Fantasy football advice, Week 10: Who to start/sit for San Francisco 49ers vs. Arizona Cardinals

To the fantasy owners who survived 12 teams going on bye over the course of Week 8 and Week 9, good news – help is on the way. With just four teams taking a break in Week 10, and with several injured players on track to make their return, fantasy owners can breathe a little easier, even as their seasons evolve into must-win weeks down the stretch.

When the 49ers and Cardinals square off on Thursday night, a few notable fantasy options present themselves.

With mum being the word on Carlos Hyde’s status, fantasy owners have little to do other than wait until inactives are announced 90 minutes prior to kickoff time. If Hyde cannot go, DuJuan Harris can immediately be thrust into RB2 consideration even in a tough matchup. Hyde practiced at a limited capacity in all three sessions, but sported a yellow non-contact jersey. Hyde would be a risky flex option if active, and would put a dent in Harris’ value.

Everyone else. Torrey Smith, Jeremy Kerley and Colin Kaepernick have a hellish matchup ahead of them, and even in more encouraging situations, the 49ers’ offense is not one that fantasy owners should have much to do with.

David Johnson has already been one of the best fantasy options to have, regardless of opponent, and he now draws the NFL’s worst run defense. The 49ers have allowed 193 rushing yards per game, which is just eight yards off the pace of the 1978 Buffalo Bills, and that Bills team allowed an NFL-record of 3,228 rushing yards in a 16-game season. Needless to say, there isn’t a player more worthy of being in fantasy lineups than Johnson. Carson Palmer, Larry Fitzgerald and J.J. Nelson can also be considered options in a matchup that could sprinkle fantasy wealth all throughout the Cardinals’ lineup.

Michael Floyd and John Brown have been supplanted on the depth chart by Nelson, and can’t be relied on until further notice.