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Game day update: Heading into this season, Raheem Mostert was a must have on your fantasy team, but thanks to injuries, he’s been a shell of himself. The veteran running back is still dealing with a high ankle sprain, which makes him an undesirable play in fantasy football the rest of the way.
Meanwhile, Jeff Wilson Jr. has not looked the same since he returned in Week 12 from an injury. Last week against the Bills, Wilson had 47 yards on seven carries, along with two receptions for 12 yards.
Both of these running backs face a tough matchup against one of the league’s best front seven in Washington. This season, they are only allowing five rushing and three receiving touchdowns to opposing running backs. ESPN projects Mostert, Wilson to score 10.8 and 6.9 fantasy points, respectively.
Both Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. seem to be splitting a majority of the carries in San Fransisco. Both have put up similar numbers on the ground in recent weeks and now face the Washington Football Team, which can call for a lack-luster offensive output.
Fantasy Football analysis: 49ers RBs Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr.
Mostert has split carries with Wilson since coming off injured reserve in Week 12, averaging 42.5 yards rushing and 7.80 fantasy points. In last week’s loss to the Buffalo Bills, the 49ers found themselves down 27-10 late in the third quarter, completely taking away the run game while having to attempt a comeback. Mostert had been a solid fantasy start before a knee injury kept him sidelined in Week’s 3 and 4, then a high ankle sprain in Week 6 landed him on IR. Chris Biderman of The Sacremento Bee reported on Thursday that Mostert’s high ankle sprain “is something that won’t be 100 percent the rest of the season.” That’s worth noting, given how much the 49ers’ offense relies on a solid ground game.
#49ers RB Raheem Mostert indicated his high ankle sprain is something that won’t be 100 percent the rest of the season. He called it a “nagging feeling.”
— Chris Biderman (@ChrisBiderman) December 10, 2020
Wilson Jr. hasn’t been given as many rushing attempts as Mostert in the past two weeks, but he has been effective, going for 40 yards on 12 rushes and 47 yards on seven rushes, respectfully. Where he has seen more time, though, is in the passing game, getting five targets last week to Mostert’s one. Of those five, he caught two for 12 yards including getting a look his way in the fourth quarter at the Buffalo five yard-line before quarterback Nick Mullens threw an interception to Tre’Davious White. It’s clear that when the 49ers are down, Wilson Jr. is seeing a bulk of the comeback playing time.
Both San Fransisco and Washington have offenses in the bottom-half of the league, so this game can be close. Even so, with both backs splitting carries and Wilson Jr. being reliable when a game seems out of hand, I can’t trust either of them this week.
Fantasy Start/Sit Recommendation
Sit Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr.