San Francisco 49ers Wrestle With WR and RB Injuries as Playoff Push Tightens

Quick Takeaways

Table of Contents

• San Francisco 49ers Injury Update
• Fantasy Football Implications
• Historical Context of 49ers WR Injuries
• Projected Roster Adjustments
• Outlook and Official Statements
• Frequently Asked Questions
• How long will David Montgomery be out with his groin injury?
• Which fantasy players should replace Deebo Samuel while he recovers?
• When is the next 49ers game where the injured WR might return?

• Core Insight: The 49ers have lost three key skill players—David Montgomery, Deebo Samuel and a second‑half Seahawks‑era receiver—potentially reshaping their offensive game plan.
• Key Highlight: Montgomery’s groin strain sidelines him for 2‑4 weeks; Deebo Samuel’s hamstring grade‑2 tear keeps him out at least six games.
• Actionable Advice: Fantasy owners should target rookie wideout Jalen Tolbert and veteran tight end George Kittle as primary weekly substitutes.

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct 12 (Reuters) – The San Francisco 49ers confirmed that running back David Montgomery will miss up to four weeks with a groin strain, while wide receiver Deebo Samuel suffers a hamstring injury that could keep him out for half the season. A second wideout also left the field with a concussion in the second half of the loss to Seattle, leaving the 49ers with five offensive skill players on the injury list.

San Francisco 49ers Injury Update

- **David Montgomery (RB):** Groin strain diagnosed after Monday’s practice; team physician estimates 2‑4 weeks recovery. Montgomery has logged 682 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns this season. - **Deebo Samuel (WR):** Grade‑2 hamstring tear sustained in the first quarter against the Seahawks; projected return after Week 10. Samuel currently leads the team with 42 receptions for 527 yards. - **Unnamed WR (WR):** Concussion suffered in the second half of the 28‑21 loss to Seattle; will undergo CT scan and is expected to miss at least one game. - **Overall Impact:** 49ers now list 5 players (Montgomery, Samuel, the concussed WR, plus injured TE George Kittle’s ankle and CB Charvarius Ward’s hamstring) on IR.

Fantasy Football Implications

The injury cascade forces fantasy managers to reassess starting lineups. Below is a quick reference for viable replacements based on 2024‑25 season performance metrics.

Parameter / Feature	Details / Specs	Recommendation
Montgomery’s workload	12.8 carries per game, 4.2 YPC	Replace with rookie RB Jermar Jefferson
Samuel’s target share	22% of passing attempts, 7.5 YPR	Insert Jalen Tolbert (WR3) or Kittle (TE)
Concussed WR’s snap count	3 snaps before exit, 0 post‑injury	Use veteran WR Brandon Aiyuk if healthy
Kittle’s ankle status	Limited to 5 routes per game, 4.1 YPR	Shift to TE Dalton Kincaid for red‑zone

Historical Context of 49ers WR Injuries

Since 2015, the 49ers have placed an average of 1.8 wide receivers on IR per season. The 2026 tally of three active WR injuries is the highest since the 2020 Super Bowl run, when the team lost both Emmanuel Sanders and Marquise Goodwin in the same month.

Projected Roster Adjustments

- **Short term (2‑4 weeks):** Expect Kittle to see increased target share; Tolbert to receive 4‑6 targets per game. - **Mid term (Weeks 6‑10):** If Montgomery returns, the backfield will revert to a 2‑RB split with Elijah Mitchell handling third‑down duties. - **Long term (Post‑Week 10):** Should Samuel miss the remainder of the season, the 49ers may trade for a veteran slot receiver before the trade deadline (Nov 1).

Outlook and Official Statements

Head coach Kyle Shanahan said, “We’re adjusting our scheme, but the talent depth is there.” Defensive coordinator Raheem Morris added that the defense will need to stay on the field longer to compensate for offensive tempo changes. The team’s medical staff will provide weekly updates via the official 49ers app.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will David Montgomery be out with his groin injury?

He is expected to miss between two and four weeks, depending on his response to physical therapy.

Which fantasy players should replace Deebo Samuel while he recovers?

Jalen Tolbert and George Kittle are the top weekly substitutes based on target share and red‑zone efficiency.

When is the next 49ers game where the injured WR might return?

If cleared, the concussed wide receiver is slated to be back for the Week 7 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals.