The 5-2 San Francisco 49ers head to Houston to take on the 2-4 Texans as 2.5-point road underdogs. They have been plagued with injuries to pass catchers going back to Brandon Aiyuk’s ACL and MCL injury last season. Add in George Kittle, Ricky Pearsall, and Jauan Jennings injuries to go with Brock Purdy missing most of the season so far, and there has been plenty of trouble for the passing game.
Kyle Shanahan has managed to navigate those injuries with Mac Jones at quarterback, but only have a +7 point differential despite a 5-2 record. They’ve been playing some close games and are middle of the pack in EPA per play. They need to get their playmakers healthy. Kittle has returned, but Pearsall and Aiyuk remain out. That should give Jennings a step up for fantasy, but his lingering injuries continue to slow him down. He has missed two games and only be startable in fantasy in one of his five starts.
Below, we’ll go over Jauan Jennings’ outlook in fantasy football for Week 8.
Fantasy Football analysis: 49ers, WR, Jauan Jennings
The question we can’t really answer is if Jennings is healthy or not? He says he’s playing through five broken ribs, which makes it seem like he is in fact not healthy. Kendrick Bourne is outplaying him, while Christian McCaffrey is easily their WR1 so far this season. Now, if George Kittle can get going, that would be another player taking targets from him. But, there’s no doubt they need wide receivers catching passes downfield and they are lacking for healthy ones.
The opportunity should be there for Jennings, if he can take it. He will have to deal with a solid Texans defense though. So far they’ve allowed just three touchdowns and the sixth-fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers. Personally, I’m in a league where I will likely flex him out, but I don’t feel great about it. We’re all in different situations, but if you have healthier and more consistent options this week, take those instead.
Start or sit in Week 8 PPR leagues?
Sit.
Start or sit in Week 8 standard leagues?
Sit.
