News 49ers Team Notes

[San Francisco 49ers]

Golden Nuggets: Let it be known… it’s Victory Monday

49ers’ Brock Purdy gets high marks vs. Browns, including for throws he didn’t attempt (paywall)
“There were also no near-interceptions for Purdy. In fact, he had seven throwaways in windy Cleveland on Sunday, the same amount he had altogether in his four previous games.

One of them came on a third-quarter bootleg that was snuffed out by Garrett. Rather than straining for a completion or trying to outrun the defensive end, Purdy sailed the ball out of bounds. That drew a critique from Garrett, who had one sack Sunday and who has a shot at setting the single-season sack record.

“He was like, ‘Come on, bro!’ and smiled at me,” Purdy said. “And I was like, ‘Sorry, bro.’ But it’s nothing but love and respect. He’s really cool. But he’s (also) a monster. So you’ve gotta be smart in certain situations like that.”

Clelin Ferrell delivers his best game yet in return engagement with 49ers (paywall)
“He added two sacks Sunday in a blowout win over the Browns. Yet two weeks earlier, he had been relegated to a healthy scratch. Vindicated much? “I wouldn’t say vindication,” Ferrell said. “I’m not owed anything from this team.”

49ers’ Brock Purdy, swagger intact, begins beatdown of Browns by barking at Myles Garrett (paywall)
“Of course, the hip-hop dance wasn’t the first sign Purdy wasn’t carrying confidence-crushing baggage after his stinker in a 20-9 win over the Panthers the previous Monday night. Backup QB Mac Jones laughed when Purdy’s back-and-forth with the carved-from-granite Garrett, 6-foot-4 and 272 pounds, was relayed.

“I guess you’ve got to really be feeling yourself if you’re doing that,” Jones said. “Yeah, when I’m out there with Myles, I’m not saying a word.”…After the 49ers’ walkthrough practice Saturday, Purdy addressed the team and discussed the “Dougie,” suggesting he was loose after his lousy prime-time performance. His excitement about the dance wasn’t exactly news: Left tackle Trent Williams said Purdy had been working on his moves during practice throughout the week.

“He called it out,” Jones said. “He had a team speech and he’s like, ‘I’m going to hit the ‘Dougie’ tomorrow when we score. And it was A-plus. Ten out of 10. I mean, he definitely practiced, but he looked good.’”

Kawakami: For the 49ers, now it’s a short sprint to the good stuff (paywall)
“So what’s possible beyond this glimmering mini vacation? The 49ers have an easy one after the bye week — a home game against the currently 1-11 Titans on Dec. 14. (The 49ers are 6-1 in the week after their bye since the start of the 2019 season.)

Then the 49ers will face the toughest stretch by far of this abnormally easy schedule. They’ll travel to Indianapolis to play the 8-4 Colts on Monday Dec. 22, host the 9-3 Bears on Dec. 28, then finish the regular season at home against the Seahawks the weekend of Jan. 3 (the game can be either Saturday or Sunday depending on league and TV directives).

Can the 49ers go 3-1 to the finish line and get to 12-5 and essentially clinch a wild-card spot? Can they go 4-0 and be in play for the NFC’s No. 1 seed at 13-4? It’s possible. I don’t think that last one is likely, but stranger things have happened.“

The 49ers avoided a trap with a smart Brock Purdy game and special teams masterclass
“I thought Brock Purdy overwhelmingly made the right decision. The All-22 could tell a different story, but he threw the ball away at smart times when he sometimes doesn’t. He made sharp throws. He bought time and avoided sacks, but didn’t get too greedy. It was an excellent day.

The other offensive contributors shouldn’t be ignored. George Kittle had crucial catches and blocks, and while the run game wasn’t efficient, it churned. It was a 2.8-yard-per-carry performance on 33 attempts, and what that means in a game like Sunday’s, is time. The 49ers churned clock.“

Blissfully arrogant 49ers brimming with confidence as bye week finally arrives (paywall)
“Fellow rookie Upton Stout was also a standout Sunday. The undersized cornerback delivered big hits in run defense while also playing tight coverage. The 49ers allowed only 49 yards rushing in the second half after giving up 89 in the first half, thanks to some heavier fronts and stunts.

McCaffrey said he enjoyed watching the defense in the second half and the team dynamic as a whole right now.

“I love our character, I love our urgency and I like where we’re at,” he said.

Where they’re at is in the playoffs if the season ended today (which it doesn’t). The players will have to show up at the facility for a couple of days before getting the rest of the week off. A well-deserved break.“

Resilient 49ers ready for bye after winning three straight
“Looking from the outside in, if people would’ve said, ‘Hey, you guys are going to be 9-4 going into the bye and you’re not going to have Fred Warner and Nick Bosa and Kittle is going to miss the first five weeks and Brock’s going to miss six, seven games, I think a lot of people would have laughed,” Kittle said. “Kudos to our coaching staff, coach [Kyle] Shanahan and [general manager John] Lynch for bringing in the right guys to fill in those spots and developing players to take advantage of those situations.”

Going into the Sunday night game, the 49ers have a game and a half lead on the Detroit Lions for the seventh and final spot in the NFC playoffs. Sunday’s win, paired with the Los Angeles Rams’ loss to the Carolina Panthers, also pulled the Niners back within a game of the Rams in the NFC West division.

What’s more, the 49ers have done most of their damage against opponents in the division (a 4-1 mark) and the conference (8-2), giving them a leg up in many of the primary tiebreakers down the stretch.“

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/san-fr...rock-purdy-kittle-myles-garrett-shelby-harris

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

49ers will no longer rotate left guards after recent injury

The San Francisco 49ers planned to continue their rotation at left guard on Sunday, but Ben Bartch ended up leaving with a foot injury. He lasted 21 snaps.

According to head coach Kyle Shanahan, Bartch suffered a foot sprain that will require surgery and land Bartch on the Injured Reserve. Bartch might have a Lisfranc injury. He will be further evaluated, but his season is done, even if the 49ers make a run in the playoffs.

It’s the second consecutive season Bartch has sustained a season-ending injury. It’s a good thing the team continued to rotate Spencer Burford, who will now get every rep. Had they gone back to Bartch, it would mean Burford would need to get reps for the first time in the most critical stretch of the season.

Rookie linebacker Nick Martin is in the concussion protocol. Linebacker Tatum Behune has a chance to return after the bye week: “That might be a little fast, but he’s got a chance,” Shanahan said.

Fullback Kyle Juszczyk has a fractured rib. He will be evaluated after the bye week.

Shanahan thinks kicker Eddy Pineiro could return in Week 15 after missing the previous two games with a hamstring injury. Shanahan is hopeful edge rusher Yetur Gross-Matos and linebacker Sam Okuayinonu are also back after the bye, with YGM having a “good” chance.

