News 49ers Team Notes

[San Francisco 49ers]

Kyle Shanahan underlines the challenge facing rookie Jordan Watkins

There was a substantial amount of hype around Jordan Watkins heading into preseason after the fourth-round pick’s strong performances in OTAs and training camp.

Following an encouraging showing in the preseason opener, Watkins has essentially had no opportunities to justify that hype, with a succession of injuries keeping the wide receiver from making his 49ers’ regular-season debut until last week’s loss to the Houston Texans.

Watkins had one catch for seven yards and also let a pass go through his hands on third down in the fourth quarter.

The former Ole Miss wideout will hope to have more chances to impress against a depleted New York Giants secondary, but, as Kyle Shanahan articulated on Friday, Watkins’ long road to getting on the field leaves him with an especially difficult challenge to make an impact in his rookie year.

Shanahan said:

“He had a really good OTAs and he got hurt in that first preseason game. I thought Jordan really needed the preseason to fully get ready and I think he would have been, but he missed all of it from there. I think he came back I think Week 2, and then it’s almost like he’s right back to the beginning of training camp, so you hope he can get that in a couple of weeks of practice. He started to do it, and then he hurt something in those two weeks, he pulled something, and then he get another month back, so now he’s getting back into it, but it’s tough for these guys. Same thing happened with Ricky [Pearsall in 2024]. He missed all of training camp as a rookie, then right when he came back he got shot, then it’s a month off and he’s playing the whole season kind of like a rookie training camp. It’s real tough when those guys miss it, puts them really behind the 8-ball, but he’s had two good weeks and hopefully he can continue to stay healthy. If he does, he’ll get there.”

Where there is a difference between Pearsall and Watkins is that, because of the injury to Brandon Aiyuk, Pearsall had a prominent role in the offense right off the bat following his Week 7 debut last year.

Aiyuk has still yet to return from the serious knee injury he suffered in that game, while Pearsall also remains on the sideline with a PCL issue that has seen him miss the last four games.

Still, with Jauan Jennings, Kendrick Bourne, George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey ahead of him in the pecking order in the passing game, Watkins is not in a position to have a huge influence down the stretch as he works through his extended training camp.

Yet Watkins has the physical tools and the route-running savvy to make the most of the opportunities he does get. With a favorable matchup in Week 9, he could to take the first steps towards turning a challenging first season into a successful one.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/san-fr...es-the-challenge-facing-rookie-jordan-watkins

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

Asking price for 49ers pass rush targets is Day 2 pick

The NFL trade deadline is rapidly approaching, and the rumor mill is churning, with the San Francisco 49ers expected to be buyers on Tuesday.

San Francisco started things off with a trade for New England Patriots defensive lineman Keion White, sending a 2026 sixth-round pick and receiving a 2026 seventh-round pick as well.

But, they may not be done, as the 49ers have been making calls on several players and could even acquire more pass-rush help this week. Among the players involved is Miami Dolphins defensive end Jaelen Phillips, who has been involved in a ton of trade talk over the last few weeks.

After the firing of general manager Chris Grier, as well as a 2-7 start to the season, the Dolphins should be inclined to move off pieces, especially expiring contracts like Phillips’s.

The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported on Saturday that San Francisco is among the teams showing interest in Phillips, but the asking price remains fairly high.

“Miami has received interest from the Eagles, 49ers, Patriots and others on OLB Jaelan Phillips (The Dolphins are looking for at least a third-rounder in return),” Russini reported. “They’re also getting calls on DE Bradley Chubb and OLB Matthew Judon.”

San Francisco has traded a third-round pick for a pass-rusher at the deadline in the past, sending one to the Washington Commanders for Chase Young. If they want Phillips, it might be a similar trade.

Phillips has been productive in the past, having 8.5 sacks as a rookie in 2021, seven in 2022, and 6.5 sacks in 2023. He suffered a season-ending injury in 2024, however, and has three sacks in 2025.

The 49ers have their own third-round pick and are currently projected to have three fourth-round compensatory picks, so they do have some midround capital that could be used in a trade. But, there seems to be a clear interest in Phillips from playoff contenders, so the asking price for Miami could very well be met by Tuesday’s trade deadline.

Another potential trade candidate could’ve been New York Giants defensive end Kavyon Thibodeaux, but Russini reported that he is not likely to be traded, with the asking price being a first-round pick. Thibodeaux has 2.5 sacks and 5.5 run stuffs so far this season.

It’s unclear how many moves the 49ers will be willing to make, but another pass-rusher could definitely make sense, especially after the news that Yetur Gross-Matos may be heading to Injured Reserve yet again. San Francisco not only needs healthy bodies, but also more production from pass-rushers, as they rank among the league’s worst in sacks and pressure rate.

