We’ll have a better sense of Brooks’ Week 1 availability in a few hours when the Panthers release their final injury report for the week, but the third-year back logged limited practices on Wednesday and Thursday and is trending in the right direction for Sunday’s game against the Bears. If he’s active, Brooks is expected to split touches with Chuba Hubbard, which could put a hard cap on both players’ upside in the season-opener.
Shanahan told reporters that it “doesn’t look good.” The 27-year-old tight end suffered the injury near the end of the first half, and it sounds like San Francisco will be without the backup tight end for some time. Luke Ferrell will likely see more snaps with Tonges unavailable.
Coming off an underwhelming debut in which he failed to even record a tackle in Week 1’s loss against the 49ers, Garrett said he was “the worst version” of himself in Thursday’s game. The star pass rusher was dealing with a knee injury in the days leading up to the game, but was ultimately removed from the injury report on Wednesday. Speaking after the game, he said his knee didn’t feel 100 percent, but Garrett still managed to play on 40 snaps, per PFF. Unfortunately, he generated only three pressures and failed to get a hit on the quarterback. Hopefully, some extended time off before next Monday’s game against the Giants will be enough for Garrett to get right in the Rams’ official 2026 home debut.
Flournoy is now under contract through the 2027 season. The 26-year-old receiver caught 40 passes for 475 yards and four touchdowns last season, while finishing third among Cowboys receivers in routes run (273) and fourth on the team in targets. It was reported earlier this summer that he was seeing more snaps in the slot, but it’s hard to imagine Flournoy making enough of an impact to be fantasy-relevant as long as CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and Jake Ferguson are healthy.
Stribling was carted from the game late in the second quarter after briefly attempting to play through the ankle injury he suffered earlier in the game. While there was some concern that his injury was Achilles-related, Shanahan’s comments after the game suggest there’s little reason to be concerned about his Achilles at this time. Stribling played 21 snaps in the first half of Thursday’s game but was held without a catch. We’ll likely get more clarity on his status in the coming days, but hopefully the worst was avoided here.
McCaffrey’s usage was a bit underwhelming in the first half of Thursday’s win. The 30-year-old running back played on 20 offensive snaps to Kaelon Black’s, while Black’s seven rush attempts more than doubled the three carries we saw from CMC, who also saw six first-half targets. McCaffrey’s second-half usage saw a slight uptick, but it’s possible some of what we saw as it pertains to last night’s split was related to this cramping issue. McCaffrey was undoubtedly the more efficient of the two Niners backs in last night’s win, but Black was solid in his debut, rushing 14 times for 65 yards. McCaffrey should be positioned for a big Week 2 game next week against the Dolphins.
Higbee ended up leading the Rams’ tight ends in targets and receptions, as Davis Allen had just one catch before exiting with a head injury, and Terrance Ferguson didn’t catch his only opportunity. Ferguson still seems like the tight end to roster going forward, but one could argue Higbee has the higher floor because he’ll see more snaps because of his blocking ability. That’s not a ringing endorsement, if it’s not obvious. The Rams will try and get it going against the Giants in Week 2.
Shanahan told reporters that it “doesn’t look good.” The 27-year-old tight end suffered the injury near the end of the first half, and it sounds like San Francisco will be without the backup tight end for some time. Luke Ferrell will likely see more snaps with Tonges unavailable.
Purdy also added 29 yards on his five attempts. The veteran signal-caller did throw a terrible interception, but outside of that pick he played exceptionally well; even if most of his completions were for short yardage. All three passing scores came to different players, with his best throw being a perfectly placed touchdown to Deebo Samuel between two Rams’ defenders to cement the blowout. Purdy will look to keep it going in Week 2, and gets a friendly matchup against the Dolphins.
Stafford didn’t get much time to enjoy Australia, and likely won’t leave this contest with fond memories. He completed just 4-of-11 passes in the first half and didn’t do much better in the final 30 minutes, and outside of a 41-yard connection with Puka Nacua, he just couldn’t get the ball downfield. He was also stuffed on a fourth-and-goal run at the goal line to cement the poor day. Credit the 49ers’ defense, but it’s fair to call this a disappointing season debut for the reigning MVP. Expect a rebound in Week 2 against the Giants in a Monday Night Football contest.
The man they call CMC was not a big part of the first-half attack, but saw plenty more touches over the final two quarters to turn what was looking like an ugly fantasy debut into a decent — although far from spectacular — outing for the 30-year-old veteran. It’s worth noting that Kaelon Black received 14 carries in the contest for 68 yards, and it’s likely that Black is going to be involved going forward in at least a somewhat similar capacity. McCaffrey should still get plenty of touches going forward, and should have a good day against the Dolphins in Week 2.
Williams’ day was salvaged with a short-yardage score. He finished with one more rushing attempt than Blake Corum, but Corum did look spryer with 54 yards on those attempts. The Rams’ offense just didn’t have it in the Australian showdown, and Williams should see a better box score in Week 2 against the Giants; even if Corum remains a fantasy adversary.
It was Black’s NFL debut, and all things considered, it was a pretty good one. The former Indiana star had four more carries than Christian McCaffrey, and was much more involved in the rushing attack in the first half; although CMC was obviously a factor in the passing attack and Black had just one catch for five yards. It wasn’t the most impressive statline you’ll see from a debut, but there were definitely flashes that suggest success for the 24-year-old. Black and the 49ers will get a chance to face the Dolphins in Week 2.
Corum was unable to find the end zone while Kyren Williams did, but Corum was the more efficient tailback between the 20s with Williams only tallying 41 yards. He was also a non-factor in the passing game, but the Rams were basically a non factor in the passing game with Matthew Stafford struggling to figure out the 49ers’ defense. Corum could see more touches in Week 2 against the Giants, but there’s no guarantee.
Tonges limped off the field after suffering his knee injury near the end of the first half. Assuming he doesn’t return, Luke Ferrell will get the snaps behind George Kittle and feature in two tight end sets.
Tonges finished without a target before exiting near the end of the second quarter. The 27-year-old will have a chance to return in Week 2 against the Giants, but his status for that game — and the weeks after — should be updated by early next week.
Allen has one catch for 13 yards, and likely is done for the day. The 25-year-old backup will need to clear protocol to play in Week 2 against the Giants.
Stribling hurt the ankle earlier in the contest, and while he was able to return shortly after, the rookie wideout was unable to continue and exited on the vehicle. It’s likely he won’t return to Friday’s game, but there should be an update on his status soon.
Stribling was carted off during Friday’s contest, and finished without a catch in his NFL debut. He’ll get a little longer to potentially return for Week 2 against the Dolphins, but obviously his status for that contest is very much in doubt.