NFL Player News

James did not receive a target in Sunday's 51-13 win over Carolina.

James was limited to return duties for the third time over San Francisco's last four contests. The 49ers acquired veteran wideout Emmanuel Sanders via a trade this week, which pushes the 24-year-old even further down the receiver depth chart. James is not a standard fantasy option heading into a Thursday Night Football matchup against Arizona.

Bourne caught the only ball thrown his way for 12 yards in Sunday's 51-13 win over Carolina.

Bourne wasn't able to build off of last week's season-high 69 receiving yards. The low production can be attributed to a game script that prompted an even heavier rushing split than usual (38 rushes to 18 pass attempts) after the 49ers went up big and stayed up wire to wire. The 24-year-old was able to stick at No. 4 on the wide receiver depth chart following the acquisition of Emmanuel Sanders due to Marquise Goodwin's (personal) absence. If the latter is available for Thursday's matchup against Arizona, then Bourne could find himself out of the wideout rotation for Week 9.

Pettis had one reception on three targets for five yards in Sunday's 51-13 win over the Panthers.

The 24-year-old was bumped out of the starting lineup in favor of rookie Deebo Samuel for the first time since Week 2. It is no secret that Pettis has been a colossal disappointment in his sophomore season. From having his motivation questioned by his head coach in the preseason, to poor statistical results despite technically being a starter (10 catches for 88 yards and a touchdown over seven games), there isn't a positive takeaway from his 2019 campaign so far. In fact, following the acquisition of Emmanuel Sanders earlier this week, there was a report that Pettis could be dealt before Tuesday's trade deadline, according to NFL Insider Adam Caplan. A trade to a more pass-happy offense could be the recipe he needs to tap back into the potential the 2018 second-round pick displayed last season, but if he sticks in San Francisco, Pettis will not carry much fantasy value heading into Thursday's matchup against the Cardinals.

Samuel caught all three of his targets for 19 yards Sunday, and he also rushed twice for 29 yards and a touchdown in a 51-13 win over Carolina.

Samuel had a quiet day as a receiver, but he was able to do some damage as a runner. Coach Kyle Shanahan dialed up the same jet sweep play for his rookie wideout on both carries, and Samuel cut his second attempt back inside and hit paydirt for the second time in six games. Usual starter Marquise Goodwin missed Sunday's contest for personal reasons, so new acquisition Emmanuel Sanders took his spot in the starting lineup, but it was Samuel -- and not Dante Pettis -- who started opposite the veteran. The latter had started every game he has been healthy for up until this point, so this could signal a change in the depth chart moving forward. It will be interesting to see who ends up starting alongside Sanders against the Cardinals on Thursday (assuming Goodwin is available), but it appears that Samuel will occupy one of the three primary WR slots.

Coutee dressed but did not play in Sunday's 27-24 win over Oakland in Week 8.

Coutee was a beneficiary of playing time when Will Fuller (hamstring) was removed from Week 7's loss to the Colts, so it was surprising to see DeAndre Carter get those snaps a week later. There has been no indication of an injury on Coutee's part. Unless the team clarifies the situation, the assumption should be that Carter is the No. 3 wideout while Fuller remains sidelined.

Carter played 47 snaps and caught one of three targets for 46 yards in Sunday's 27-24 win over the Raiders.

It was surprising to see Carter get his highest snap total since Week 1 while Keke Coutee remained on the sideline all game. With Will Fuller (hamstring) inactive for the first of what is expected to be multiple weeks, it was expected that Coutee and Kenny Stills would be the secondary receivers after DeAndre Hopkins. It's unknown at this point why Carter vaulted over Coutee or if this was a matchup-based decision.

Valdes-Scantling (ankle/knee) suited up and caught one pass (two targets) for four yards in Sunday's 31-24 win over the Chiefs.

Valdes-Scantling was cleared of his lower-body injuries prior to Sunday's matchup, so his lack of usage can be attributed to coach Matt LaFleur's gameplan to exploit Kansas City's linebackers with passes to running backs. The 25-year-old was coming off of a huge 133-yard performance, so Sunday's dud will leave a sour taste in fantasy owners' mouths. Valdes-Scantling was expected to take over top receiving duties while Davante Adams (toe) remains sidelined, but the wideout is averaging just 1.5 receptions and 2.8 targets in four games as a starter. It is unclear whether Adams will be able to return for Sunday's matchup against the Chargers, but even if he doesn't, expectations for MVS should be kept in check against a defense that is more susceptible to the run (21st-ranked defense) as opposed to the pass (5th).

Hardman caught both of his targets for 55 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 31-24 loss to Green Bay.

Hardman has seen his targets decrease by one in each game since Tyreek Hill returned from injury, but the speedy wideout has been able to find the end zone in consecutive contests. The speedy rookie will need to bust out big plays in order maintain fantasy value with the rest of the Chiefs' receiving corps back at full strength. Hardman would have a higher chance of breaking off a huge gain if Patrick Mahomes (knee) is able to return for Week 9's matchup with Minnesota.

Hill had six catches (on nine targets) for 76 yards and rushed for five more yards on his lone carry in Sunday's 31-24 loss to the Packers.

Hill actually turned in a respectable stat line considering the Chiefs were starting backup quarterback Matt Moore in place of the dynamic Patrick Mahomes (knee). The speedy wideout posted similar stat lines in his first two games back from injury, but he was also rewarded with three touchdowns from his primary QB. Looking ahead, there is at least a chance that Hill gets his deep-threat partner back for a stiff test against Minnesota's defense next weekend, but a Week 10 return may represent a more plausible outcome for Mahomes.

Gage hauled in seven of nine targets for 58 receiving yards during Sunday's 27-20 loss to the Seahawks.

The second-year wideout has seen his fantasy value escalate massively by virtue of Mohamed Sanu's trade to New England, as he had nine passes thrown his way after attracting eight total targets through the first seven weeks of the regular season. Given that Atlanta's defense has conceded 27-plus points in five of its past six outings, the offense is frequently throwing in the second halves of games to keep pace. Such a scenario facilitates a third fantasy-relevant option at wide receiver, and Gage appears to be the most likely suitor with Justin Hardy garnering only four targets Sunday.