Prices do seem high for pass-rushers, so the 49ers may look for a cheaper option, such as Tennessee Titans edge rusher Arden Key, but San Francisco has clearly been evaluating the market and should make another move before the deadline.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/san-fr...rush-targets-price-day-2-pick-jaelen-phillips

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

49ers will have to wait to get a starter back on offense; Yetur Gross-Matos is headed to the IR

It has been a frustrating tenure with the San Francisco 49ers for edge rusher Yetur Gross-Matos. He struggled to stay on the field during his first season as a Niner because of a lingering knee injury. Gross-Matos hasn’t played since Week 5, when he suffered a hamstring injury.

After reportedly re-aggravating his hamstring injury during practice this week, Gross-Matos has been placed on the Injured Reserve List. In addition to Keion White making his Niners debut, Clelin Ferrell will make his return after being elevated from the practice squad.

Spencer Burford was activated from the Injured Reserve List. However, Ben Bartch will have to wait at least another week. Bartch was downgraded from questionable to out. Kyle Shanahan said on Friday that Burford was closer to returning than Bartch was.

With Bartch missing another week, Nick Zakelj was elevated from the practice squad. We’ll see if there is a rotation at left guard between Zakelj and Connor Colby.

The New York Giants elevated wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud and linebacker Zaire Barnes from the practice squad. They also activated cornerback Rico Payton from the injured reserve.

Deommodore Lenoir and McCloud have had their back-and-forths on social media:

Let’s hope we get at least one target between the two.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/san-fr...s-matos-ben-bartch-nick-zakelj-clelin-ferrell

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

49ers-Giants game thread: Can the offense get right against New York?

Injuries on both sides may have robbed us of what could have been a heck of a game between the San Francisco 49ers and New York Giants.

Recency bias would lead you to believe Jaxson Dart is about to have a field day against a defense that just gave up a handful of explosive plays to an anemic Houston Texans offense. It doesn’t help that most of those chunk plays came against the area of the field where Robert Saleh’s defense has been most susceptible all year: The slot.

Rookie Upton Stout will prevent Wan’Dale Robinson in the slot, who had 95 and 84 receiving yards in two of the three previous games. If the secondary can win that matchup, the defense has a good chance to keep Dart and the Giants at bay.

The Giants have allowed the third-most air yards on the season. They have not been good, regardless, but having two cornerbacks out should mean Kendrick Bourne and Jauan Jennings can get back on track. New York also has a shoddy run defense. Last week, Christian McCaffrey rushed for 25 yards. The week before, he had a season-high 129. Kyle Shanahan hopes his offense can run the ball as it did against the Falcons.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/game-d...ad-can-the-offense-get-right-against-new-york

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

49ers inactive list: We could see another change along the offensive line today

The San Francisco 49ers’ inactive list is out for today’s game against the New York Giants:
QB Brock Purdy
C Jake Brendel
DE Bryce Huff
WR Ricky Pearsall
RB Jordan James
DT CJ West
S Marques Sigle

Sigle is a healthy scratch after playing 23 special teams snaps last week and is a seven-game starter.

The defensive line will have Jordan Elliott and Sam Okuayinonu. Linebacker Dee Winters, who was also questionable, is active.

Local reporters Cam Inman and Matt Barrows hinted that Spencer Burford, who was activated from the Injured Reserve Saturday, will start at left guard. That is not something we anticipated, but it makes a ton of sense. Connor Colby has not worked out. Shocker, a seventh-rounder isn’t ready to play. Nick Zakelj, in backup duty when there was a rotation, wasn’t much better.

That’s where Burford, who hasn’t played at all this year but saw time at left guard in limited action during the 2024 season, steps in. Burford played 81 snaps last year at left guard in three stints. He came in Week 1, Week 6, started Week 14, and played again in Week 16. It was limited action, but there were positive flashes.

Burford allowed only two pressures in pass protection. The biggest difference came in the run game, where Burford’s athleticism made a difference when it came to moving laterally down the line of scrimmage, pulling across the formation, or sprinting out of his stance to cut off a linebacker at the second level.

And that’s precisely where whoever is playing left guard this year has struggled. Too often, Christian McCaffrey has been forced to make somebody miss in the backfield or hasn’t been able to reach the second level because there has been too much traffic behind the line of scrimmage.

The 49ers are hoping Burford brings them some stability and will likely take control of the left guard spot moving forward.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/san-fr...ford-brock-purdy-jordan-elliott-marques-sigle

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

Seahawks-Commanders thread: Jayden Daniels can do the 49ers a favor

Jayden Daniels returns for the Washington Commanders as they host the Seattle Seahawks. It’s Sam Darnold on the road against a team that brings pressure and will play a lot of man coverage. From a matchup standpoint, you can’t ask for a better team to play if you’re Washington.

Seattle is off a bye week, but that bye didn’t come at a good time. The Seahawks’ momentum might have been interrupted during the break. Meanwhile, the Commanders are coming off a blowout loss where they didn’t look competitive.

On the flip side, Daniels gets to go against a team that will run a lot of zone. Seattle has the league’s top run defense. If Kliff Kingsbury is smart, he won’t waste his time running the ball and rely on his first-round quarterback.

