RSS 49ers Team Notes

[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

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

Golden Nuggets: GAME DAY!!!!!!!!!!

How Brock Purdy helped the 49ers prepare for the Rams
“It’s been awesome having Brock in there. He’s kind of splitting the reps of the scout team with Adrian. But just having two quarterbacks in there, especially Brock, who can make some of these plays, look people off, do some of the things Stafford does, it definitely gets them ready for him.

“Each quarterback’s different, but those guys have helped out a lot this week.”

When reminded what a rare luxury it is to have someone of Purdy’s caliber helping with the scout team, Shanahan smiled.“

49ers’ special teams had players-only meeting after Week 4 flop: The message sunk in (paywall)
“Gifford noted that most of the players on San Francisco’s coverage units are either new or didn’t play a lot of special teams last season. He said it takes time to gel and noted that when he went from the Dallas Cowboys to the Tennessee Titans in 2023, the Titans’ units sputtered early, too.

“It took some time to adjust,” he said. “And I didn’t feel like I was who they’d paid me to be, you know? So it was frustrating. But halfway through the year, I really felt like we kind of hit a stride.”

While the players are learning Boyer’s techniques and blocking schemes, Boyer has been figuring out the best roles for each player. The 49ers’ torrent of injuries hasn’t helped. For example, when George Kittle was out with a hamstring strain from Week 2 to Week 6, it meant more snaps on offense for fellow tight end Luke Farrell and fewer on special teams. Kittle’s back now, and on Sunday, Farrell had a season-high 20 special teams snaps and two solo tackles.

“When we played against him last year with the Jets, we couldn’t block him,” Boyer said of the 6-foot-6, 251-pound Farrell. “He’s done a really good job. That whole tight end group — they’re so smart you can put ’em anywhere. They can play six different positions on the punt team.”

Each week, the special teams goes into a game with 15 or so goals, a list that might include having no penalties, ensuring the opponent’s best coverage ace gets no tackles or holding the opponent’s average starting position to the 30-yard line. At the start of the season, the 49ers didn’t make good on many of those goals. Lately, however, they’ve been hitting more than half, and Sunday’s outing against the New York Giants was the best one yet.

“And the standard keeps going up each week,” Gifford said. “It’s like anything else — you can’t take a breath. If you take a breath, you’ll get whupped.”

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/golden...0-eddy-money-mac-jones-brock-purdy-scout-team

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

3 quick takeaways from 49ers 42-26 loss to Rams: Houston, we have a problem

The San Francisco 49ers had an ugly 42-26 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in a game that they trailed by at least two scores for over 40 minutes.

It was an ugly start for San Francisco, one they couldn’t overcome as the defense struggled and the offense had some costly turnovers that led to the ugly finish.

With the loss, the 49ers took a big step back in the loaded NFC West, falling to 6-4, while the Rams and the Seattle Seahawks improved to 7-2 on Sunday with wins.

Here are three quick takeaways from the 49ers 42-26 loss to the Rams in Week 10.

Turnovers

In the keys to the game, I highlighted how important turnovers were going to be in this game. I shared how 49ers didn’t even need to win the turnover battle; they just couldn’t afford to lose it and make costly mistakes. The defense was already in a precarious position with the number of key injuries, and this team isn’t built to win from behind multiple scores.

Well, the 49ers lost the turnover battle on Sunday and had a really costly early turnover with a Jauan Jennings fumble.

Jennings, who had an ugly start to the day, fumbled as San Francisco was finally getting some offensive momentum down 14-0, driving well into Los Angeles territory. After a 13-yard catch, the wideout fumbled at the Los Angeles 26-yard line.

The Rams recovered the ball, and safety Kamren Kinchens returned it to the Los Angeles 41-yard line. A couple of minutes later, they scored another touchdown on a nine-play, 59-yard drive that made it 21-0. There was still a ton of game time left, but it felt like the game was over at that point.

