Falcons' Ray-Ray McCloud: Four touches against Tampa Bay
Rotowire
McCloud caught all three of his targets for nine yards and added one carry for 17 yards in Sunday's 31-26 win over the Buccaneers.
McCloud's three targets in the contest were tied for a season low, and the veteran was unable to get much going as the No. 3 wide receiver behind Drake London and Darnell Mooney. As long as both London and Mooney are healthy, McCloud will find it difficult to produce consistently in a passing attack with several mouths to feed. Through eight games, the 28-year-old wideout has recorded 29 receptions for 277 yards and has yet to find the end zone. Up next for McCloud is a Week 9 matchup against the Cowboys.
... See More... See Less
Falcons' Ray-Ray McCloud: Minimal production in loss
Rotowire
McCloud caught two of four targets for nine yards during Sunday's 34-14 loss to the Seahawks.
McCloud played more than 80 percent of Atlanta's offensive snaps for a sixth straight game but finished with a season-low nine yards. His fantasy upside remains limited, but McCloud is only seven yards away from tying his season-long, career-high mark of 277 receiving yards, which he set in 2021 with Pittsburgh.
... See More... See Less
Falcons' Ray-Ray McCloud: Secondary role in double-digit win
Rotowire
McCloud caught three of four targets for 30 yards and rushed once for three yards during Sunday's 38-20 win over the Panthers.
After a season-best performance in Week 5, McCloud's role slightly shrunk as Atlanta leaned on the run game versus Carolina. He played 82 percent of the team's offensive snaps, marking the first time since Week 1 that McCloud didn't play at least 95 percent. The veteran slot receiver remains a key part of the Falcons' new-look offense, but his production has been lackluster, recording 24 catches for 259 yards and zero TDs through six games.
... See More... See Less
Falcons' Ray-Ray McCloud: DNP on Monday's estimation
Rotowire
McCloud (ankle) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice estimation, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports.
McCloud caught a season-high six passes for 52 yards in the Falcons' Week 4 win over the Saints, but it appears he picked up an ankle injury in the process. The 28-year-old wideout likely will need to upgrade to at least limited participation either Tuesday or Wednesday to have a chance at suiting up Thursday night. If McCloud is unable to go Week 5, expect KhaDarel Hodge to see increased work in Atlanta's wide receiver corps.
... See More... See Less
Falcons' Ray-Ray McCloud: Season-high six receptions in win
Rotowire
McCloud caught six of seven targets for 52 yards during Sunday's 26-24 win over the Saints. He also returned two kicks for 39 yards.
Kirk Cousins attempted a season-high 35 passes Sunday, allowing McCloud to notch season highs in targets and receptions. The slot wideout has seen at least five targets in three of the first four games, totaling 146 yards on 13 receptions during those contests. Kyle Pitts was held without a catch on three targets versus New Orleans and hasn't developed a rapport with Cousins yet, and until that happens, McCloud should continue to benefit. McCloud has played all but four of Atlanta's offensive snaps over the past three weeks.
... See More... See Less
Falcons' Ray-Ray McCloud: Secures three receptions in win
Rotowire
McCloud caught three of five targets for 42 yards during Monday's 22-21 win over the Eagles. He also rushed once for three yards.
After leading the Falcons in targets while playing only 48 percent of the offensive snaps in Week 1, McCloud played every offensive snap during Monday Night Football. He finished third on the team in receiving yards behind Darnell Mooney (3-88-1) and Drake London (6-54-1). McCloud was also called for an unnecessary roughness penalty after one of his catches in the second quarter, but that didn't impact his role in the second half. While his production and playing time to start the campaign are encouraging, it remains unclear how many viable fantasy wideouts the Falcons' new-look offense can sustain, especially if tight end Kyle Pitts gets going.
... See More... See Less
Falcons' Ray-Ray McCloud: Getting regular first-team work
Rotowire
McCloud has been getting regular first-team snaps and "seems to have the inside track on the slot receiver role" in Atlanta's offense, according to ESPN's Marc Raimondi reports.
Multiple Atlanta beat reporters have McCloud working ahead of Rondale Moore, not only during training camp but dating back to spring practices. It sounds like McCloud has even seen a good number of targets from Kirk Cousins, including passes deep downfield. That's somewhat surprising given that McCloud played for four different teams over the past six seasons and amassed more punt returns (138) and kickoff returns (108) than receptions (90). He did have a couple stints as a No. 3 receiver, including most of the 2021 season in Pittsburgh and a chunk of 2022 for the 49ers. There's a good chance McCloud factors in on punt/kick returns even if he's a significant part of Atlanta's offense.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Ray-Ray McCloud: Battles through injury in 2023
Rotowire
McCloud accrued 135 receiving yards and 428 combined return yards across 12 regular-season games with San Francisco in 2023.
McCloud overcame a broken wrist suffered during training camp to suit up as the 49ers' return specialist in Week 1. The 27-year-old still sat out five games over the course of the regular season due to injury, with Deebo Samuel and rookie Ronnie Bell handling return duties in McCloud's absence. The veteran wideout performed up to standards as a return man, chipping in 165 combined yards from scrimmage on offense. This upcoming offseason, the 49ers may opt to have the cheaper Bell take over return duties while letting McCloud walk in free agency to save cap space in 2024.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Ray-Ray McCloud: Exits game with back injury
Rotowire
McCloud (back) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Rams.