This has the makings of an upset, especially if the Commanders can force Darnold into one of his Darnold-esque turnovers. Patrick Mahomes threw two last week.

The 49ers could benefit from a Commanders win. Hopefully, Jayden Daniels can do them a favor. Deebo Samuel has always done well against the Seahawks.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/game-d...hread-jayden-daniels-can-do-the-49ers-a-favor

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

NFC Playoff Picture: The 49ers are sitting pretty with a near perfect conference record

There’s one NFC game remaining in Week 9, but it’s between teams ranked 11th and 14th. Even with a win, the Dallas Cowboys would be on the outside looking in of the playoff picture.

Let’s look at the NFC Standings a week a day before the NFL’s trade deadline.

NFC Playoff Picture​

We will break the teams up into perceived tiers:

1) Philadelphia Eagles – 6-2 (5-1 in the NFC)
2) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 6-2(4-2)
3) Seattle Seahawks – 6-2 (3-2)
4) Green Bay Packers – 5-2-1(3-1-1)
5) Los Angeles Rams – 6-2 (1-2)
6) San Francisco 49ers – 6-3 (6-1)
7) Detroit Lions – 5-3 (2-2)

Not only are these the playoff teams, but these are the seven who could beat anybody at any point, whether home or away.

The Eagles had a bye week. We’re still not sold on them. They beat the Chiefs and the Bucs, but lost to the Broncos and the Giants. In high-leverage situations, do you really trust Jalen Hurts to make a play?

The Bucs are another team that is difficult to figure out. They took down the Seahawks and the Niners, but looked helpless against the Lions. Tampa Bay is also banged up, but that seems to be the case with every NFC team.

Seattle is the best team in the NFC, as painful as that may be to read. They’re complete defensively, have a star wide receiver, an offensive line to protect Sam Darnold, and a bright head coach. But if Darnold has to go on the road in the playoffs, all bets are off.

Remember when the Packers were crowned Super Bowl champs after Week 2? Well, they just lost to the Carolina Panthers. They also lost to the Browns and struggled to put away teams like the Bengals, Cardinals, and Steelers. Green Bay just lost Tucker Kraft for the season to an ACL injury. They are on fraud watch.

The 49ers likely lost another starter for the season due to an injury. Mykel Williams was quite good as a run defender, but this was never going to be a team that was going to win with its defense. Brock Purdy appears set to return. Ideally, Ricky Pearsall and Brandon Aiyuk aren’t far behind. If the 49ers are going to make a run, it’s going to be because they score 28+ a game. Sustainable? Unlikely. Doable? Yes.

The next crop of teams is on the outside looking in, and will likely stay that way unless one of these top teams falters. They’re fiesty, but nothing more.

8) Chicago Bears – 5-3 (3-2)
9) Carolina Panthers – 5-4 (3-1)
10) Minnesota Vikings – 4-4 (2-2)
11) Dallas Cowboys – 3-4-1(2-3-1)
12) Atlanta Falcons – 3-5 (2-3)

The Bears’ defense makes Robert Saleh’s look like the ‘85 Bears.

The Panthers have won their last two games by scoring 16 and 13 points. Sandwiched in between that was a 31-point loss to the Bills. The schedule sets up well for Carolina, but when push comes to shove, we have a difficult time believing they can keep up with the upper echelon teams of the conference.

The Vikings upset the Lions, but Detroit seemed to be sleepwalking. Minnesota doesn’t have a quarterback.

The Cowboys have a quarterback, which will always make them dangerous. But that’s another team that can’t seem to get stops.

13) Washington Commanders – 3-6 (1-5)
14) Arizona Cardinals – 2-5 (2-3)
15) New York Giants – 2-7 (1-5)
16) New Orleans Saints – 1-8 (1-6)

These four teams are unserious and there’s no need to waste time discussing them.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/san-fr...33/49ers-playoff-picture-eagles-bucs-seahawks

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

Cowboys vs. Cardinals thread: A battle between 2 disappointing NFC squads

The Arizona Cardinals will once again be without Kyler Murray. Jacoby Brissett will be under center for the Cardinals for the third game in a row. On paper, Brissett has had plenty of success, throwing for 320 yards against the Colts and 279 yards versus the Packers. During that span, Brissett has a 4-to-1 TD/INT ratio. You would think that success would continue against a Cowboys defense that is third-worst in the NFL in passing efficiency.

Arizona is 12th defensively in the same metric. However, Dak Prescott will be far and away the best quarterback the Cardinals have faced. They gave up 23 to Seattle, 21 to the Titans, 31 to the Colts, and 27 against the Packers. Needless to say, there should be plenty of points in this game.

