The San Francisco 49ers may consider a Colin Kaepernick trade this offseason after the quarterback went down with an injury, but a trade could be tough with Kaepernick's contract situation. The team has Carlos Hyde dealing with an injury and if he is out Week 12, Shaun Draughn will be the best fantasy start option for Blaine Gabbert against the Cardinals.
Carlos Hyde has missed time for the 49ers over the past month and he has not played in a game since Week 7 of the season. According to CSN Bay Area, Hyde missed last week against the Seahawks with a stress fracture in his foot and he could be out again in Week 12 if he doesn't show improvement in practice leading into the weekend. The 49ers have Shaun Draughn, Kendall Gaskins and Travaris Cadet on the roster and Draughn has been getting the bulk of the work with Hyde injured.
Last week Draughn had 12 rushes for 37 yards and he also added eight catches for 40 yards out of the backfield. Draughn is a solid option in PPR leagues and he should continue to get work with Hyde dealing with the injury. Blaine Gabbert continues to start for the 49ers with Kaepernick injured and the run game could see more of a focus against the Cardinals in Week 12. Gaskins is a deep league option, as he could get some goal line carries over Draughn this week.
The 49ers placed Kaepernick on injured reserve and the quarterback had surgery on his non-throwing shoulder and now he will be out for around four to six months while he recovers, according to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. According to the report, the injury to Kaepernick was "extensive" and now he will need time to rehab this offseason. Kaepernick may have played his last game with the 49ers, as the team may look at trading or releasing the quarterback this offseason.
ESPN reports that Kaepernick is scheduled to make $11.9 million in guaranteed money in April and the 49ers could look at trading or releasing Kaepernick before he is due to get that money. Kaepernick has over $31 million coming to him over the next three years in guaranteed money and Pro Football Talk writes that the money could make it tough for the 49ers to make a trade.
The Niners are also dealing with an injury to Glenn Dorset and he will be out for the rest of the season with a torn ACL. According to Pro Football Talk, Dorsey had to be carted off in Week 11 against the Seahawks with an injury and the team announced that the defensive tackle suffered a torn ACL. Rookie Arik Armstead now likely will see increased playing time with Dorsey out. Dorsey had been playing well this season and started seven games for the Niners and now he will be out for the year after being injured trying to tackle Thomas Rawls.