The 49ers worked out the following players:
WR Javon Baker
WR Cole Burgess
WR Kobe Hudson
QB Taylor Elgersma
TE Tanner McLachlan

Either Skyy Moore’s effectiveness as a returner made Junior Bergen expendable, or there was an injury at wide receiver. We’ll see if it’s either of those or another reason for working out multiple wide receivers.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/san-fr...tch-spencer-burford-kyle-juszczyk-nick-martin

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

Golden Nuggets: Welcome to December football

Kyle Juszczyk, Ben Bartch sustain significant injuries in 49ers’ win vs. Browns
“Bartch sustained a likely Lisfranc foot injury and will require surgery, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said on Monday. Bartch is expected to be placed on injured reserve.”

49ers vs. Browns PFF grades: Best and worst from the game, plus snap counts
“Linebacker Dee Winters also earned the 49ers’ highest coverage grade (76.2), allowing just three receptions for eight yards. Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir trailed closely with a 76.0 coverage grade, allowing one catch for seven yards.“

Kyle Shanahan details how wind affected his decisions in 49ers’ win vs. Browns
“The 49ers always choose to defer when winning the opening coin toss, so they have a chance to possess the ball on back-to-back possessions at the end of the second quarter and beginning of the third.

But on Sunday, Shanahan opted to receive the opening kickoff after winning the coin toss. That way, the 49ers could determine which direction they would be heading in the fourth quarter to take advantage of the wind.

“I wanted a chance to choose to have the wind at our back in the fourth quarter,” Shanahan said, “and that was the only way to get that done.”

Shanahan said he made that decision only because of the unique weather conditions, which consisted of 20 mph winds with gusts of 35 mph or greater.“

Kyle Shanahan shares 49ers updates day after Week 13 win vs. Browns
“….I love how Jauan plays. I think Jauan plays to the whistle as well as any player in this league. He’s extremely aggressive and plays as hard as he can to the whistle and he’s been doing that, as Niner fans know and you guys know, since he’s been here. I think sometimes that offends other players and rubs people the wrong way because they’re not used to people going that hard to the whistle. But I think what J.J. is very good at is not breaking rules. It’s just like at Arizona last year when he went to the whistle so hard it offended some of their corners, and they started throwing punches, and unfortunately, J.J. got kicked out too. But not because he didn’t throw a punch or anything. I think J.J.’s been really good at not breaking rules that way, and he gets other guys to break them a lot on him.”

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/san-fr...leveland-browns-jauan-snap-counts-brock-purdy

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

Laken Tomlinson was waived; should the 49ers put in a claim after Ben Bartch’s recent injury?

The Houston Texans waived veteran offensive lineman Laken Tomlinson, who will now go on waivers. Tomlinson would have to make it to the San Francisco 49ers, which is very well possible.

It’s always fascinating to see how a team that watched Tomlinson play the year prior talks about him compared to the team that might get him. Texans fans rejoiced on Twitter after no longer having Tomlinson on the roster. Tomlinson, now 33, was starting for Houston as recently as Week 9. He had been a healthy scratch since.

Tomlinson, one of the nicest and most professional people in the industry, is not the same player 49ers fans remember from 2021. At this stage in his career, Tomlinson has to “tip” what’s going on, so he can give himself a head start:

Always get neat insight on players being mic’d up.

Ernest Jones here describing how “heavy as f***” Texans (and former Seahawks OG) Laken Tomlinson is in stance before runs and how it tips him off pre-snap about the play type. pic.twitter.com/KmqmMmem0R

— Carter Donnick (@CDonnick1) October 24, 2025

Seattle did not bring Tomlinson back after starting 17 games last season. Texans fans, with the ability of hindsight, of course, can’t comprehend how Tomlinson was starting as recently as November.

Still, he’s a veteran, and the 49ers don’t have that behind Spencer Burford now that Ben Bartch is out for the season. The other interior options on the roster are Connor Colby and Nick Zakelj. Could the 49ers be tempted to bring Tomlinson back? Sure.

However, the eye test and his stats suggest the tank is empty for Tomlinson. Per Sports Info Solutions, Tomlinson’s blown block rate is 4.1 percent in pass protection and 6.6 percent as a run blocker — the fifth-worst among all offensive linemen in the NFL.

The familiarity is there, but it would be a lateral move with limited upside, unless Shanahan and the front office value Tomlinson’s intangibles and experience, which very well could be enough to give him the edge over Burford. Left guard has been a revolving door for the 49ers all season. One thing Tomlinson always brought to the table was stability.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/san-fr...ns-laken-tomlinson-ben-bartch-spencer-burford

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

Golden Nuggets: We’re on to… the bye week?

49ers minutia minute: Clelin Ferrell’s big game included career high in tackles (paywall)
“Robinson reached 19.66 mph on his 6-yard end-around carry, making him the team’s fastest ball carrier on Sunday and its second fastest ball carrier this season (Skyy Moore hit 19.7 mph on a Week 11 kickoff return). We’re still waiting for a 49ers ball carrier to crack the 20 mph mark.”

49ers overreactions: Has adversity shaped team into legit playoff contender?
“The 49ers missed 15 tackles, according to PFF, and 106 of Cleveland’s 138 rushing yards came after contact. Yet, when the 49ers needed a big stop, they came through.”

49ers’ John Lynch casts doubt on Brandon Aiyuk’s return this season
“Realistic? I’m not sure,” Lynch said. “Hopeful? Yeah. So, I think that’s kind of where I’d leave that. He continues to rehab, and hopefully, that’s, like I’ve always said, we’re a better football team when Brandon’s out there, and I hope that’s the case.

“But I think that’s probably what it is—is hope right now. And I wish it were a little bit more than that.”

Week 13 Mini Grades and Takeaways: Who cooked against the Browns (paywall)
“Upton Stout is coming along. He made a series of really impressive tackles on Sunday. It feels like they pared back his usage by employing more big nickel, and the game seems like it’s slowed down for him.

I’m still not sold on the coverage abilities of the 49ers’ safeties. Let’s be abundantly clear: Ji’Ayir Brown has been playing his ass off. Malik Mustapha was in pure human missile form this week. I really liked what I saw. But this team hasn’t been challenged deep, and there were two occasions where Brown and Mustapha got beat, but weren’t punished. That was largely due to the weather and/or Shedeur Sanders. Until I see them perform well against a team that threatens them deep, I’ll be dubious….CJ West is difficult to move. West was phenomenal in the run game this week. And by phenomenal, I mean steady. As in, an obelisk. He got destroyed once, when he was displaced about 15 yards down field, and I think he’s extremely susceptible when attacked laterally, at his hip. But Kalia Davis is all boom or bust, and the steadiness I saw from West to simply remain, and then rip against double teams was fantastic to watch. That’s proper big fella football.“https://hutchreport.substack.com/p/week-13-mini-grades-and-takeaways
https://www.nbcsportsbayarea.com/nf...-purdy-kyle-shanahan-overreactions-2/1896012/

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/san-fr...uk-john-lynch-brock-purdy-injury-return-trade

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

Ranking the 49ers last 4 games by importance

The San Francisco 49ers are heading into their late Week 14 bye week after a 26-8 win over the Cleveland Browns this past weekend, which improved their record to 9-4.