On average, a Cowboys game this year is around 62 points. But unfamiliarity, a backup quarterback, and a one-dimensional Dallas offense might mean there are only 50 points in this one. We’ll believe it when we see it.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/game-d...d-a-battle-between-2-disappointing-nfc-squads

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

The 49ers not making any other trades tells us how they feel about this team in 2025

The San Francisco 49ers did not make an additional trade at the deadline, as many expected. Head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked whether the season-ending injury to Mykel Williams meant the team would be busy ahead of the deadline. Shanahan did not believe so:

“No, that hasn’t changed anything. I know those guys are working around the clock on just any possibilities and stuff as they do every single year. But no, this happening hasn’t changed anything.”

So, while the 49ers were busy in 2025, making four trades, a fifth to put a defense that has been lackluster since losing Fred Warner isn’t in the cards.

The team added Keion White, who Shanhan said, “definitely shows a lot of inside rush potential,” but that’ll be the only acquisition. To White’s credit, he performed well during his 49ers debut. Twenty of his 33 snaps came from the inside. Per PFF, White’s win percentage as a pass rusher was the fifth-highest of any edge rusher in Week 9 at 20.5 percent.

Getting Bryce Huff back should solidify one edge-rushing spot. A player like Jermaine Johnson or Bradley Chubb could have helped, which isn’t debatable. Still, the cost was obviously too rich in the 49ers’ eyes, especially with Johnson one year removed from an Achilles injury.

The New York Jets were asking for a second-round pick in return for Johnson, who is under contract for another year and a half. The fact that a trade didn’t happen suggests that New York didn’t budge from their initial stance. If that’s true, good on the 49ers for keeping the pick.

There were likely alternative offers, such as adding a player to lower the Jets’ asking price. But that player would need to present some kind of value. New York not biting on a trade says all we need to know.

The 49ers are also self-aware. Despite their record, it’s clear that this isn’t going to be the year they make a deep playoff run. In 2023, the Niners’ injury luck was pristine. It’s no coincidence that was the season they looked the best under Kyle Shanahan.

It’s been the opposite this season. Every Monday, it’s a foregone conclusion that there will be a new injury popping up. That doesn’t mean the 49ers won’t remain competitive this season, or even make the playoffs.

Standing pat is a sign the Niners knew there weren’t any immediate fixes available, and that the offense was going to be the side of the ball to put them over the top. The offense will need Brandon Aiyuk and Ricky Pearsall healthy. Those will be the biggest acquisitions the 49ers have in November.

Will the 49ers regret not adding another player at the trade deadline? Or are they saying the quiet part out loud about how they feel about the prospects of this team in 2025?

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/san-fr...radley-chubb-jets-robert-saleh-trade-deadline

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

Should the 49ers have made a move at the deadline?

The San Francisco 49ers were quiet on deadline day, not making any moves as they elected to keep their draft picks and move ahead with their current roster.

The 49ers did make a move for defensive lineman Keion White, swapping a sixth-round pick for a seventh-round pick with the New England Patriots last week. But, they remained pat on Tuesday, indicating how they feel about this year’s team without stars Nick Bosa and Fred Warner.

There were some moves for edge rushers on deadline day, including the Philadelphia Eagles trading a third-round pick for Miami Dolphins pass-rusher Jaelen Phillips.

But, other rumored pass-rushers to be dealt, such as Miami’s Bradley Chubb and Matthew Judon, New York’s Jermaine Johnson and Will McDonald, Cincinnati’s Trey Hendrickson, Tennessee’s Arden Key, and Kavyon Thibodeaux, were all not moved by their respective teams.

The asking price for several of those players was very high. The Jets were reportedly looking for a second-round pick for Johnson after trading stars Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams. And the Bengals were reportedly looking for a first-round pick.

However, it was a bit of a surprise that some of those teams didn’t unload more expiring contracts, given where they currently stand.

With no moves, the 49ers are projected to have eight picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, including three projected fourth-round compensatory picks.

Given their 6-3 record, should they have made a move at the deadline?

After Nick Bosa went down several weeks ago with a torn ACL, the outlook on this season was diminished, even with the 49ers’ impressive start. Then came the Fred Warner season-ending injury, which was even more killer, and San Francisco’s defense has slid since, ranking in the bottom 10 in EPA per play.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch both were wary of moving future assets for players that don’t help the team past this season as well. That proved to be true with the 49ers staying pat at the deadline.

Electing not to be aggressive could end up panning out well, as the 49ers have a good haul of draft picks for 2026 and an offseason where they can spend where needed in free agency after resetting their books this year. The injuries certainly limit the ceiling of the team. But, it also shows a lack of confidence in a team that has fought hard en route to a 6-3 record and potential playoff spot.

Pass rush was a clear need after Mykel Williams tore his ACL, and that’s where the 49ers were most rumored in trade speculation. Even if it wasn’t a big move, San Francisco could’ve looked for another body to add to their current group.

That figures to be a problem for the rest of the season now, even after Bryce Huff returns, given the team’s depth at the position now.