San Francisco’s second turnover came in the fourth quarter on Mac Jones’s lone blemish of the day: an interception that sealed the day on a 4th & 4 with the Rams up 35-20 with 8:36 to go. That led to another Rams touchdown, and the game was out of hand at 42-20 at that point.

More importantly, the 49ers didn’t force any turnovers, but the early Jennings fumble was very costly in their demise.

Leaky defense

We’ve seen the 49ers defense struggle a bit over the last few weeks. Against Houston, they just couldn’t generate any pressure and get stops, which led to a 26-15 loss as the offense couldn’t get enough going.

Last weekend, San Francisco was able to reach the 30-point mark, winning 34-24 against a then 2-7 New York Giants team. But, their defense had absolutely no answers for the Rams offense, which totaled over 400 yards of offense and 42 points.

Los Angeles started the game with no resistance, scoring touchdowns on each of its first three drives. Then, they scored touchdowns on all three of their second-half drives (except for kneel-downs to end the game).

We saw what the 49ers thought of their current team when they stayed pat at the deadline this past week. And we saw the results of that this weekend, as the defense just lacked all-around in an ugly performance.

Unfortunately, the current reality is that the 49ers defense just isn’t talented enough. And that will hinder them if their offense isn’t at their A game. That definitely wasn’t the case on Sunday, and San Francisco got blown out.

Third downs

I pointed out the importance of third downs in my keys to win ahead of the game. Well, the Rams were 5/9 on third downs on Sunday, but it was really the lack of third downs that stood out.

On the Rams’ first three drives, they had only two third downs. Two. Which they converted (one was a 3rd & 3 and the other was a 3rd & 6). It wasn’t like Los Angeles had quick drives that led to touchdowns either.

They had a 10-play, 64-yard drive to open things up with a touchdown, having only one third down on the possession. Then, they went 86 yards on seven plays for their second touchdown on the next possession, not even getting to a third down once.

Then, on their third drive, which was nine plays for 59 yards, they had only one third down, which they converted before scoring a third touchdown to go up 21-0.

In fact, a common theme on Los Angeles’s scoring drives was the lack of third downs, given how well they executed on first and second downs. In the second half, the Rams had a 12-play, 64-yard touchdown drive to retake a two-score lead. On that drive? Only one third down (which wasn’t converted, but the Rams got a fourth-down conversion instead).

On the following drive, the Rams didn’t even need a third down, going five plays and 64 yards for another touchdown.

They finished the day 5/9 on third downs, which was impressive on its own, but they also were dominant on early downs, gashing the 49ers early and often en route to a 40-piece.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/san-fr...s-los-angeles-rams-mac-jones-matthew-stafford

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

NFC West standings: 49ers sit firmer in third place with Rams, Seahawks winning

Yeah, this is not going to be a good Monday. The San Francisco 49ers suffered their first NFC West divisional loss on Sunday to the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams are good, and the 49ers—specifically their defense—are snakebit with injuries. The loss puts the Rams into a tie with the Seahawks. The two will play in Week 11 in an important game that could have dire consequences.

As for the 49ers? There are some overreactions on the team, but the key takeaway is that they are injured, especially on defense. That means the offense has to go lights out, and even then, that might not help them in the scheme of things. The offense scored 26 points, but it was not lights out. They had their chances, but the Rams are just better, and without the defensive pieces the 49ers had in their first game against them, it’s understandable this is the result.

I’m sure everyone wants to go back and say Sean McVay is a better coach than Kyle Shanahan or something. Uh, no. The Rams got one of the best handicaps in the league this week with the 49ers’ defense as hobbled as it is. In fact, they were clawing their way back into it despite their injuries.

As for the Rams? Well…

Los Angeles Rams (7-2)​

I mean, what did you expect? The 49ers don’t have Fred Warner, Mykel Williams, and Nick Bosa. The Rams have one of the best offenses in the league. An offense that had little trouble torching the 49ers when they did have those players in their last matchup.

