Matt Breida Fantasy Outlook Clouded Despite His Expected Return in Week 14

San Francisco 49ers running back Matt Breida has been sidelined the last three games with an ankle injury. However, he will make his return to the field in Week 14 against the New Orleans Saints, after practicing without restrictions this week.

The 49ers backfield has been a committee all season long, so when Breida went down with an injury, it was a next-man-up approach. Tevin Coleman got the bulk of the carries in Week 11 against the Arizona Cardinals and in Week 12 against the Green Bay Packers.

In last week's loss to the Ravens, Mostert led the Niners' rushing attack. He ran for 146 yards on 19 carries, playing 73 percent of the snaps. One would think that type of performance earns more snaps.

With Breida healthy, Mostert's role has typically been reduced to nearly nothing, but it would be tough to keep him off the field after last week's performance. This creates headaches for playing any of the 49ers' running backs in fantasy, since all three are likely to get run to begin the game. After that, you'd have to assume the coaching staff will take a hot-hand approach.

The matchup with the Saints isn't a great one overall, with them giving up the fourth-fewest PPR points to running backs this season. Coleman is ranked highest in our Week 14 PPR rankings, at RB26, with Mostert coming in shortly after, at RB35. Breida will have his opportunity to make an impact on this game as well, but this backfield is too muddled to make any surefire predictions.

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