San Francisco is still in a good spot to push for the playoffs with their remaining schedule. The 3-0 start in a very competitive division is a great position to be in. But, we’ll see if the team missed out on a possible addition come playoff time.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/san-fr...hould-have-made-move-kyle-shanahan-john-lynch

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

49ers to host a cornerback fully cleared from injury next Monday

You can never have enough options at cornerback. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapport, cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. was fully cleared this week to return to the NFL after having a spinal fusion procedure this offseason.

Samuel Jr. will visit the Carolina Panthers on Wednesday, the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, the Minnesota Vikings on Friday, the San Francisco 49ers on Monday, the Chicago Bears on Tuesday, and the Pittsburgh Steelers next Wednesday. So, it’ll be a busy week of working out for Samuel Jr.

Samuel Jr. last played in September 2024, where he was on the field for the first four games of the season. The former second-round pick just turned 26, so he should have plenty of quality football left.

Statistically, 2022 was his best season, where he only allowed a 42 percent completion percentage on 78 targets. But it’s not like he struggled in any of the other three years. Samuel Jr. has consistently made plays on the ball, which is likely why he’s generated so much interest.

Teams will want to see how healthy he looks, but wouldn’t the concern be how he holds up as a tackler or when it comes to his physicality, based on the injury? You won’t know that until there are game-like conditions.

Samuel is an outside cornerback. Just like we discussed with Cam Taylor-Britt, you’d have to do some reshuffling to get him on the field. Like Deommodore Lenoir going back to nickel and Upton Stout moving to safety. That is, unless Robert Saleh wants to take a linebacker off the field, go big nickel by putting Ji’Ayir Brown or Malik Mustapha in the box, and play an extra cornerback on the field. There are ways for Saleh to get creative and get a talent like Samuel on the field.

Samuel was a collegiate teammate of Renardo Green, who is one year younger than him.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/san-fr...9ers-asante-samuel-renardo-green-robert-saleh

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

Golden Nuggets: Another day of waiting on the injury report

Can 49ers play Brock Purdy if he’s not fully healed? Surgeon weighs in on risks (paywall)
“Dr. Kenneth Jung, a foot and ankle surgeon who is a consultant to the Rams, understands the needle the 49ers are attempting to thread when it comes to possibly putting Purdy back on the field. Jung said the 49ers are likely trying to gauge when Purdy can play without his toe being primarily supported and stabilized by a device such as a steel or carbon-fiber plate, which Purdy used when he returned against Jacksonville.

Purdy would still likely require a plate, along with a modified cleat, to play with a not-fully-healed toe. However, if his damaged tissue had healed enough, he could plant and push off on his right foot more effectively while being at a lesser risk of suffering a reaggravation.

“You can do things to stabilize turf toe,” said Jung, who works at Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics in Los Angeles. “But you still have to allow some of the healing of the tissue to occur so you’re not relying so much on these external devices or modifications for support. You’re trying to allow some of that healing to take place so some of his natural tissue is absorbing some of the burden while these devices are providing support, as well. That combination is going to allow him to get back out there.”

Might 49ers’ WR Brandon Aiyuk sit out the entire season? No one knows for sure (paywall)
“Another “few good weeks,” and Aiyuk should be that much closer to being close.

Shanahan said in August that Week 6 would be the time to start thinking about his practice window. After all, Aiyuk was required to miss at least four games due to his opening the season on the physically unable to perform list, and Week 5 was a short week. Hence Week 6.

At this point, the 49ers would be lucky to get him back before their Week 14 bye.

If indeed Aiyuk returns to action before the end of the regular season, or even potentially ahead of a playoff game, how much can be expected of him? After he missed an entire training camp as a hold-in, a newly extended Aiyuk got off to a slow start.“

49ers have as many sacks as one NFL player. Shanahan explains D-line inactivity at deadline (paywall)
“Would it have been nice to have added some big-time guys? McKivitz allowed himself to dream about adding two All-Pro defensive linemen this week, but he wasn’t howling because the impractical, or something far more realistic, didn’t happen.

“I’m sure fans want to see (Browns pass rusher) Myles Garrett and (Raiders pass rusher) Maxx Crosby on the same D-line,” McKvitz said. “I sure do. But it’s not Madden where we can turn off the (salary) cap. It would have been cool. But, hey, they’re riding with the guys we’ve got.”

49ers QB Brock Purdy increasing first-team practice reps as recovery progresses
“Coach Kyle Shanahan said the plan calls for Purdy to continue to push his recovery from a turf toe injury. A decision likely will be made later in the week to determine whether Purdy will be available to play against the Rams at Levi’s Stadium.

Purdy is scheduled for limited practice on Wednesday, Shanahan said.

Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall has not been cleared to return to practice.“

Why it made no sense for 49ers to make blockbuster move at NFL trade deadline
“The 49ers are realistic about this season. Yes, they still can win half of their games through the remainder of the season and get into the postseason. But there was no player they could have added who would have immediately vaulted the 49ers to the top of the NFC.

San Francisco expects Bosa, Warner and Williams to come back strong next season. And they have a projected seven picks within the first four rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft.