That put them just a half-game back of both the NFC West and the No. 1 seed in the NFC with five weeks left. With the bye week finally here, the 49ers will look to get healthy before a crucial last stretch of the season.

After the bye, the 49ers face the Tennessee Titans at home before traveling to face the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Then, they finish the year with back-to-back home contests against the Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks.

Three of those four teams are firmly in the playoff race. One is the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Another is right with San Francisco in the NFC West battle.

With a playoff berth on the line, let’s rank the last four games by importance for the 49ers.

No. 4: Week 16 @ Indianapolis

This is a game between potential playoff teams. But, when it comes to playoff tiebreakers and things of that sort, a game versus an AFC team doesn’t matter as much as facing potential NFC contenders.

This one is also on the road, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if the 49ers were underdogs, even with Indianapolis’s current slide. They also get one extra day to prepare for it, with this one being a Monday Night Football game.

Yes, it would certainly be good to win this one, as 11 wins should lock the 49ers into a playoff spot. But, of the four games, it’s the least important.

No. 3: Week 17 vs. Chicago

This might be a surprise, but I’m putting the Bears game as third on the list. Yes, Chicago is the No. 1 seed in the NFC, and they very well could be fighting with San Francisco for a playoff spot, so that head-to-head would be important.

But, 10 or 11 games should get the 49ers in the playoffs. And, outside of the 49ers, the Bears have quite a rough schedule. They face the Packers twice, the Lions, and the Browns in addition to San Francisco. That’s why the 49ers have a higher chance to make the playoffs currently, despite Chicago being the No. 1 seed in the conference at 9-3.

The Bears and their opponents could very well make up the entire playoff picture in the NFC. But, while this game is important (all are at this stage) and would very much be beneficial, it doesn’t crack the top two on this list.

No. 2: Week 15 vs. Tennessee

This might be a surprise to have the Tennessee game at No. 2.

But, to me, this one is an absolute must-win. Being at 10-4 with three games to go in a packed NFC playoff race is the perfect position to be if you’re the 49ers.

If they somehow drop a game to the 1-11 Titans, they’d be in a much different place at 9-5, where those tiebreakers against Seattle and Chicago could really make or break a playoff berth.

Of the four, this is the likeliest win for the 49ers. And it’s nearly the most important, given the difference between this one and other games.

No. 1: Week 18 vs. Seattle

This is an obvious one. It’s a rivalry game in the division with tiebreakers and playoff implications almost surely around it.

The 49ers have already beaten the Seahawks once this year. Throughout the year, both teams have changed. The 49ers have seen some big injuries, while Seattle has really emerged as one of the best teams in the NFL.

That one could determine playoff seeding in the NFC with Seattle currently at 9-3 and the 49ers at 9-4. It may even be a difference-maker for the NFC West if Los Angeles, standing at 9-3, has another unexpected loss.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/san-fr...ant-games-left-seattle-seahawks-kyle-shanahan

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

49ers GM John Lynch on the NFC playoffs: ‘It’s anyone’s championship out there’

The San Francisco 49ers are 9-4 with a bye week in Week 14. During an interview on KNBR, general manager John Lynch said he called the Baltimore Ravens, who have had a Week 14 bye multiple times in previous years, to gauge how they felt about having one so late in the season. Lynch said they loved it because they were a healthy team, and it allowed the Ravens to get a fresh start going into December.

As head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Monday, the bye week will allow the Niners to get back their kicker, a rotational defensive lineman, and maybe even Sam Okauyinonu and Tatum Bethune without missing another game. Kyle Juszczyk has a fractured rib but might not miss a game.

The bye allows the 49ers to take a step back and entertain the idea of how far the 49ers can go this season, according to Lynch:

The bye does give you some time to look at the big picture, and you guys are right. Who would have thought, after we played Carolina, that they’d go beat the Rams? Well, they did. I think what it shows is, this year it’s anyone’s championship out there. I think it’s going to come down to who can have some good fortune, in terms of being healthy at the right time.

But are you getting better each week? And that’s one thing that I’m really proud of our team, and I think Kyle has done an incredible job leading us. We’re finding a way in each phase to get a little bit better each week. Regardless of what’s happening in terms of injuries and whatnot, we’re focused on, can we get a little bit better each week?

And when you do that, we’ve got enough in our locker room, I believe, to contend. I love the position we’re at, because I don’t think anyone can say, ‘This is the team to beat right now.’ There are a lot of teams in that mix.

We’ve gone through all kinds of playoff scenarios and the 49ers’ current postseason probabilities. Barring a loss to the Titans, it looks like San Francisco will get into the tournament. Once you’re in, anything goes.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/san-fr...c-playoffs-its-anyones-championship-out-there

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

Golden Nuggets: Rooting for a tie tonight

49ers great Roger Craig named 2026 Hall of Fame finalist
“The former NFL running back was named one of five finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026, joining senior finalists Ken Anderson and L.C. Greenwood, coach finalist Bill Belichick, and contributor finalist Robert Kraft.

To earn induction, Craig must secure at least 80% approval from the Hall of Fame selection committee. Each voter may choose only three of the five finalists, and a maximum of three individuals from this group can be enshrined alongside the modern-era inductees in 2026.“

Barrows: 49ers mailbag: Looking ahead to Fred Warner’s possible return, free agency and the draft (paywall)
“I spoke with Cowing about three weeks ago, and he said he was close to full speed/full health at that point. The problem is there’s no room for him on the roster at the moment. The 49ers already are making rookie Jordan Watkins a healthy scratch on game days.

The risk of opening Cowing’s window coming out of the bye would be that they’d have to activate him within 21 days or put him on the shelf for good. It might be wiser to wait and see if there are any more injuries at wide receiver and open the window at that point.“

Kawakami: The tedious 49ers QB discourse, Stanford/Cal hires, and more bold thoughts (paywall)
“The most tedious part of the Purdy-must-go bellowing from the fan base and many others once or twice a year is not that it can be proved wrong so frequently and clearly, it’s that Purdy is never, ever getting benched while he’s in his prime. Not while Kyle Shanahan calls the shots and not if logic prevails in the 49ers’ offices and locker room. Which it does.

You are free to carp about Jones being better than Purdy, or whatever, but that ignores the fact that Shanahan and his staff know slightly more about quarterbacking — and what they want from their QB — than the average angry fan and blogger.