If you think about this level-headedly, this result should not surprise you at all. If the 49ers managed to win this, it’d be an embarrassment for the Rams, and they may as well announce Kyle Shanahan as coach of the year right then and there. Yes, the 49ers’ offense is improved, but the defense is much, much worse. The Rams had little trouble getting it to 21-0, and the 49ers had chances not to let things get out of hand. Jauan Jennings fumbling the ball is one of those things you can’t do when your talent is far less than the other team on the field. Tackling fundamentals, 12 men on the field, things like that, also won’t help.

If you missed the television broadcast, it was mostly about them praising Matthew Stafford’s career and his 400th touchdown pass. I’m not going to rehash the whole game, because I don’t think we need reminders. But I am going to say: the 49ers are fine. They lack depth, as I pointed out during the preseason. If you look at these situations, I’d say it could have been worse. I mean, it could have been the Cardinals…

Seattle Seahawks (7-2)/Arizona Cardinals (3-6)​

THAT is a team that has issues. If you thought the 49ers going into a 21-0 deficit in the first half was bad, you just needed to see the Cardinals to feel (marginally) better about it. Sam Darnold threw a touchdown pass in the first quarter to go up 7-0. On the next possession, Jacoby Brissett fumbled the ball, and the Seahawks returned it for a touchdown. So now it’s 14-0.

Seattle gets the ball back again and scores once more. It’s 21-0.

Jacoby Brissett fumbles (again) and it’s returned for a touchdown. Now it’s 28-0. Oh, we’re not out of the first half yet.

No the Seahawks got 35 points in the first half. And it wasn’t until there were 37 seconds left in the said half that Arizona finally scored a touchdown. At least the 49ers kept it within 14 points around this time in their game.

Final score: 44-22. Seahawks. I mentioned last week that Brissett might be starting more for the Cardinals, and it seems like that may still happen as the Cardinals and former starter Kyler Murray are hedging towards a separation. Murray is on IR, so they can’t go back to him after the debacle we saw today, at least until he comes off IR. I also said Brissett isn’t the answer, which means the Cardinals may draft a quarterback in 2026 or make a trade.

Anyway you slice it, after Sunday, the Cardinals may be looking for a new quarterback and maybe a new coach as well.

Onto Week 11​

The NFC West will be having all divisional games for the second week in a row. The 49ers will be traveling to face the Arizona Cardinals. I know a lot of you are going to say the 49ers should destroy the Cardinals because Seattle did. Seattle also has their defense mostly healthy, while San Francisco is getting the backups of backups ready. The 49ers do need to win this, but I doubt it’s anything like we saw the Seahawks do.

The Seahawks and Rams will face off in a crucial NFC West game. This is one of those games I don’t know who to root for, but I’m actually intrigued to watch. I never say that about other teams in the division.

The 49ers are luckily on an easier part of the schedule and don’t have to play the Rams again, only the Seahawks once more. As I’ve said, this team would benefit from playoff experience.

1st: Seattle Seahawks; Next: at Los Angeles Rams

2nd: Los Angeles Rams; Next: vs Seattle Seahawks

3rd: San Francisco 49ers; Next: at Arizona Cardinals

4th: Arizona Cardinals; Next: vs San Francisco 49ers

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/san-fr...mer-in-third-place-with-rams-seahawks-winning

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

Eagles-Packers thread: Can Green Bay bounce back after losing to the Panthers?

The Green Bay Packers are coming off an embarrassing loss against the Carolina Panthers. Those same Panthers just lost by ten points to the New Orleans Saints.

On the flip side, the Philadelphia Eagles have won two in a row, scoring 28 and 38 points respectively. Last week, Saquon Barkley came alive and ran all over the New York Giants. Those same Giants just fired their head coach.

These two teams met last season, when the Eagles won 34-29 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Both quarterbacks threw for over 250 yards in a high-flying game. The Eagles won 34-29 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Both quarterbacks threw for over 250 yards in a high-flying game. In that same game, Jayden Reed and A.J. Brown went over 100 receiving yards. Reed has been out since Week 2, while Brown has only gone over 100 yards twice this season.