They can add an offensive lineman (or two), a defensive lineman (or two) and a wide receiver (or two) to shore up some weaknesses on their roster for next season.

It did not make sense for the 49ers to have a Super Bowl-or-bust mentality for this season when, theoretically, they should be in much-better shape to make a challenge when Bosa and Warner are on the field to assist them.“

Kyle Shanahan previews 49ers-Rams Week 10 matchup
“San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan addressed reporters ahead of Wednesday’s practice as the team gears up for its Week 10 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. Here’s everything he said.”

Steve Young shares candid thoughts on 49ers QB Brock Purdy’s recovery
“”At some point, Brock, I would suspect, would say, ‘Hey, enough. I’m playing,'” Young said during an interview on Bay Area radio station KNBR. “And those conversations, I’ve got to believe, have happened. If Brock could go out, I think Brock would force it….I feel like if Brock could somehow play, he would force the issue,” Young added. “I would. I would force it publicly, I would force it privately, I would make it happen. And so, it must be—and I know Brock—I would suspect, he can’t make it happen because he’s not healthy enough.”

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/golden...s-angeles-rams-injury-practice-kyle-mac-jones

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

John Lynch says the 49ers are close to opening Brandon Aiyuk’s practice window

Injuries have been the storyline for the San Francisco 49ers all season long, as the team has dealt with serious issues with several starters, including stars Nick Bosa and Fred Warner.

Lately, the biggest concerns have been starting quarterback Brock Purdy and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall. Neither player has seen the field since Week 4, when Purdy re-aggravated his turf toe injury while Pearsall suffered a knee injury.

There was hope that both would be back sooner, but their timelines have continued to be delayed, adding to the concerning injury news for the 49ers. Then, there’s the timeline for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who continues to recover from a significant knee injury suffered in October last season.

Ahead of the season, there wasn’t a firm timeline for Aiyuk, with head coach Kyle Shanahan throwing out Week 10 as a potential target date. Well, the 49ers are not opening Aiyuk’s practice window this week, but that could be coming sooner than later, according to general manager John Lynch.

“That was catastrophic, all three ligaments,” Lynch shared about Aiyuk’s injury. “He did a lot to his knee. I think both things can be true. He can be having a miraculous recovery because he’s worked hard and because he’s different, frankly. He’s very blessed by the good Lord with his athletic ability, and those guys tend to heal faster. But still, it’s a long, long process, and you have to hit all the markers.

“And so, it’s come along well. We’re getting close to opening up that window, and we look forward to the time. We’re a better football team when he’s out there. He’s a really good football player. And so, we look forward to when that day comes.”

That echoes Shanahan’s statement from earlier this week that Aiyuk will eventually return, with Lynch sharing more optimism on the situation. The star would be a big boost to the offense, which has seen numerous receiver injuries this season, including the lingering one for Pearsall.

Pearsall is trending on the wrong side this week after not practicing on Wednesday, with the knee injury clearly being a bigger issue than the 49ers initially thought.

It’s clear the 49ers want to err on the side of caution with both players, which is especially important in Aiyuk’s case with the magnitude of his injury. But, the team needs reinforcements at some point, as they get ready for the second half of the season in the most competitive division in football.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/san-fr...don-aiyuk-practice-window-close-kyle-shanahan

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

Golden Nuggets: By the time you finish reading this, another 49er will get hurt

Robert Saleh, Klay Kubiak, Mac Jones preview 49ers-Rams Week 10 matchup
“Here’s everything they said.”

Kawakami: The long, clear road to the 49ers’ silent deadline (paywall)
“(Note: The 49ers will probably get a good pick or two back if and when they trade Mac Jones next offseason, but it would’ve been difficult for the 49ers to factor that into any trade calculations this week.

(The Jets, Saints, Browns, Dolphins, and others could or will be looking for a starting quarterback. Jones is signed for next season, which is odd for a young former starter coming in as a backup, but I presume we’ll find out that the 49ers tacitly agreed to trade Jones if things went well this season.)…..I sure don’t expect [Jed York] to spend another offseason letting so many veterans go and bringing in so few. You should need to take your medicine only once in a cycle.

Could the 49ers go after Hendrickson when he hits free agency this spring? Maybe not, but it shouldn’t be out of the question. Or a trade for Maxx Crosby? Trading some prime picks and picking up Laremy Tunsil’s huge contract in Washington if Adam Peters needs to do his own reset?

I’m not predicting that any of these will happen, only that we’re seeing what Year 1 of the 49ers’ reset looks like. Year 2 should be different. Or else why go through Year 1?

49ers rookie D-lineman Alfred Collins believes he’s only scratching surface
““It hurt deeply,” Collins told NBC Sports Bay Area. “You hate to see that happen to your brother. He worked his butt off every day to be where he’s at right now. Now, it’s adding gasoline to the fire.

“Every day we were intentional on things we needed to do to get better. We were climbing that ladder every day together.”