Maybe even more important: It ignores that Shanahan is tougher on his QBs than everybody else. It’s not like he’s ever resembled Jim Tomsula bumbling through the Colin Kaepernick/Blaine Gabbert mess in 2015 or Arizona’s indecision on Kyler Murray for years, or everything that has happened with the Cleveland QBs for decades.

Shanahan was always evaluating Jimmy Garoppolo — even during great seasons — pulled the plug on Trey Lance after trading first-round picks to acquire him, and early in this era, ejected from Brian Hoyer and C.J. Beathard just about exactly when he had to.

They’ve made some personnel mistakes over the years, but there is zero history of Shanahan and John Lynch staying with players — especially QBs — who aren’t performing well while somebody better sits and waits.

I am not trying to diminish what Jones accomplished in his eight games. There might not be a QB2 in this league that could’ve won five games in that situation. But also, Jones had Christian McCaffrey at full steam in those games (as Purdy has now), and that does make a difference.“

Four years and an ACL rehab later, 49ers’ Curtis Robinson savors first starting job (paywall)
“It was the first major injury of his football career. For months, he would be unable to walk without assistance. So he hopped his way around the house, crutches be damned, until that day came. Curtis Robinson was done waiting.

“It’s hard to be encouraged when certain things that used to be remedial to you are now extremely difficult to the point where you’re sweating because they’re so hard,” Robinson told the Chronicle.

He bided his time for years. No NFL team drafted the Stanford alum in 2021, an early victim of roster Tetris. The Broncos signed, waived and elevated him a few times his rookie season, then left him for the next practice squad in need. A spot opened up closer to home….An otherwise lonely process was curbed by those teammates who watched him fight for every game check. All-Pro defensive end Nick Bosa had dealt with the same injury multiple times. The same surgeon who handled his season-ending surgery in 2020 operated on Robinson in 2024. Bosa offered advice. Robinson listened to the 2022 AP Defensive Player of the Year, hopeful that he, too, could come back better from a historically devastating injury.

No more or less than 423 days after he injured his knee, on Nov. 24 against Carolina, the fifth-year player made his first NFL start. And the challenge was greater this time.

Shanahan in 2024 had him slated to leapfrog former 49ers linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles at the “Sam” (strong-side) position, primarily a rotational spot that plays considerably less than the “Mike” (middle) and “Will” (weak-side) roles. In recent weeks, Robinson has been thrown in at Mike, where he had served as a third-string reserve behind Warner, out for the season with a fractured ankle, and Tatum Bethune, due to miss several weeks via a high ankle sprain. He played the position at Stanford but never wore a green dot, installed into the helmet of one player, typically the Mike on defense, to relay play calls from the coordinator up in the booth.“

Browns trade up to No. 1, Raiders take Dante Moore in 2026 NFL mock draft (paywall)
“Makai Lemon, WR, USC. If Lemon is still on the board when the 49ers go on the clock, I don’t think Kyle Shanahan would be able to pass on him.

What Lemon (5-11, 195) lacks in size, he makes up for with his manipulative route running and competitive finishing skills at the catch point. Get ready for the Amon-Ra St. Brown comparisons.“

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/san-fr...ner-ankle-recovery-jauan-jennings-brock-purdy

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

Golden Nuggets: Time to scout college receivers

49ers’ 9-4 start in review: MVPs, best and worst moves, reasons to hope (or not) (paywall)
“They are 5-2 since Warner was hurt.

Their wins were against teams outside the current playoff picture who lost with either a rookie QB (Sanders, the Giants’ Jaxson Dart), a second-year QB (Atlanta’s Michael Penix Jr.) an embattled third-year QB (Carolina’s Bryce Young) or a journeyman backup QB (Arizona’s Jacoby Brissett).

Their losses, by an average of 13.5 points, were against teams with a winning record who employ Pro Bowl QBs (Stafford, Houston’s C.J. Stroud).

There are no last-place schedules in the playoffs.“

49ers’ Robert Saleh shares candid thoughts on coaching future
“Most of us—I don’t know if every coach does—but we all want to get to the top of our profession,” Saleh told Anderson.“

NFL insider links 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk to Commanders
“”One team to potentially watch for Aiyuk is Washington,” Fowler shared. “He is close with quarterback Jayden Daniels, his former teammate at Arizona State. And general manager Adam Peters — a John Lynch disciple from his time in San Francisco — understands the Aiyuk experience well”… “One common trait the Niners look for in wide receiver prospects is the ability to pick up yards after the catch,” Reid wrote. “And that means KC Concepcion (Texas A&M) and Chris Bell (Louisville) would be two realistic options at the back end of Round 1 — the 49ers are projected to pick No. 28, per ESPN’s Football Power Index — and both would make a lot of sense. Concepcion has 423 yards after the catch this season, while Bell has 378.”

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/san-fr...de-free-agent-signing-john-lynch-saleh-future

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

49ers’ pass rush is finding some form at exactly the right time

Whisper it quietly, but in recent weeks there have been clear signs the 49er defense is improving as the regular season approaches its business end.

Indeed, the 49ers rank seventh in EPA per play on defense over the last three weeks as they have reeled off a hat-trick of wins to move to 9-4. While EPA as a metric does not encompass a unit’s entire performance — it is most closely linked to how often an offense or defense creates or prevents explosive plays — the fact the 49ers rank so highly over the last three weeks in a category in which they are 24th for the season as a whole is indicative of a marked improvement from Robert Saleh’s group.

Of course, some of the strides can be tied to the opponents faced. The Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns aren’t blessed with high-powered offenses, though the Rams may beg to differ in the case of Carolina, and San Francisco has taken advantage of favorable matchups in that sense.

But it would be unfair to discount the progress that has been made. It’s no surprise that Deommodore Lenoir has once again played at a very high level at corner, but Renardo Green’s success in avoiding a sophomore slump and the increasingly strong play from Malik Mustapha and Ji’Ayir Brown at safety have each helped the secondary a much greater air of reliability.

The improvements made in the secondary have greatly aided those playing in front of them, and a defensive line that has for so long been anaemic in sack production since the season-ending injury to Nick Bosa has shown signs of life as a pass-rushing force.

San Francisco still has the worst pressure rate in the NFL, 14.4%, per Pro Football Reference, but the 49ers’ three sacks in the Week 13 win over the Cleveland Browns were the most they have had in a game since Week 2, when Bosa was still healthy.

Shedeur Sanders’ average time to throw of 3.2 seconds (per Sumer Sports) was clearly a contributing factor in the 49ers’ success in getting home against him. A rookie quarterback who struggled with decisiveness in college going against an improving secondary in difficult conditions is a combination always likely to lead to a profitable afternoon for a pass rush. However, there have been enough encouraging signs from the 49ers’ defensive linemen to indicate they could continue to produce down the stretch and into the postseason.

