Fantasy football: 5 49ers players to consider using in Week 8 vs. Cardinals

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GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 01: Running back Matt Breida #22 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes the football against the Arizona Cardinals during the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the 49ers in overtime 18-15. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Running Back Matt Breida

Earlier this season, Matt Breida was a shoo-in option for a RB2 or FLEX spot on all fantasy football starting lineups. He was leading the league in rushing over the first few weeks, and he’s still the NFL leader in average yards per carry (6.5).

San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

That said, Breida’s 2018 campaign has been hindered by a number of injuries. Last week in the 49ers’ 39-10 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, an ankle issue forced him out of the game early and limited him to just five carries for 15 yards.

A heck of a setback for many a fantasy football owner.

Breida is still listed as questionable heading into Week 8. He was limited in practice this week, which doesn’t bode well for his chances to post big numbers with regularity in the game. And it’s likely 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan puts a limit on the number of carries Breida has during the contest.

Yet no other team has given up more rushing yards than Arizona this season (1,038). Its defense is susceptible against the run, and Breida has already shown a knack for ripping off huge chunks on the ground.

Just one or two of those would make fantasy owners more than happy they started him in Week 8. And with quarterback C.J. Beathard having turned the ball over four times the last time these two teams faced off, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Shanahan rely more on the running game.