As the start of Week 9 draws closer to the kickoff of Thursday Night Football, fantasy football managers have been scouring the internet trying to see if San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle is playing in Week 9 or if his injury keeps him on the sidelines for an extended period of time. Who on the 49ers can step up for the team this week against the Packers after losing the majority of their weapons? Is there any value to be found for fantasy, or is it better to steer clear altogether following George Kittle’s injury and placement on the IR?
The 49ers have placed George Kittle on the IR
Unfortunately for 49ers fans and fantasy managers alike, there is a solid chance that Kittle has played his last snap for the 2020 season. After suffering a broken foot in Week 8 against the Seattle Seahawks, the team chose to place George Kittle on IR, which has a minimum timeframe of three weeks.
There is some debate on how long the injury will keep George Kittle out, mainly coming from Kittle, who would play if his foot was falling off. Shanahan said he’d been told it will be an eight-week recovery time for the tight end. He also noted that Kittle has already said that he wants to get back on the field way before two months are up. Either way, we know for certain that George Kittle is not playing in Week 9.
Related | Allen Lazard Injury Report: Is he playing tonight?
“I think they told me eight weeks. Kittle says two, but that’s how he rolls,” Shanahan said. “That’s why he’ll go on IR, and if it’s better than what they’re saying, he’ll have a chance to come back this year, but eight weeks is eight weeks.”
The move to place Kittle on the IR takes the guesswork out of evaluating his status for at least a few weeks. I have a hard time thinking they will be willing to bring him back in 2020, though. The 49ers have nothing to play for, and if the eight weeks is correct, we are looking at a Week 16 or Week 17 comeback for Kittle. There would be no logical reason to have him out there with the team, or what is even left of the team for that matter.
Ross Dwelley and Jordan Reed will try to fill in due to George Kittle’s injury
Kittle’s absence opens a significant target share in San Francisco’s passing game. 49ers backup tight end Jordan Reed was designated to return from injured reserve last week and is back practicing. It was announced a few minutes ago that Reed will in fact be active for today’s game.
Reed caught nine passes for 73 yards and two touchdowns during George Kittle’s two-game absence earlier this season, though he went down with a knee injury during the second game, which put him on the IR.
Ross Dwelley is the other option and the more secure one as well in terms of fantasy as he is one of the few players on the 49ers offense that is healthy. The 49ers TE had five catches for 54 yards during Kittle’s two-game absence earlier this year, but Reed was the primary option. Dwelley caught a 16-yard touchdown after George Kittle left last week on what was his first target since Week 3. Regardless, someone will have to step up since George Kittle is not playing in Week 9.
Due to Kittle’s injury, Reed or Dwelley could be the top passing option
Coming into Thursday, the 49ers have two active wide receivers on the team, Trent Taylor and Richie James. That is it.
First, on Wednesday, WR Deebo Samuel was ruled out with a hamstring injury. Then in a series of quick blows, Kendrick Bourne and Brandon Aiyuk have been ruled out for the game due to positive tests and being deemed to have been in “close contact.” Samuel is in this group as well but was already listed as out for Thursday with his injury.
Related | Will Trent Taylor, 49ers WRs step up for fantasy teams on Thursday Night Football?
In a moment of cruel irony or timing, the 49ers had released WR Dante Pettis on Tuesday. He would have been the team’s top option tonight.
Currently, Trent Taylor and Richie James are the only receivers on the 53-man, but it is likely the team will call up Kevin White, River Cracraft, or Chris Finke from the practice squad, especially with James questionable heading into the game.
From the 2019 NFC Championship game, which is the last time these teams faced off, there is one starter remaining on the 49ers offense.
Want more fantasy football analysis and news?
Be sure to follow us on Twitter: @PFN365 to stay up to date with all things around the NFL and the 2020 fantasy football season. Also, continue to visit Pro Football Network for NFL news and in-depth analysis while also seeing our fantasy football section for more coverage and up-to-date rankings.
Tommy Garrett is a writer for PFN covering Fantasy Football. You can read more of his work here and follow him at @TommygarrettPFN on Twitter.