New additions hitting their stride​

The 49ers are not going to be as good as they would be if Bosa were available but, by adding Clelin Ferrell and Keion White, they have removed some of the burden from Bryce Huff and added depth to the pass rush rotation.

Ferrell’s two sack performance against the Browns took him to four in as many games since rejoining the 49ers, while White has looked more at home with each week following his trade from the New England Patriots. White, per NextGen Stats, posted a pressure rate of 28.6% in Week 13, the second-highest of his career.

Former Patriots DE Keion White generated his second-highest pressure rate (28.6%) of his career, per @NextGenStats pic.twitter.com/JQgmQm9UmB

— Henry McKenna (@henrycmckenna) November 30, 2025

Though the 49ers have made no secret of their satisfaction with the all-round game of second-round rookie to Alfred Collins to this point, it is clear it is on the interior where their pass rush is most lacking, despite some impressive showings from Kalia Davis.

Yet, with their depth seemingly set to grow even stronger after the bye week, there is reason for optimism the 49ers can have a more impactful interior rush in the coming weeks.

The Niners are hopeful they will get both Yetur Gross-Matos (hamstring) and Sam Okuyainonu (ankle) back after the bye.

Okuayinonu has been one of the 49ers’ most dependable rushers since Bosa went down, his pass rush win rate of 11%, per Pro Football Focus, topped only by Huff (16,7%) among healthy San Francisco edge rushers. Both he and Gross-Matos have the ability to rush inside and out, though it is the latter who has shown tremendous promise in that area in limited action.

The fact Gross-Matos’ win rate of 23.4% still ranks first among all interior rushers will make him being limited to just five games because of injury even more frustrating. However, that number illustrates the impact Gross-Matos could have in jump-starting the 49ers’ interior pass rush, at least on true passing downs, when he does get back on the field.

A variety of pass-rush avenues​

Huff, Ferrell, White, Okuayinonu and Gross-Matos is not the most formidable stable of pass rushers, but it is one that would give the 49ers several different means through which to create pressure.

In years gone by the 49ers have won up front through having the depth to be able to throw waves of pass rushers at opponents. The quintet they may have after the bye has a high enough floor for the Niners to be able to employ a similar tactic, while the positional versatility of their pass rushers gives Saleh and defensive line coach Kris Kocurek greater scope to create mismatches by mixing up alignments and employing a variety of stunts.

Perhaps most pertinently, the prospective return of Gross-Matos should provide the 49ers with a more potent NASCAR package for use on third down, decreasing the burden on the defensive tackles to step up in true passing situations.

The 49er pass rush is a long way from where it wants to be, and the reality is that will likely take more clever play-calling from Saleh to get the most from the San Francisco defensive front for the remainder of the season. Still, between the positive signs in recent weeks and the players set to return to the fray, the 49ers can afford to have hope their pass rush can get close to its Bosa-less ceiling at the ideal point in the calendar.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/san-fr...ers-pass-rush-finding-form-exactly-right-time

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

The 49ers defense is an anomaly

The San Francisco 49ers have gotten off to a 9-4 record as they approach the bye week, pulling off three consecutive victories to get within a half-game of the NFC West lead.

It’s been a weird year in San Francisco. They’ve dealt with serious injuries to top starters, resurrected another quarterback’s career, and have still started out as one of the NFL’s best teams in a crowded NFC.

Defensively, the 49ers have managed without stars Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, which has forced defensive coordinator Robert Saleh to figure out how to balance game plans with a struggling pass rush.

The 49ers defense has definitely been weird this year when you look at the numbers. They’re 20th in yards allowed per game (335.8). They’re 22nd in yards per play. So they allow teams to drive. They don’t get much pressure (dead last in sack rate). They’re slightly above average/middle-of-the-pack against the run (12th in rush yards allowed, 14th in yards per carry allowed), though it’s popped up as a problem in some games. They’re also 25th against the pass.

Usually, when teams give up a ton of yards but are still a quality enough defense, they’re good in the red zone. But the 49ers are still middle-of-the-pack there. They’re 15th in red zone attempts per game (3.2). They’re 16th in red zone touchdown rate (56.1 percent). So, teams score on them at an average rate.

But, the 49ers are the eighth-best scoring defense in the NFL, allowing just 20.7 points per game. So, where is the success coming from?

Well, a part of it is luck. San Francisco’s opponents have the second-worst field goal rate in the NFL (66.7 percent). The other part of it is a much-improved special teams unit.

Through the first 12 games of the season, the 49ers were the No. 2 team in special teams EPA per play, according to ESPN’s Nick Wagoner, far better than their last place through that stretch in 2024.

But, a ton of that was success on the offensive side of the ball. The team ranks 28th in opponent average field position after a kickoff and 29th in opponent average punt returns. It’s an anomaly.

The other part is discipline. The 49ers are the second-least penalized team in the NFL after being in the middle of the pack in 2024.

Still, it’s not like the 49ers are stopping teams at an elite rate on third downs. They rank 18th in the NFL in opponent third-down conversion rate, although that is at a 38.5 percent clip. Teams also get first downs at a good rate against San Francisco, which ranks 20th in the NFL in that category as well.

They also don’t take the ball away, ranking 22nd in the NFL with just 1.1 per game.

That tells me that San Francisco has a knack for just making plays in big moments that take away points in big swings, which we’ve seen several times this season. How sustainable is that? I’m not sure, but the 49ers have been winning games by doing just enough defensively. We’ll see how that fares over the final three games of the year against potential playoff teams.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/san-fr...is-an-anomaly-fred-warner-return-robert-saleh

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

Golden Nuggets: December byes are a trip

Records, draft picks, playoffs: What’s at stake for 49ers over the final four games (paywall)
“Bryce Huff is tied with fellow defensive end Clelin Ferrell for the team sack lead with four, which is an interesting number with four games to play. If Huff reaches eight sacks, the fifth-round pick the 49ers sent to Philadelphia in the trade for Huff becomes a fourth-round pick.

The 49ers should root for him to hit that mark, and not only because it would benefit the defense. As it stands now, the 49ers have no fifth-round picks, which has been their magic round since Shanahan and John Lynch arrived in 2017.“

49ers’ kick return game reaching new heights with Skyy Moore (paywall)
“He’s getting a lot of heat from our guys for not capping ’em off with touchdowns. He got to the 2 (in Arizona), and on that punt return, he got tracked down by a tight end,” Lynch said. “But he’s infused a huge boost into our special teams … He’s been awesome.”

Shanahan said that Moore has been “getting better and better” every week, and Moore credits his teammates.

“All season, I felt like we were one block away or one something away — like I might have missed a hole that would have been an (opportunity),” Moore said.

He also credits first-year special teams coach Brant Boyer, as did Lynch and Shanahan.