Why hasn’t Brandon Aiyuk practiced? Why didn’t Brock Purdy go on IR? 49ers mailbag (paywall)
“When someone is coming off a long-term injury like Aiyuk is, the team wants him to reach his baselines for speed and other measurables. It appears as if Aiyuk hasn’t gotten to that point yet.

Erring on the side of caution with Aiyuk also fits the 49ers’ 2025 philosophy of keeping their eye firmly on future seasons. In 2013, Michael Crabtree, who at the time was the 49ers’ top wide receiver, tore his Achilles tendon in an OTA practice. He was back on the field by Dec. 1 — a little more than six months — which is a fast recovery for an Achilles injury.

Back then, the 49ers knew they had a superior team and that their Super Bowl window was rapidly closing. So they made it a priority to get Crabtree back as soon as possible. They definitely haven’t put the same sort of rush order on Aiyuk.“

Moving 49ers’ Keion White inside might unlock his upside while quieting trade critics (paywall)
“It was almost like I got traded every year, for real, because I’ve gone through three different coaching changes even though I was on one team,” White told the Chronicle this week. “Every year, you have to reinvent yourself and prove that you’re worthy of being in the NFL. But when you get a new coach, you have to do it doubly….For me, it’s a completely different mindset because I don’t have to think so much,” White said of rushing against a center or guard. “I can just go get the quarterback right in front of me. When I’m on the outside, I feel like I think a little bit more of where’s the quarterback at? Is he going to step up? Is he going to scramble? Just more so like a cautionary tale.”

Latest 2026 NFL mock draft has 49ers reinforcing the defensive line
“In his latest 2026 NFL mock draft, CBS Sports analyst Ryan Wilson projects the 49ers to strengthen their defensive front by selecting Oregon defensive tackle A’Mauri Washington with the 23rd overall pick. The 6-foot-3, 330-pound lineman brings a blend of power, quickness, and disruption that could fit well with San Francisco’s defensive identity.”

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/golden...-end-pass-rush-brock-purdy-mac-jones-turf-toe

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

It’ll be the Mac Jones show once again against the Rams

The San Francisco 49ers’ final injury report is out. Will this be the week Brock Purdy returns to practice? The Niners had a few key defensive starters added to Thursday’s injury report in Keion White, Kalia Davis, Alfred Collins, and Dee Winters.

Based on the practice reports leading up to Friday, it was likely that each player from above would be listed as questionable. The 49ers’ injury report compared to the Los Angeles Rams’ injury report was comical. The ratio was roughly 17 players to three.

Here is the final injury report:

Out:

Ricky Pearsall (knee)

When asked why Pearsall can run on the side of practice and “shoot hoops” in the locker room, Shanahan explained why Pearsall is unable to fully practice and play:

“Yeah, he can’t…play…football. He can shoot hoops, as you said, which so can any of us in here. He can run in certain speeds, but he hasn’t been able to hit his normal speeds that would have allowed him to come back. We don’t let people come back until they can hit their normal speeds before they got hurt, or it makes them susceptible to injury again. So, we’re just waiting until he hits those markers.”

Questionable:

QB Brock Purdy (toe)
LB Dee Winters (knee, knee)
LB Tatum Bethune (thigh)
G Ben Bartch (ankle)
DT Alfred Collins (hip)
DT Kalia Davis (ankle)
DL Keion White (groin)

Head coach Kyle Shanahan said the team had to make changes during Thursday’s practice due to injuries. Shanahan said the injuries to the defensive linemen all happened at the beginning of practice, so the reps had to be changed and the pace had to be slowed.

Brock Purdy is further along this week, but he won’t start:

“It’ll be Mac [Jones] again starting. Haven’t decided whether I’m going to make him active. But he’s further along this week than last week.”

Shanahan said he usually talks to Brock on Saturday to see how the whole week went for him, to see how much better he would have gotten, and to determine whether he’ll be active. So, it sounds like Purdy will be the determining factor

Bryce Huff is off the injury report. Shanahan called him a “huge need,” and the game against the Falcons was Huff’s best of the season: “Getting him back was huge regardless, but especially after losing some guys, it’s that much more important.”

Bartch got through the week OK, according to Shanahan. He wouldn’t share whether Bartch would start at left guard, but did say Bartch would be active and in uniform.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/san-fr...urdy-dee-winters-alfred-collins-injury-report

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

Golden Nuggets: Another imMaculate weekend of football

49ers’ NFL grandmaster Christian McCaffrey has kept team from facing checkmate (paywall)
“A regular on Chess.com, his username is rather conspicuous. It’s his first and last name, followed by some random assortment of numbers. He isn’t sure if his Greek opponent knows it was the NFL leader in carries, touches and scrimmage yards who just checkmated his king. He is sure the win added eight points to his Elo rating. The Stanford graduate recently surpassed a rating of 1,000 — 1,070 to be exact — that put him firmly in the beginner-to-novice range, in striking distance of intermediate.

He has played a lot of games, and conceded his record could be better, but there’s nothing like online international chess to wind down from a day’s worth of football at Levi’s Stadium.

