Knee injury

49ers’ HC Kyle Shanahan said TE George Kittle will not play Sunday against Arizona. (Adam Schefter on Twitter)

Nerdy Football Analysis: Ross Dwelley (3-24) and Garrett Celek held down the fort at tight end last week for the 49ers and will do so again this week against the Cardinals. It’s hard to get excited about Dwelley as a fantasy option but the matchup couldn’t be any better as the Cardinals give up the most fantasy points to the position.

Back injury

Matthew Stafford was not practicing on Wednesday as Detroit began preparations for this week’s game against the Dallas Cowboys. Stafford is dealing with a back injury that he suffered on a high hit two weeks ago in Oakland. ESPN says he has fractured bones in his back, the second time in as many years he’s had such an injury. (MLive.com)

Nerdy Football Analysis: Jeff Driskel will get the start if Stafford is held out again. Driskell finished with a 269-1-1 line in Week 10 against teh Bears. We’ll get a better idea of Stafford’s true status after practice on Friday.

Sprained MCL

Update on the MCL sprain suffered by #Falcons TE Austin Hooper: He’s expected to be out about a month, source said. Not great news for the NFL’s leader in catches at his position. (Ian Rapoport on Twitter)

Nerdy Football Analysis: Bad news for Hooper owners who will be without their tight end for the stretch run in fantasy leagues. Luke Stocker is the next man up at the position but he is more of a blocker. It won’t be surprising if the Falcons use more three wide receiver sets this week against the Panthers.