“It’s been blocked up exactly the way we want it to be,” Moore said.“

49ers great Steve Young doesn’t mince words on ‘terrible’ Brandon Aiyuk drama
“When asked whether Aiyuk has played his last snap in a 49ers uniform, Young responded, “It feels like it’s up to Brandon. It feels like he’s decided that it’s broken and has moved on. But I think, football, it’s an emotional game, and relationships mend, and people change their ways, and they see new potential where they saw no potential before….I might be wrong that it’s Brandon’s choice,” Young continued, “but I’ve got to believe that with his talent, and what he gave, particularly to Brock … Brandon was that guy that was open quickly, deep, out on the fringes, and outside, where things could really cause defenses grief, and it’s a huge loss.

“And it’s terrible that this has happened the way it has. And if he’s healthy and ready to go, I’d love [to] invite Brandon Aiyuk back. Like, ‘Bro, come on, man. Fix whatever’s wrong, bury whatever it is, and let’s go do this.'”

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/san-fr...st-fred-warner-ankle-return-lynch-aiyuk-trade

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

John Lynch says Fred Warner is doing everything he can to return at some point this season: ‘Fred is going to push the limits’

The San Francisco 49ers added Eric Kendricks to the practice squad, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he ended up being the starting MIKE linebacker in the playoffs. Tatum Bethune has been incredible relative to expectations, but this coaching staff has relied heavily on experience. It wouldn’t be surprising to see both players contribute in some capacity.

Fred Warner, who sustained a dislocated ankle on October 12, was expected to miss the rest of the 2025 season, including the playoffs. According to 49ers general manager John Lynch, there’s an outside chance the Niners won’t need Kendricks or Bethune:

“Well, medically, no, I mean, the docs say it’s probably on the wrong side of the range that they would suggest. But even the docs with Fred say, ‘You know what, let him rehab as if he’s coming back for something and we’ll see where he’s at.” “And so we’ll follow the orders of the doctors. They’ll control this, but Fred is going to push the limits, and he is doing everything possible. He lives in a hyperbaric chamber [for] two, three hours a day. He’s here all the time. He’s unbelievable, this guy. It’s what made him who he is.”

That’s an excerpt from an interview with NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco.

The timeline varies based on ligament damage, whether fractures were involved, and the physical demands of return. It’s worth noting that, as with any injury, any athlete rushing tissue repair does not come without risk. In Warner’s case, his return could be anywhere from 10 to 16 weeks, with the latter more likely. The window is wide because every athlete is different, and not all dislocations are equal.

Warner had surgery on the Monday after, on October 13. The earliest date of return, that 10-week mark, is December 22. To be safe, 16 weeks out is February 2, the week after the NFC Championship game. Again, a wide range of outcomes, with so many moving parts and uncertainties, makes it difficult to say when, or if, Warner could come back.

The better the 49ers do in the postseason, the more likely they’ll get their All-Pro linebacker back. It’s also important to note that not all athletes heal the same way. There are plenty of examples across multiple teams of players returning earlier than expected. Pro athletes are not rehabbing like your day-to-day person because there are bigger stakes at hand. We’re also talking about a unique athlete with zero injury history and a drive that would seem foolish to doubt.

Anything can happen. This season has been full of unexpected turns. Warner’s return would fall in line with the rollercoaster of the 49ers’ season.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/san-fr...2/49ers-john-lynch-fred-warner-playoff-return

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

Texans vs. Chiefs game thread: DeMeco Ryans looks to slow down Patrick Mahomes

After an eventful Sunday, the AFC will finish things off with a matchup between one team wildly underperforming this season and another overachieving, all things considered.

C.J. Stroud will play his second consecutive road game, which is a tall task for anybody. It becomes much tougher when you travel to Arrowhead Stadium. He’ll face a Kansas City Chiefs defense that has had a long layoff after losing to the Dallas Cowboys. Stroud is an obvious upgrade from Davis Mills, but the Chiefs going from the Bills, Broncos, Colts, and Cowboys to the Texans is going to feel like a breath of fresh air.

The Texans’ defense is the best in the NFL. Will Anderson, Jalen Pitre, and Derek Stingley make it tough to move the ball. Patrick Mahomes will have his hands full.

The Chiefs have won the last two meetings by nine and eight points. I think this game will look a lot like that, with the Chiefs keeping Houston’s offense at bay, and the defense doing everything they can to keep their offense in the game, but it not being enough.

Both teams are on the outside looking in of the AFC Playoff picture, ranked eighth and ninth, respectively.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/san-fr...meco-ryans-looks-to-slow-down-patrick-mahomes

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

NFC West Standings: 49ers stay in third place with no help from Rams, Seahawks winning

So, the San Francisco 49ers had a bye. Regardless of what happened, their playoff positioning would improve. How better? Well, just one spot thanks to the Chicago Bears/Green Bay Packers game. Beyond that, nothing much. And since the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks both won, and looked good doing it.

The 49ers will return from the bye down a game in the standings and facing what should be a simple opponent. Meanwhile, the Rams and Seahawks will both have games that could result in losses. At least, I would say that if the Colts’ starting quarterback wasn’t knocked out for the season. We’ll get to that.

Los Angeles Rams (10-3)/Arizona Cardinals (3-10)​

The Cardinals forgot they were the Cardinals for most of the first quarter, getting a 7-0 lead quickly. After that, they remembered who they were, and the Rams proceeded to shove the ball down their collective throats.

The Cardinals managed a single field goal in the second quarter, and that was it for their offense until garbage time rolled around. The Rams, on the other hand, had only one quarter in which they did not score in double digits.

In other words, this was an absolute beatdown. Matthew Stafford had three touchdowns in a day, completing 70 percent of his passes. He had three touchdowns, two to Puka Nacua and one to Colby Parkinson.

The Rams’ rushing attack was as much of a contributor; running back Blake Corum averaged 10.7 yards per carry on 12 carries for 128 yards. Most of which came from this scamper.

Home run hitter @blake_corum #ProBlue | NFL+ https://t.co/8YFKbq32K6 pic.twitter.com/qZwM02hKB8

— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) December 7, 2025

The Cardinals can play the 49ers hard, sometimes. They can’t play the Rams with near the effort, apparently. Final score: 45-17

Seattle Seahawks (10-3)​

The Seahawks did something similar to what the Rams did in their game against the Atlanta Falcons, but they decided to play with our emotions early on. The entire first half saw two field goals for each team. The second one for Seattle came at the end of the first half.

So for one half of football, there was a very slim possibility the Falcons could maybe pull this one out against all odds. They even notched an interception. Sure, the field goal on that series was blocked, but it looked like they had a chance.

Of course, the third quarter began. That’s when this happened:

Rashid Shaheed can fly. That trade paying off for the #Seahawks.
pic.twitter.com/IuQE5Gp4gL

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 7, 2025

And that’s the point, you start wondering what cheesy Christmas movie is on TV. In the next series, the Falcons fumble, and the Seahawks score another touchdown. Once you get to the fourth quarter, you probably wouldn’t believe how close this was in the first half.