McCloud was activated off the 49ers' injured reserve list Saturday and returned for his first game since Week 12. He had three catches for 22 yards and one carry for seven yards before exiting with a back injury.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Ray-Ray McCloud: Will play Sunday
Rotowire
McCloud (ribs) is good to go for Sunday's matchup with the Rams, Lindsey Pallares of the 49ers' official site reports.
McCloud was activated off injured reserve Saturday before subsequently getting a questionable designation. He will now be available to play in his first game since Week 12. Look for him to take on his usual role providing depth at receiver and contributing on special teams assuming he avoids any setbacks.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Ray-Ray McCloud: Lands on IR
Rotowire
The 49ers placed McCloud (ribs) on injured reserve Saturday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
McCloud was already ruled out of Sunday's game against the Seahawks for the second straight week. He'll be forced to miss at least the next four games and will be eligible to return Week 18 against the Rams on Jan. 7. In a corresponding move, San Francisco signed Chris Conley to the active roster.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Ray-Ray McCloud: Sitting out second straight game
Rotowire
The 49ers have ruled McCloud out in advance of Sunday's game against the Seahawks, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
McCloud will miss his second game in a row after he took a step back in terms of practice activity this week, opening with a limited session Wednesday before regressing to no participation Thursday and Friday. The 27-year-old serves as a depth receiver for San Francisco, but his absence will loom larger on special teams, where he serves as the 49ers' top kickoff and punt returner when healthy. While McCloud was out in the team's 42-19 win over the Eagles last Sunday, Deebo Samuel stepped in as the 49ers' kickoff returner while Ronnie Bell returned punts.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Ray-Ray McCloud: Still dealing with injury
Rotowire
McCloud (ribs) is considered day-to-day to start Week 14 prep, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
McCloud missed the team's Week 13 win over the Eagles, but it appears he has a chance to return Sunday against the Seahawks based on his day-to-day status. However, if he's unable to play, Deebo Samuel and Ronnie Bell will likely fill in for the return game as they did against Philadelphia.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Ray-Ray McCloud: Misses practice
Rotowire
McCloud sat out Wednesday's practice with a rib injury, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
McCloud has played just 10 snaps on offense over the past three weeks but has an important role on the team as the primary returner for both kicks and punts. An absence for Sunday's showdown with the Eagles might free up a few more snaps and routes for Ronnie Bell, who also would be one of the leading candidates to replace McCloud on kick and punt returns.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Ray-Ray McCloud: Back to full session
Rotowire
McCloud (illness) participated fully in practice Thursday.
McCloud was dealing with an illness Wednesday and unable to practice as a result. With his quick return to the field, he should return to his role primarily as the 49ers' kick and punt returner.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Ray-Ray McCloud: Logs 29 snaps on offense Sunday
Rotowire
McCloud caught both of his targets for 43 yards in Sunday's 31-17 loss to Cincinnati.
McCloud finished third in playing time (49 percent) among 49ers wide receivers with his 29 snaps logged on offense against the Bengals. The 27-year-old finished as the only wideout to be targeted aside from Brandon Aiyuk (nine targets) on Sunday. With the 49ers' bye week on tap, there is a chance that Deebo Samuel (shoulder) returns against Jacksonville in Week 10. If that happens, McCloud would move back to primarily returning kicks after helping fill in for the injured star in recent weeks.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Ray-Ray McCloud: Catches two passes on 19 snaps
Rotowire
McCloud had two receptions on three targets for 20 yards in Monday's 22-17 loss to the Vikings.
McCloud wound up playing 19 snaps on offense (36 percent) in addition to gaining 36 yards on his only official kick return. The 26-year-old teamed up with Jauan Jennings (5-54-0) to help replace Deebo Samuel's (shoulder) missing production Monday. McCloud hasn't recorded more than two receptions in any game this season, so his value remains minimal even with Samuel being ruled out for Sunday's tilt against the Bengals.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Ray-Ray McCloud: Completes quick return
Rotowire
McCloud (wrist) was on the field for four special teams snaps in Sunday's 30-23 win over the Rams.
McCloud made a speedy recovery from a broken wrist suffered this preseason, missing just the first game of the regular season ahead of Sunday's appearance. The 26-year-old was limited to returning kicks against the Rams, which could just be the coaching staff easing him back into action. Assuming his wrist held up fine, McCloud should continue serving as the 49ers' return man in a home matchup against the Giants on Thursday.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Ray-Ray McCloud: Logs limited practice Thursday
Rotowire
McCloud (wrist) was a limited participant at the 49ers' practice Thursday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
McCloud suffered a broken wrist in early August, but he's been recovering ahead of schedule and opened the week with consecutive limited practices. The wide receiver will have one more chance to practice Friday before the team makes a decision on his official status for Sunday's regular season opener versus the Steelers.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Ray-Ray McCloud: Cleared for limited practice
Rotowire
McCloud (wrist) has been cleared to practice and was a limited participant Wednesday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
A prior report suggested McCloud would be out for about two months after breaking his wrist in practice in early August, but he seems to be well ahead of schedule in his recovery and might even be able to play Week 1 at Pittsburgh. If so, he'll likely work as San Francisco's fourth or fifth receiver and might get a couple return chances on special teams.
