49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk removed from final injury report ahead of Week 4

Update, Sept. 29 — Aiyuk has been removed from the injury report and should be a full go against the Cardinals. Deebo Samuel is questionable and Juan Jennings is doubtful, so the team will likely need to lean on Aiyuk at times.

Update, Sept. 28 — Aiyuk was spotted at practice again on Thursday. He wore a blue no contact jersey on Wednesday but didn’t have it on Thursday. While this is a small difference, it is at least something that suggests Aiyuk is moving in the right direction to play this week.

San Francisco 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk was a limited participant at practice Wednesday ahead of their Week 4 matchup vs. the Arizona Cardinals. Aiyuk is dealing with a shoulder injury and was ruled out for the 49ers’ 30-12 win over the New York Giants last week on Thursday Night Football. The Niners enter Week 4 at 3-0 atop the NFC West division. We break down the fantasy football impact of Aiyuk in Week 4.

Fantasy football implications for Week 4

Aiyuk was leading the Niners’ wide receiving group before sustaining the injury in Week 2. He has 11 catches on 14 targets for 172 yards and two TDs this season. There really wasn’t anyone who stepped up with Aiyuk sidelined. Deebo Samuel, who is dealing with an injury this week, led the team with six catches for 129 yards and a TD. Samuel and TE George Kittle got most of the targets while depth WRs Jauan Jennings and Ronnie Bell combined for five targets, 55 yards and a TD.

If Aiyuk is able to return against the Cardinals, he remains a strong WR2/FLEX play in PPR formats. He’s even worth starting in standard leagues given the matchup and usage. Bell and Jennings likely see fewer snaps and routes with Aiyuk back. It shouldn’t impact Samuel and Kittle much. If anything it opens the passing game up a bit more, which should help RB Christian McCaffrey, who is the centerpiece of the offense.