It would not be a surprise to see this played at a lower scoring game, where both teams rely on big plays, but are ineffictive and inefficient overall. I think the Packers are the better team, even without Tucker Kraft, and come away victorious.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/game-d...-bay-bounce-back-after-losing-to-the-panthers

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

Golden Nuggets: Thank you to our veterans

Ricky Pearsall ready to return; more ramp-up for Brock Purdy: 49ers minutia minute (paywall)
“Shanahan said Ricky Pearsall is on track to return to practice Wednesday. Pearsall injured his knee against the Jaguars and to this point hasn’t hit his speed baselines when running on a side field.

“Hopefully the next two days go good, and if they do, then he’ll be back out there,” Shanahan said. “He had a good weekend.”

The 49ers’ defense is already out of gas … and there are 7 weeks to go (paywall)
“The 49ers’ body language conveyed exhaustion.

Linebackers Tatum Bethune and Dee Winters, both of whom were dealing with injuries during the week, were slow to get up at various points, and Bethune briefly left the game in the first quarter.

“I just had to get off the field for a quick minute,” he said afterward, “Nothing crazy. I’m good.”

Christian McCaffrey’s increasing burden shows the depleted 49ers’ reality (paywall)
“Coach Kyle Shanahan tried to take advantage of that on fourth-and-1 midway through the second quarter. The 49ers were down 21-0. Shanahan had no choice but to go for it, give his team some kind of life, so he ran a sweep left to McCaffrey.

But Rams linebacker Jared Verse broke through the line, preventing McCaffrey from turning upfield. Then, linebacker Byron Young beat his block and tackled McCaffrey for no gain. The sweep makes less sense in McCaffrey’s reality, where no space for No. 23 is the game plan.

Once upon a time, long ago, the 49ers had so many game-breakers, McCaffrey could exploit the cracks they left in a defense. Or Shanahan could use the gravity of McCaffrey to create misdirection and get the ball to another weapon.“

Why 49ers hosted ‘hell of a player’ Asante Samuel Jr. for tryout on Monday
“Coach Kyle Shanahan described the workout on Monday as a fact-finding mission for the 49ers’ personnel department. He said he did not meet Samuel nor did he watch the workout.”

Kawakami: No magic trade could’ve changed the 49ers’ 2025 destiny (paywall)
“If you want to write them off for letting Stafford and the Rams offense do whatever they wanted on Sunday on the way to a 21-0 lead, you also have to acknowledge that the 49ers’ defense has held up decently in other games, including a victory over the Rams a month ago … and won’t have to play them again in the regular season.

This is resilient team that got within a touchdown early in the third quarter on Sunday, this is a tied-together team, this is a team that still has every chance to make the playoffs.

But let’s say it without equivocation: This, by every practical measure, is currently a mediocre win-one-lose-one team, not a team that would’ve instantly turned into a Super Bowl contender if it had just added a semi-famous pass rusher at last week’s trade deadline.“

49ers vs. Rams PFF grades: Best and worst from the game, plus snap counts
“Defensive end Robert Beal Jr. earned the 49ers’ best run-defense grade (69.8). Safety Jason Pinnock earned the second-highest run-defense grade (65.6) among 49ers defenders.

The game’s lowest run-defense grade went to rookie defensive tackle CJ West (28.1), while defensive tackle Jordan Elliott wasn’t far behind with a 30.5 run-defense grade.“

Kyle Shanahan shares 49ers updates day after Week 10 loss vs. Rams
“Here’s everything he said.”

49ers game review: A very bad game for the D, especially Dee Winters (paywall)
“The mental mistakes were part of a day in which it appeared Winters was physically limited, presumably due to his knee issues. Winters was slow to rise and reach the defensive huddle after several snaps after both he and Bethune (thigh) were “extremely limited” in practice last week, according to Shanahan.

Winters had eight tackles, one behind the line of scrimmage, and two QB hits, but there was a host of plays in which he was a shadow of the early season sideline-to-sideline menace who appeared poised to capably replace Dre Greenlaw.“

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/golden...icky-pearsall-return-practice-mac-jones-purdy

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

Should the 49ers turn back to Brock Purdy in Week 11?

