NFL Player News

Maiocco lists three primary reasons that hint at the possibility of a more aggressive unit in 2023 including a full offseason with running back Christian McCaffrey, the team’s trust in quarterback Brock Purdy, and the offseason departure of veteran kicker Robbie Gould. Considering San Francisco converted just seven of 17 fourth-and-short attempts in 2022, due in part to the accuracy of Gould, the bold hypothesis could come to fruition with the team moving forward with a rookie place kicker. The other two reasonings provided would also theoretically support a more aggressive offensive unit, but the history of head coach Kyle Shanahan suggests short yardage decisions are more based on game environment than on a desire to optimize every offensive possession. Using that reasoning, it is much more likely to require a dip in defensive performance to ignite a more aggressive offense, something that may or may not change in the new season after the 49ers ranked first in defensive DVOA and points allowed per drive in 2022.

Charbonnet was dealing with an oblique injury the past week and played in Week 16, though he was limited to just three touches. This week, he pops up on the injury report with an elbow injury, listed as limited on Monday, but a full participant Tuesday. With Kenneth Walker (ankle) not practicing, Charbonnet is in line to be the starter Thursday against the Bears. Fire him up as an RB2 if Walker cannot go for Week 17.

Walker was listed as a non-participant for the second straight day as he deals with an ankle injury. He suffered the ankle injury during the Seahawks’ Week 16 loss to the Vikings and now his status for Thursday’s game against the Bears is in jeopardy. If Walker cannot go, Zach Charbonnet will once again be the lead back. Fantasy managers should monitor Walker’s Wednesday practice capability for his final game status.

Edwards has been the lead back since J.K. Dobbins (knee) went down. Though Dobbins’ 21-day practice window is open, Edwards is still tracking to be the lead back against the Patriots on Saturday. He was listed as limited due to an ankle injury, but there are no indications this is a major issue. Expect Edwards to be active and take on goal-line opportunities for Week 17.

Dissly continues to work his way back from a shoulder injury. Fellow TE Hayden Hurst did not practice, though given he was listed with an illness, Hurst has a chance to play on Saturday. Both Dissly and Hurst could be active against the Patriots, making neither of them, nor Stone Smartt, a top-20 tight end play.

The Chargers opened Dobbins’ 21-day practice window to return from injured reserve on Monday. He was listed as limited due to his knee injury on Tuesday, but given it is his first week practice, it is unlikely Dobbins will return for Week 17. His potential return won’t have a fantasy impact, but will have a real-football impact as the Chargers could get him back for a playoff run.

Conner suffered the knee injury in Week 16 and did not return. Head coach Jonathan Gannon said earlier the team will “see how the week goes” for Conner’s game-day status. The Cardinals play the Rams Saturday night, so it is a shorter week than usual, but Conner’s limited status in Tuesday’s estimated report is a good sign. Backup RB Trey Benson (ankle) was also listed as limited after missing Week 16. If neither Conner nor Benson can go, Michael Carter will retain the lead back role.

McLaughlin exited Week 15 early with a quad injury and missed Week 16. He starts out this week practicing in a limited capacity and could be on track to return for Week 17 against the Bengals. The Broncos just promoted Blake Watson to the active roster and opened Tyler Badie’s practice window. McLaughlin should be off fantasy radars in this murky backfield.

Watson is an undrafted free agent out of Memphis and has four carries for 10 yards this season. He made the initial 53-man roster for Denver, but was cut and re-signed to the practice squad in October. He returns to the active roster now to throw more hands into the murky Broncos backfield. CB Levi Wallace will be waived in a corresponding move.

Badie memorably collapsed on the sideline after suffering a back injury in Week 4 and has missed the last three months. He could come back and add more confusion to the Broncos running back room for the remainder of the season, but the Broncos haven’t put out anything conclusive to that effect and we’ll likely need to see practice reports to see how close he is to returning.

Burrow has played through this designation multiple times this year, so this is no surprise at this point. The star quarterback is likely just getting managed ahead of Saturday’s win-or-season-over showdown against the Broncos.