers are able to make the playoffs, it seems like both players may have a shot to be back by then.

On Tuesday, Kyle Shanahan was asked how he viewed Jimmy Garoppolo's future beyond this season, and Shanahan said that nothing has changed.

"I expect Jimmy to be our starter next year," Shanahan said, via David Lombardi of The Athletic. "I mean, I expect him to come and play with us this year. We have six games left. We are not out of the playoffs yet. I've been on a team that was 3-6 going into a bye week that ended up winning their division. I think we have guys on this team capable of finishing this the right way. We've gotta do it one game at a time and I hope Jimmy can come back and be a part of that but to think that we've made any decisions on anybody going into the future isn't the case. Jimmy has won a lot of games for us this year. It's a lot harder to win games when he's not here. Just hoping we can get him back."

With two years remaining on his contract, the 49ers can save $24.1 million in salary cap space by moving on from Garoppolo after the season, so the franchise has a decision to make, the story said. After a career year in which Garoppolo led the 49ers to a 13-3 record and Super Bowl appearance, he has thrown for just 1,096 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions in six games so far this year.

49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo has not been recommended for surgery on his ankle, according to Matt Maiocco of NBCSN Bay Area. He will be reevaluated in 4-6 weeks.

The expected timetable for Garoppolo remains intact. We'll see you in a month.

Kyle Shanahan said Jimmy Garoppolo had a whole new high ankle sprain on the same foot.

Related players: Nick Mullens, C.J. Beathard

Shanahan said it’s 4 to 6 weeks, according to the rest of the tweet. Maiocco added this is worse than the last high ankle sprain Jimmy G suffered. Surgery is an option and if he needs surgery, he'll be out for the rest of the year the tweet went on to say. Mullens gets the start Thursday night against the Packers but isn't necessarily a safe, longer term pickup.

49ers’ QB Jimmy Garoppolo is expected to be sidelined indefinitely with his high ankle sprain, source tells ESPN.

Related players: Nick Mullens, C.J. Beathard

Schefter went on to say the 49ers feel he needs time to rest an injury that has bothered him since Week 2. Mullens took over for Garoppolo on Sunday and would be expected to again. Beathard came into the game after Mullens started and was pulled against the Eagles a few weeks ago.

49ers RB Tevin Coleman left Sunday’s game against the Seahawks with a knee injury and was ruled out for the remainder of the game. It’s very unfortunate as he had just been activated from injured reserve. JaMycal Hasty took over as the lead back and has scored a touchdown, though Sunday has been pretty rough for the 49ers with Jimmy Garoppolo and George Kittle also limping off the field.