Three 49ers players who won't be a factor against the Bills in Week 13

This is in many cases considered a down season for the San Francisco 49ers, plagued by injuries and minimal production from their star players. Buffalo, who’s on a six-game win streak, will be able to take advantage of the lack of talent that the 49ers have. Down Brandon Aiyuk, Elijah Mitchell, and talented corner Ambry Thomas, the 49ers are a shell of the Super Bowl team they once were. So that begs the question. Besides the obvious backups that are playing a role now, which players won’t be a factor in Sunday night's matchup?

Wide receiver Deebo Samuel

The production that Deebo Samuel is putting up this year compared to previous years is mind-boggling. Samuel has totaled 521 yards and one touchdown all season, and in many games has been a non-factor, including last week when he totaled one catch for 21 yards. The 49ers offense has been subpar lately, and their $71M star receiver not producing has hindered their passing attack. As he faces the elite Bills secondary this week, led by Christian Benford, this should be another game to forget for Samuel. 

Whoever they trot out at quarterback

Brock Purdy should be starting this week, but on the off chance he can’t go, Brandon Allen will get his second start in a row. That doesn’t give Kyle Shanahan much hope, either. Allen threw 199 yards, one touchdown, and one interception last week, and didn’t give 49ers brass much to be hopeful about. When Purdy’s been healthy this season, he’s thrown for 2,613 yards, 13 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, and he’s also fumbled the ball six times. The Bills' defense hasn’t allowed much to quarterbacks this season, whether the pass rush gets to them quickly, or the secondary is playing lockdown, Bobby Babich’s defense has made it very challenging all season.

Running back Christian McCaffrey 

Crazy to say, yes. However, he’s still shaking the rust off a bit since returning three weeks ago. He’s shown flashes of the burst he’s had throughout his career, but up to this point, he still looks limited by his Achilles tendinitis. With McCaffrey back, he’s taking away snaps from Jordan Mason, who’s looked to be very good in his place. Mason totaled 685 yards and three touchdowns before McCaffrey returned. The Bills give up 119 rushing yards per game, according to Yahoo Sports. McCaffrey shouldn’t pose an issue to the Bills defense at this current pace he’s on, and I’d look at other players, such as Mason, to give the Bills fits on the ground.

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