Fantasy Football Week 7 stars and studs: Justin Herbert confirms QB1 status

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 25: Quarterback Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers looks to pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second quarter at SoFi Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /

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FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 25: Jeff Wilson #30 of the San Francisco 49ers scores a touchdown in the third quarter of a game against the New England Patriots on October 25, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

Jeff Wilson Jr. – San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers backfield is a notoriously difficult one to judge and the ludicrous injury situation they have dealt with this season has not helped fantasy players in that regard.

With starter Raheem Mostert on short-term injured reserve with a high ankle sprain, Jerick McKinnon and JaMycal Hasty were expected to get the bulk of the workload against the New England Patriots.

Instead Kyle Shanahan made Wilson, who had been questionable with a calf injury prior to the game, his bellcow and the results were spectacular as the Niners powered to a 33-6 win in Foxborough.

Wilson racked up 112 yards and three touchdowns on the ground on 17 carries and also caught a pair of passes for eight yards, giving him a final fantasy tally of 32 points in PPR leagues.

He suffered a high ankle sprain on his third touchdown and is set for short-term IR himself. Kyle Shanahan, per Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle, said Wilson is likely to miss a month because of the injury.

While that is a bitter blow for Wilson after a career day, what his performance reiterated is that Shanahan’s scheme is extremely friendly to running backs and fantasy players can expect those to line up in the 49er backfield to excel.

For the immediate future, undrafted free agent rookie Hasty appears the leading candidate to take most of the snaps at running back in the absence of Wilson and Mostert. Hasty demonstrated excellent burst in rushing for 57 yards on nine carries and, given the efficiency the San Francisco running game has displayed in recent weeks, there is plenty of evidence to suggest he can perform at Wilson’s level in the coming weeks.

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