The San Francisco 49ers have been without starting quarterback Brock Purdy since Week 4, when he re-aggravated a toe injury sustained in the Week 1 win over the Seattle Seahawks.

In his place, backup Mac Jones has impressed, going 5-3 as the starter, while throwing for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Jones, who signed a two-year deal in the offseason, has been turnover-prone in the past. He threw double-digit interceptions in his first three years in the NFL with the New England Patriots before having eight in 10 games last year for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

But, he’s been a pleasant surprise for the 49ers, executing their offense well in place of Brock Purdy, and had another quality game this past weekend, going 33-of-39 for 319 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception in the 42-26 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan was pleased with the performance, despite the team’s disappointing result.

“It seemed like he played really well,” Shanahan said of Jones after the game. “I thought he got rid of the ball, didn’t get caught with it too much, got the ball to the right spots, and definitely gave us a chance to win.”

While he doesn’t have the rushing capability that Brock Purdy provides, Jones has been a steady presence for the 49ers at quarterback and has been lauded by his teammates for his approach and composure.

Purdy’s toe injury has been a nagging issue for the 49ers, as he has been limited in practice for the past few weeks, but has yet to suit up and play since Week 4. Earlier this month, head coach Kyle Shanahan acknowledged Purdy may not be 100 percent at any point this season when he eventually does return.

Purdy does have a chance to play in Week 11, with ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler indicating this weekend against the Arizona Cardinals is the expected return date for the quarterback.

“They’re hopeful that if it’s not this week, it will definitely be next week,” Fowler said about Purdy’s return over the weekend ahead of the Rams loss. “That’s at least the loose plan right now.”

With Purdy’s return on the horizon, the question becomes: Should the 49ers actually make a change at quarterback, given how Jones has played in recent weeks?

We’ve seen other teams, such as the Arizona Cardinals, elect to keep their starter (Kyler Murray) on the bench to get them fully healthy, while letting the backup (Jacoby Brissett) continue to roll. But, the 49ers have been steadfast that Purdy is their starter when healthy, which makes sense given the contract he was given this offseason.

With the debate sparked, Tom Brady gave his two cents, believing the 49ers should ride the hot hand with Jones.

“Listen, you’ve got to go with the hot hand. Yes, you stay with him,” Brady said about Jones.

“I’ve got to believe that’s why I’m still sitting here today because [the Patriots] went with the hot hand about 25 years ago. What do you guys expect me to say?”

With Purdy receiving the contract that he did, it’s clear he’s the starter. But, the 49ers have already gone along the path of ensuring he’s as close to fully healthy as possible, and that should remain their trajectory with Jones playing as he is.

There isn’t a reason to play Purdy unless he’s capable of being the type of quarterback that the 49ers expect out of him, which includes the scrambling ability and option of extending plays.

If he’s up to that level this weekend, then the 49ers can evaluate the quarterback change. But, until then, it doesn’t make sense to move away from Jones, who has played at a good level so far this season.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/san-fr...ck-purdy-when-healthy-mac-jones-kyle-shanahan

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

One 49ers trade is looking increasingly astute ahead of stretch run

The 49ers’ decision not to make a swing for a pass rusher on trade deadline day last week raised some eyebrows, with San Francisco unwilling to pay a premium to boost a defensive line clearly in desperate need of help.

Last Sunday’s 42-26 defeat to the Los Angeles Rams served as an illustration of why, even with the 49ers having already made an offseason trade for Bryce Huff and acquired Keion White before the deadline, many believed they needed additional help.

On the other side of the ball, the same game provided more evidence that an offseason trade made to boost offensive depth was an increasingly astute move, one that could pay significant dividends down the stretch.

After scoring his first touchdown as a 49er in the Week 9 win over the New York Giants against one of the worst run defenses in the NFL, Brian Robinson Jr. backed that effort up by finding the endzone again versus Los Angeles.

