San Francisco (Defense / SF)

Latest News:

01.23.12

Ted Ginn finished the year with just 19 catches for 220 yards and no touchdowns.

Impact:
The 49ers led the NFL with 27.2 yards per kick and punt returns this year, and Ginn was a big reason for that. Moreover, him being inactive with a knee injury Sunday resulted in Kyle Williams losing two fumbles during the NFC Championship Game, so the absence of Ginn was huge Sunday.

01.23.12

Delanie Walker (jaw) returned to action Sunday, catching two passes for 36 yards.

Impact:
Walker is a great blocker and a key member of the 49ers' offense, but he's not much of a fantasy option, as he gained just 198 receiving yards this season.

01.23.12

Kendall Hunter gained 31 yards on four carries during the 49ers' loss to the Giants during the NFC Championship game Sunday.

Impact:
Hunter finished the regular season with 668 total yards on a modest 128 touches, frequently looking like the team's most dangerous running back. There's a legitimate question whether Hunter could hold up given 250-plus touches, but there's also a strong argument he's a better fantasy pick than Frank Gore next year, especially considering their price tags.

01.23.12

Anthony Dixon had two carries for three yards in the 49ers' loss Sunday.

Impact:
Dixon finished the year with just 87 yards on 29 rushing attempts. He's got 3.3 YPC with only six receptions over his first two years in the league. He'll enter 2012 no better than the 49ers' third string running back.

01.23.12

Frank Gore ran for 74 yards on 16 carries (4.6 YPC) and added 45 receiving yards on six catches during the 49ers' loss to the Giants on Sunday.

Impact:
Gore finished the regular season with 1,325 total yards and eight touchdowns, playing in all 16 games for just the second time in his seven-year career. Still, his receiving numbers took a major dip, as he was asked to block more than ever, and his explosion appears to be dissipating as he approaches age 30. Gore will be a risky fantasy selection next year if he costs an early round pick.

01.23.12

Alex Smith completed 12-of-26 passes for 196 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions during the 49ers' loss Sunday.

Impact:
Smith also ran for 42 yards on six carries. Although he completed just 46.2 percent of his passes, with just one going to a wide receiver for three yards, he got 7.5 YPA thanks to two big plays to Vernon Davis. Smith failed to throw for 300 yards in any game this season and finished with a modest 7.1 YPA mark. Still, he also led the NFL with the lowest INT%, and he was also effective as a runner. His 90.7 QB rating was easily a career-high. Smith isn't a great fantasy QB, but he developed into more than a competent one for the 49ers. It would be shocking if he's not back as San Francisco's starter in 2012.

01.22.12

Ted Ginn (knee) is inactive for Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Giants, the 49ers' official site reports.

Impact:
This is a slight downgrade for the 49ers' special teams, so plan accordingly if you are invested in Ginn or the DST in fantasy playoff leagues.

01.22.12

Delanie Walker (jaw) is active for Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Giants, Comcast SportsNet Bay Area reports.

Impact:
This is good news for Frank Gore and the 49ers run game.

01.20.12

Delanie Walker (jaw) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Giants, the Sacramento Bee reports.

Impact:
Walker is generally expected to play, however. Still, between his minimal role and sore jaw, he's unlikely to post noteworthy numbers.

01.20.12

Ted Ginn (knee) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Giants, the Sacramento Bee reports.

Impact:
Ginn is not expected to play, however. Kyle Williams is likely to pick up his workload.

01.19.12

Ted Ginn (right knee) did not practice Thursday, CSN Bay Area's Matt Maiocco reports.

Impact:
We'll revisit his status Friday, but Ginn's status for Sunday's game against the Giants appears to be in doubt.

01.19.12

Delanie Walker (jaw) returned to a limited practice Wednesday, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Impact:
That said, coach Jim Harbaugh indicated that Walker had not yet been medically cleared to play in Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Giants. "We'll have to wait and see," Harbaugh said Wednesday. "Today will be the first practice. See how he responds to today's work, today's treatment. We'll know more tomorrow, then more the next day. Ultimately, it will be in the doctor's hands."

01.17.12

Delanie Walker (jaw) plans to suit up Sunday against the Giants, the San Jose Mercury News reports.

Impact:
That said, coach Jim Harbaugh said that a decision on that front hasn't been made yet and will be up to team doctors.

01.17.12

Though Frank Gore appeared to injure his right leg on the 49ers' final drive this past Saturday, he said that he will be okay, the San Jose Mercury News reports.

Impact:
"I feel good. I'll do whatever it takes to get to the Super Bowl," Gore said Monday. Gore carried six times for zero yards against the Giants in Week 10 before leaving the game with a knee issue, so he has nowhere to go but up in Sunday's rematch. Working in his favor is that he's coming off a solid game against the Saints in which he carries 13 times for 89 yards and caught seven passes for 38 yards.

01.16.12

Delanie Walker (fractured jaw) hopes to receive medical clearance Monday to return to action, csnbayarea.com reports.

Impact:
If he does, then it's possible that Walker will be able to suit up for NFC championship game Sunday, but his availability is of more concern to the 49ers' TE depth than it it to those in playoff pools.

01.16.12

Ted Ginn is questionable for the NFC Championship after sustaining a right knee injury in Saturday's win over the Saints, csnbayarea.com reports.

Impact:
If Ginn is unable to go against the Giants on Sunday, then look for Kyle Williams to replace him as the 49ers' No. 2 receiver and on punt returns, with Brett Swain likely to work as the team's No. 3 receiver.

01.14.12

Kyle Williams (concussion) is active for Saturday's game against New Orleans.

Impact:
Williams might be San Francisco's second-best receiver by now, but that's not saying much. He's only a fantasy consideration in deep playoff pools.

01.14.12

Delanie Walker (jaw) is inactive for Saturday's game against New Orleans.

Impact:
This was known to be the case, but the 49ers declined to make it official before Saturday.

01.14.12

Ted Ginn (ankle) is active for Saturday's game against New Orleans.

Impact:
Although he's not much of a fantasy factor, Ginn should be fairly prominent in Saturday's game due to his monopoly on the return work in San Francisco.

01.13.12

Delanie Walker (jaw) is officially listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Saints, the San Jose Mercury News reports.

Impact:
That said, Walker -- who did not practice all week -- is unlikely to play this weekend, though a return to the field next week could be plausible, should the 49ers advance.

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