Christian Kirk: questionable, but 49ers plan to activate him
THE FACT. Christian Kirk is listed as questionable with a calf injury, but Shanahan said Friday that the 49ers plan to activate him against Atlanta, per NBC Sports' ProFootballTalk, and that his season debut is trending in the right direction, per Yahoo Sports. Kirk has been a full participant in practice after missing the start of the season.
THE VERDICT. This is the add of the afternoon. With Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel both ruled out, Kirk walks into a thinned-out receiver room in what would be his first game of the year. Redraft: add now, 15% FAAB, and he is a flex play once he is confirmed active. DFS: viable at what should be near-minimum salary, with the caveat that a first game back usually comes with a managed snap count. Dynasty: cheap speculative add.
Twenty-plus years of doing this and the bid I always regret is the guy who hasn't played a down yet. Kirk strained the calf back in late July and has been on IR since the opener, which is why the Niners have to activate him by Saturday just to dress. First game off a three-month soft tissue deal is a cameo, not a flex. And his 2025 line in Houston was 28 catches for 239 yards in 13 games. Brandin Cooks is already in this rotation and costs a tenth of the bid. I'd spend there.