“It’s funny, if you’re playing late at night and you keep getting somebody from Greece, you’re like, ‘What time is it in Greece?’” McCaffrey said, “and you realize it’s midday. It’s an amazing game.”

How the 49ers’ battered defensive line is fighting through a season from hell (paywall)
““We’re trying to utilize our time with them the best we can and not waste meeting times on certain things that they’re not gonna see on Sunday,” Kocurek said. “So it’s basically geared down to that exact game plan for that Sunday and trying to get as much of that information to them as fast as possible.

“It’s pretty taxing on the players. They gotta have the right mindset to be able to do it, and they’re gonna put a lot of time in away from the building.”

It’s also relying on teammates to help you out — between plays, on walks to the locker room and during meals. Kocurek praised veteran defensive linemen Jordan Elliott, Sam Okuayinonu and Kalia Davis for helping the four rookie D-linemen (Williams, Alfred Collins, CJ West and Sebastian Valdez) and other newcomers all season.

“I feel like the whole (defensive line meeting) room has handled injuries well, and we’re only going to get better,” Davis, 27, said. “The new guys always have questions, and we’ll make sure they’re up to speed. Like Keion, walking through the plays with him … and he’s asking me the footwork on certain stunts and blitzes.

“It’s just always fun for me because I was that guy very recently.”

Five 49ers you should watch in key NFC West showdown vs. Rams in Week 10
“Shortly after waking up Monday morning, George Kittle’s wife, Claire, reminded him of the significance of the next seven days.

She told the 49ers tight end, “Hey, it’s Rams week; get your mind right.”

Kittle appreciated the reminder.

In order for the 49ers to show up with a strong performance on Sunday when they face the Los Angeles Rams at Levi’s Stadium, Claire knew there could be no shortcuts in the days of preparation leading up to kickoff.

“She’s done it for like seven years, and it’s been pretty awesome,” Kittle told NBC Sports Bay Area. “So every Monday before we play the Rams, it’s, ‘Hey, it’s Rams week; get your mind right.’ Because every time we play the Rams, it’s a mental, gritty game.”

49ers expect Bryce Huff to return vs. Rams; other key defenders questionable
“Huff, and offensive linemen Jake Brendel and Ben Bartch are cleared to play, Shanahan said.”

49ers vs. Rams: The Standard’s 5 fast predictions (paywall)
“Kawakami: Rams 27, 49ers 17. Since their 2-0 start, here are the 49ers’ last seven games: Win, loss, win, loss, win, loss, win. Which is what happens when you’ve got a good coaching staff and gutty players, but the top-line and even mid-line talent is threadbare due to injuries. At some point, one bad quarter every other week will do you in. Which is what I’m guessing for this game.”

Kyle Shanahan shares final updates ahead of 49ers-Rams Week 10 matchup
“Yeah, [Ricky] can’t play football. You can shoot hoops, as you said, which so can any of us in here. He can run and hit certain speeds, but he hasn’t been able to hit his normal speeds that would allow him to come back. So, we don’t let people come back until they can hit their normal speeds before they got hurt or it makes them susceptible to injury again. So, we’re just waiting until he hits those markers.”https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/196085-transcript-shanahan-updates-49ers-rams-matchup/
https://www.nbcsportsbayarea.com/nfl/san-francisco-49ers/bryce-huff-injury-report/1890209/

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6786026/2025/11/07/49ers-defensive-line-injuries-kris-kocurek/

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/golden...ams-brock-purdy-toe-mac-jones-mccaffrey-verse

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

49ers activate a potential starter from the Injured Reserve

The San Francisco 49ers officially placed Mykel Williams on the Injured Reserve on Saturday. On Thursday, defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said Williams was “made of the right stuff” following his injury:

The good news but bad news is he has also got players like [DL] Nick Bosa to lean on who are going through the same thing that he is with regards to recovery. He has [S Malik] Mustapha from last year going through that recovery. The good news for Mykel, he’s built the right way, he’s made of the right stuff. There’s no doubt in my mind that he’s going to come back next year as good as he was this year and continue to improve as he develops as a player.

With Williams out, the 49ers elevated defensive linemen Clelin Ferrell and preseason fan favorite Sebastian Valdez from the practice squad. Valdez is more of a pass rusher/disruptive player, so we’ll see if he brings anything to the table for a defense that can use all of the help it can get.

Valdez’s elevation is not a good sign for Week 5 hero Alfred Collins’s status. Collins did not practice on Friday with a hip injury.

Ben Bartch was activated from the Injured Reserve. Head coach Kyle Shanahan was non-committal about Bartch returning to the lineup as a starter at left guard on Friday, saying, “expect him to be activated and back up” and “he should be in uniform,” but wouldn’t confirm Bartch would start. We might have to wait until pre-game warmups to find out whether Bartch will start.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/san-fr...lliams-ben-bartch-robert-saleh-clelin-ferrell