Vernon Davis on the same page as his quarterback

Jul 31, 2013

After Colin Kaepernick supplanted Alex Smith at quarterback last season, Vernon Davis' receiving numbers dwindled. He caught six passes for 61 yards in the final six regular-season games and vented his frustration. After diligently developing a rapport with Smith, he said, he would have to start anew with Kaepernick.

That relationship began to take root in the playoffs when Davis caught 12 passes for 254 yards and a touchdown in three games.

It's carried into 49ers training camp.

Davis has been the perfect match for Kaepernick's ever-improving long ball, and he has been by far the most consistent deep threat in an offense that, to this point, has lacked any firepower at wide receiver apart from veteran Anquan Boldin.

Davis this summer predominantly has worked out of his familiar tight end spot, where he can be used in both the passing game and as a run blocker. But he's also taken a few snaps from the slot position.

Fantasy Impact:

Tony Gonzalez and Jason Witten are certainly "safer," but Davis's upside makes him tough to pass on in the 5th/6th rounds. He followed up a 6-106-1 line against the Falcons in the NFC Championship Game with 8-104 in the Super Bowl. When he saw 6+ targets in 2012, he averaged 5.3-88-.83. Those are Gronk-type numbers.

today

Chargers set to open window for RB J.K. Dobbins (knee)

Daniel Popper on X

0 minutes ago

Chargers will be opening J.K. Dobbins' 21-day window today, Jim Harbaugh tells reporters.

Related players: Gus Edwards

Fantasy Impact:

Dobbins has been on IR for the past four games with a knee injury. He's not a lock to play this week and he's not a lock for a safe workload even if he does play. The Chargers travel to New England in Week 17, so the matchup isn't a bad one. It's an early window game on Sunday, so owners should have plenty of notice. We'll also keep an eye on the practice reports this week.

Dolphins unsure of WR Jaylen Waddle's (knee) status for Week 17

Barry Jackson on X

5 minutes ago

McDaniel non-committal on whether Jaylen Waddle (knee) will practice this week: "I'm expecting to get everything from Waddle that he can do... I've [talked to] the trainer to make sure we protect him from himself. We will see how the week progresses. I don't know exactly what it will look like."

Fantasy Impact:

Waddle owners should probably not count on Waddle for Week 17, or at the very least have a backup plan. Waddle and the Dolphins play the Browns in the later window on Sunday so it could further complicate things for owners who were hoping to play him.

Texans WR Tank Dell tore ACL, dislocated knee

DJ Bien-Aime on X

9 minutes ago

DeMeco Ryans says WR Tank Dell tore his ACL along with dislocating his knee.

Fantasy Impact:

No surprises here as it was a terrible injury to watch during the game. While he's obviously out for the season, the bigger question is what will his status be for 2025. It's a huge question mark at this point given the seriousness of the injury. Even if Dell is able to play next season, he may take a while to get back to 100%.