The Falcons only managed a third field goal before the game ended. Final score 37-9. That is a much, much different second half. Fumbles, two interceptions, Atlanta just fell apart once they came back from the locker room.

Regardless, this puts the Seahawks and Rams at 10 wins apiece. It also has little difference in NFC West standings. Could the Rams lose that spot this week to the Seahawks? That’s probably not going to happen.

Onto Week 15​

People wonder why Seattle often gets the “Luckiest team in the league” moniker. Look no further than Week 15. They will host the Indianapolis Colts. That could have been a good game. That could have the makings of a huge surprise. The Colts could win that game.

Except it isn’t happening. The quarterback for the Colts, Daniel Jones, is out for the season after suffering a torn Achilles tendon against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Colts’ backup quarterback is also injured. The Seahawks get to host an offense that has not scored less than 20 points all season—except the person running that offense is injured, and there isn’t someone to step up either. So one of the best defenses in the league gets what will become one of the league’s worst offenses.

That is Seattle Seahawks luck. They get the Panthers next week, unless something wacky happens there, too.

The Rams get the Detroit Lions in another game that the Lions could win. Don’t get your hopes up, but we’re running out of teams here. The Rams’ remaining schedule is the Seahawks, Lions, Falcons, and another Cardinals game. There are two teams there that can beat them. Detroit, don’t let us down.

The Cardinals will host the Houston Texans. We all should know how this will go. Arizona is bad, and the Texans are the other best defense in the league.

As for the 49ers? They will be traveling to face the Tennessee Titans. This game has the markings of a trap written all over it. The Titans managed to beat the Cleveland Browns in Week 14, 31-29, but that’s only one of their two wins. The other came against the Cardinals before they really took a nose dive. The 49ers should win this one handily, but we know how these games sometimes can go.

1st: Los Angeles Rams; Next: vs Detroit Lions

2nd: Seattle Seahawks; Next: vs Indianapolis Colts

3rd: San Francisco 49ers; Next: at Teneesee Titans

4th: Arizona Cardinals ELIMINATED: Next: at Houston Texans

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/genera...place-with-no-help-from-rams-seahawks-winning

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

49ers claim linebacker off waivers from the Broncos; place Ben Bartch on the IR

The San Francisco 49ers claimed linebacker Garrett Wallow off waivers from the Denver Broncos. To make room for Wallow, left guard Ben Bartch was placed on the Injured Reserve. Fresh off their bye week, the Niners are heading into Week 15 with Tatum Bethune still nursing a high-ankle injury. Kyle Shanahan said the upcoming game against the Tennessee Titans might be too early for Tatum to return.

Wallow joins Curtis Robinson, Dee Winters, Luke Gifford, and Nick Martin on the active roster. Eric Kendricks and Jalen Graham are on the practice squad. This move suggests Bethune is still a week away, while the team feels Wallow is ready to contribute right away, at least in a special teams capacity.

Wallow was a fifth-round pick by the Houston Texans in 2021. He’s played 133 snaps for Denver. All but one of those were on special teams. Graham played 14 snaps in Week 13 on special teams. The 49ers had to shuffle the deck after Martin left with a concussion.

Wallow had a few athletic tests that stood out from the NFL Combine. He was in the 84th percentile in the 3-cone and short shuttle drills, while the 77th percentile in the broad jump and 65th percentile in the 40-yard dash. Graham was in the 66th percentile in the 40-yard dash, but elected not to do the short shuttle drills — which is generally a sign that he’s not going to run well. Graham was in the 20th percentile in the broad jump.

The 49ers already activated Graham twice. They would have needed to promote Graham to the active roster after another elevation. Signing Wallow, who is in the final year of his rookie deal, means the Niners get a more experienced player for cheap and a better athlete. The 49ers’ special teams units have been one of the biggest surprises to date, and a player like Wallow should continue to help in that regard.

And if Bethune remains out, the 49ers can elevate Eric Kendricks, who will almost assuredly only play defense, while Wallow can concentrate on a special teams role.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/san-fr...ers-garrett-wallow-jalen-graham-tatum-bethune

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

How Eric Kendricks’ experience could be just what the 49ers defense needs moving forward

The San Francisco 49ers are entering the portion of the schedule where experience matters. Since Fred Warner’s injury, the 49ers have started Tatum Bethune and Curtis Robinson. Bethune remains out with a high-ankle sprain after starting five games, while Robinson, a lifetime special teamer, has started the previous two games.

With Bethune’s status in question this week, the 49ers are looking for experience at MIKE linebacker. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more experienced player than Eric Kendricks, who signed to the Niners’ practice squad on November 26.

The 11-year veteran played against the 49ers last season with the Dallas Cowboys, where he finished with nine tackles. Kendricks finished the season with 138 tackles, which led Dallas by 50, despite him missing a couple of games. Those 138 tackles from last season are 37 more than Bethune and Robinson have in their careers.

That wasn’t the only time the 49ers saw Kendricks. In 2022, the Niners had joint practices against the Minnesota Vikings during training camp. On Monday, Trent Williams told reporters what it was like to go against Kendricks:

“I just remember him wrecking our practice. He was a thorn in our backside as o-linemen because he diagnosed so quickly. He took away our ability to help because he was getting to the spot he needed to be so quick.”

Monday’s bonus practice wasn’t open to the media. We likely won’t know Kendricks’ role until Sunday. It’s hard to imagine a player who has started 142 times in this league joining the practice squad for a playoff team to watch from the sidelines.

Kendricks called this 49ers team “special” and admired how the Niners have continued to fight through adversity, calling it “inspiring to watch.”

Kendricks also spoke about the differences between Mike Zimmer’s scheme and Robert Saleh’s: It’s a little more eyes on the quarterback, and some of the blitzes are very similar. It’s a lot of memorization with terminology, but there’s some carry-over. Being blessed to be with four teams in four years, it’s allowed me to learn things really fast.”

The 49ers’ run defense hasn’t changed much since Warner’s injury, but their inability to stop passes over the middle and get after the quarterback with their pressures has fallen off a cliff. Both are areas where Kendricks has excelled throughout his career, which is why the best-case scenario may be Bethune on early downs and Kendricks on passing downs when everyone is healthy and up to speed.

It was too soon to throw Kendricks out there against the Browns before the bye week. Kendricks will still only have a few practices under his belt after this week. This Sunday against the Titans might feel like a preseason game for Kendricks as he shakes the rust off. But after this, it should be all systems go as the Colts-Bears-Seahawks games will be nailbiters.

