What It Means:

Kittle has been dealing with a nagging groin injury over the past few weeks and is now considered unlikely to suit up for the 49ers season-opener against the Bears. His absence would narrow the team's target tree down to Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk for the first week of the 2022 season, cementing Samuel as one of the top receivers for Week 1 and bolstering Aiyuk's claim as a potential breakout receiver.

Our models project Samuel and Aiyuk, who have $8,400 and $5,600 salaries on FanDuel, for 14.5 and 8.4 fantasy points respectively in Week 1. The Bears aren't projected to put up much of a fight and the 49ers may utilize a more run-first mentality with second-year quarterback Trey Lance at the helm, limiting the potential for multiple top fantasy receivers on a weekly basis.