With Christian McCaffrey largely bottled up on the ground, Robinson led the 49ers in rushing, averaging 5.1 yards per carry as he put up 41 yards on just eight rush attempts.

It was a small sample size for Robinson, but in his limited role, he once again displayed the decisiveness and burst required to succeed as a running back for Kyle Shanahan and the ability to stay on his feet through contact.

As the 49ers approach the stretch run, it is the latter trait that is perhaps most appealing.

Robinson’s edge over CMC​

While McCaffrey doesn’t lack physicality, it is obvious that is one area in which Robinson has the edge over the 49ers’ starter, and the numbers bear that out.

This season, Robinson is averaging 3.55 yards after contact per attempt, ninth in the NFL among running backs with at least 40 rushes, per Pro Football Focus. That average is over a yard higher than that of McCaffrey (2.39).

McCaffrey does rank in the top 10 for missed tackles forced, with 28 on 180 rush attempts. However, Robinson already has 13 to his name despite receiving significantly fewer opportunities.

That is not to say Robinson should eat more into McCaffrey’s workload. Taking McCaffrey off the field is a risky proposition because of what he gives the 49ers in the passing game.

But Robinson offers the 49ers a level of thump that can be extremely valuable at this time of year. He is a back who can wear down defenses and have success, not just against struggling teams like the Giants, but also when facing formidable opponents like the Rams.

For a team that needs to play ball control to protect its own injury-riddled defense, that makes Robinson a substantial asset, one who could play a key role in helping the 49ers close out games in the coming weeks as they aim to secure a playoff berth.

A good problem to have​

Robinson also has importance as a player who can help keep McCaffrey fresh, and there is a strong argument that the workload should be more evenly distributed in light of the former’s success in recent weeks.

Yet given McCaffrey’s status as the focal point of the offense, the 49ers may have to get creative to give Robinson more snaps, and could perhaps look to use pony personnel with both players on the field at the same time, which would double San Francisco’s running threat while maintaining McCaffrey’s presence as a passing game weapon.

Shanahan has gone to such looks in the past and, given the 49ers’ issues at wide receiver, there’s a case to be made that 21 and 22 personnel packages featuring both McCaffrey and Robinson have increased appeal.

Figuring out how to get Robinson on the field more often is a good problem for Shanahan to have, and though there are areas of the team that are severely lacking because of injuries, the backfield is in strong shape, thanks in part to the decision to send a sixth-round pick to the Washington Commanders for his services.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/san-fr...trade-looking-increasingly-astute-stretch-run

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

49ers injury news: Brock Purdy has a ‘good chance to play’ on Sunday; Ricky Pearsall is finally healthy

The San Francisco 49ers will have Brock Purdy and Ricky Pearsall practicing in some capacity on Wednesday. Those two, along with Alfred Collins (hip) and Dee Winters (knees) will be limited during Wednesday’s session.

Shanahan said this will be an aggressive practice for Purdy, despite his status on the injury report: “We just got to put limited if it’s not exactly how he normally is.”

The plan is to rev Purdy up enough during the week so he can start this Sunday, according to Shanahan: “I think each week it’s gotten better, with last week being the best. Each week has been different. If he takes a big step forward this week, like he did last week, we should have a good chance to play.”

Shanahan said it’s not a difficult decision to start Purdy over Mac Jones. The decision to hold Purdy back has been more about Purdy’s health: “It’s been awesome how Mac’s played. He’s been great. But we got a lot of confidence in Brock, and we know that Brock will play at a high level too, as long as he’s healthy.”

Shanahan said the mounting injuries have affected the last few weeks of practice, and that should continue today. As for Pearsall, “They told me he’s healthy. I’ll get out there and see with my own eyes. I’m sure it’ll look that way. As long as he does, then he’s good to go.”

Shanahan wanted to make sure both Pearsall and Purdy were at a point where there was no possibility of setbacks. Judging by today’s words, the 49ers believe they are at that point.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/san-fr...ers-brock-purdy-ricky-pearsall-injury-updates