Kendricks said he was here to “humble” himself and be part of a good team. He should have his opportunity, and that could come as early as Week 15.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/san-fr...2/49ers-eric-kendricks-trent-williams-vikings

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

Why one key statistic could spark a 49ers playoff run

The San Francisco 49ers are in control of their destiny with four weeks left in the season, standing at 9-4 with the No. 6 seed in the NFC after their bye week.

It was another chaotic week in the NFL that saw some shakeups in the NFC Playoff Picture as the Chicago Bears fell all the way from No. 1 to No. 7 after their loss to the Green Bay Packers. Meanwhile, the NFC South continues to get muddier after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost another game, putting them tied with the Carolina Panthers for first place in the division.

Then, there’s the NFC West, which seems to only get stronger by the week. The Los Angeles Rams are the No. 1 seed in the conference after improving to 10-3. The Seattle Seahawks are right on their tail at 10-3 (although the Rams hold the head-to-head tiebreaker). And the 49ers are one game back at 9-4.

At the moment, all three teams are heavily favored to make the playoffs. But, do they have enough to make a playoff push when the postseason arrives? The Rams and Seahawks are playing like two of the top five teams in the NFL right now. Los Angeles has an MVP candidate at quarterback, fueling one of the best offenses in the league, while their defense remains a top-three unit in points allowed. Seattle, on the other hand, has one of the best defenses in the league, while their offense has been explosive with Sam Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who leads the NFL in receiving.

How about the 49ers, though? They’re right there at 9-4, despite dealing with season-ending injuries to Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, while seeing several other starters miss multiple games. Their defense has been an anomaly this year, not really being elite at anything, but still managing to be a top-10 scoring defense.

Their offense, on the other hand, has been efficient with either Mac Jones or Brock Purdy at quarterback. That will have to continue if the 49ers are to continue a playoff run.

But, there’s one key stat that often goes overlooked that could play a big factor in a playoff run: penalties.

Amidst all the movement and issues this season, San Francisco ranks second in the NFL in penalties (5.2 per game) and penalty yards (38.4 yards per game), ranking only behind the Rams in both categories.

They’re one of the most disciplined teams in the league, which has allowed them to play at an efficient rate offensively and be just good enough defensively to limit points. That will be crucial come playoff time, especially if the 49ers end up as a wild-card team and likely play on the road throughout the postseason.

They’ve been especially good over their last three contests, which were all must-win games, averaging only two penalties and 10.7 penalty yards a game in the wins over Arizona, Carolina, and Cleveland. Now, they need to remain on the same trajectory to end the season, with three playoff contenders still on the schedule.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/san-fr...uld-spark-playoff-run-penalties-kyle-shanahan

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

Which 49ers player would you pull out of retirement?

It looks like the San Francisco 49ers are set to face Philip Rivers in Week 15 against the Indianapolis Colts. The last time Rivers played in the NFL, the media had to communicate with players and coaches via Zoom.

We’re going to take a page out of the Colts’ script. What if the 49ers could build an unbelievable story of their own? The 49ers lost their quarterback for several games, but they’re without two of their best players and two of the best players in the NFL, Fred Warner and Nick Bosa.

Your answer doesn’t have to be a linebacker or a pass rusher, but this is a franchise that has had some elite players at those positions. Could you imagine Patrick Willis or NaVorro Bowman dusting off their cleats and playing a game in Levi’s Stadium?

A defensive line that could use an injection of talent could certainly use Aldon Smith off the edge or Justin Smith creating havoc inside. For this exercise, it doesn’t have to be a recently retired player. They can be from any era. Let’s get ridiculous.

Which 49ers player would you want to pull out of retirement right now?​

My answer: Charles Haley

As tempting as it is to say one of the Hall of Famers like Jerry Rice or Terrell Owens — imagine how easy their lives would be in a Kyle Shanahan offense — I’m going to stick with the defensive side of the ball and resurrect those prime seasons of a young Charles Haley, who racked up double-digit sacks in four of his first five seasons. I’m going to go out on a limb and say he’d be successful in any area against any offensive tackle, especially in a defense where Robert Saleh would move him around. I was born in 1987, so I’m not going to pretend like I watched Haley live. But I have YouTube and Pro Football Reference. I’m guessing Haley didn’t have many reps against interior offensive linemen. That would change in 2025.

Which former 49ers player would you take from retirement right now? Share your answer in the comment section below.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/san-fr...49ers-player-would-you-pull-out-of-retirement

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

Will the 49ers be spenders this offseason?

The San Francisco 49ers had a different offseason this past year, electing to save money as they released several veterans, while letting other key free agents walk as they prioritized the draft.

While doing so, the 49ers did extend multiple key starters, such as Brock Purdy, Fred Warner, and George Kittle. They ended up drafting 11 players in May, and several of those pieces have gone on to either be starters or rotational players in 2025.

The youth reset was needed as San Francisco was heading to be one of the NFL’s oldest rosters. They hadn’t been hitting on draft picks at a high level in 2022 or 2023 after the ill-fated move to trade up for Trey Lance in 2021.

Now, the 49ers have cleaner books, younger talent, and are still surging with a 9-4 record here in 2025. Will they continue looking to save money in 2026?

General Manager John Lynch recently went on “The TK Show” with Tim Kawakami and revealed that the 49ers aren’t expecting to try and save money this offseason. But, they will continue to prioritize the draft and development.

“No, [I don’t think we’ll prioritize saving money in free agency],” Lynch said. “But I think the great thing about watching a rookie draft class like [ours] is maybe you aren’t as inclined to go out in free agency and feel like ‘we have to go spend here’ because we’ve got a lot of young players who we’re really excited about.

“[The rookie class] buoys your confidence that we can go replicate that in the future. That’s not to say we won’t be wise and try to spend money strategically in free agency. It will always be a combination of all of the above: drafting really well, [acting on it] when there’s an opportunity in the trade market, and free agency.”

The 49ers likely won’t have 11 draft picks again in 2026. But, Lynch knows that the draft is the way to get starters, while free agency can be more of a complementary piece for the roster.

“It’s healthy for your team to keep adding and infusing youth,” Lynch continued. “It’s a young man’s game. I just like the combo. Whatever we have, we’ve got to just be committed to spending it wisely. We’ve rewarded a lot of players around here, and there are consequences for that. But I think that so long as you manage it well, we can keep this thing going.”

The 49ers have made some splashes in free agency. Perhaps the biggest hit was Charvarius Ward, who signed on a three-year deal and became the team’s top cornerback during his stint with the 49ers. They also spent big on Javon Hargrave, who was good but didn’t pan out to the money he got paid with injuries.

In general, they’ve been spenders in free agency during the Shanahan-Lynch era, which was partially why last year’s dramatic cutback was a surprise. Perhaps the 49ers didn’t have to go so drastic with their cuts, but they’re in a good position to spend in 2026 while continuing to build via the draft.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/san-fr...free-agency-john-lynch-spenders-kyle-shanahan