- Position
- LB
- Number
- #53
- Age
- 22
- Pieces here
- 41
Written about him
Five takeaways in one half, and the 49ers never sacked Kirk Cousins
San Francisco beat Las Vegas 38-17 at Levi's Stadium on Sunday and is 7-1. The 49ers scored touchdowns on their first three possessions, did not punt, and ran 43 times for 190 yards. Las Vegas turned the ball over on five of its six second-half possessions: Jaden Dugger's 35-yard interception return on the first play of the half, two forced fumbles, and interceptions by Renardo Green and Malik Mustapha. The official game book credits San Francisco with no sacks and six quarterback hits, two of them on the plays Green and Mustapha intercepted. Nick Bosa played 39 of 50 defensive snaps in his first game since Sept. 20, and DeForest Buckner played 34. Jordan Watkins caught all four of his targets for 86 yards and his first NFL touchdown. Christian McCaffrey's 12-yard catch set the Super Bowl-era record for touchdown catches by a running back and was Brock Purdy's 100th touchdown pass. Gracen Halton broke his ankle and is out for the season, Shanahan said; Green (back) and Deommodore Lenoir (foot) did not return.
Nick Bosa plays his first game since September, with Buckner beside him
The 49ers (6-1) play the Raiders (4-4) at Levi's Stadium at 1:25 p.m. Pacific on FOX. Nick Bosa is cleared after missing five games and lines up with DeForest Buckner for the first time since the 2019 season. Christian Kirk, Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel are out, and Demarcus Robinson is back off injured reserve. Ten to watch, led by the rookies and second-year players: Jaden Dugger, Gracen Halton, Mykel Williams, Upton Stout, Jordan Watkins, plus Bosa, Buckner, Robinson, George Kittle and Brock Purdy. Inactive lists post at 11:55 a.m. Pacific.
The 49ers never hit Penix, and they gave Atlanta the ball four times
Atlanta beat San Francisco 29-20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, the 49ers' first loss, and they are 6-1 into the bye. San Francisco led 14-3 on the first play of the second quarter and Atlanta scored the next 23 points. The 49ers turned the ball over four times and Atlanta scored 13 points off them; Atlanta did not turn it over. The official game book credits the 49ers' defense with no sack, no quarterback hit and no pass defensed on Michael Penix Jr.'s 34 throws. Atlanta made four first downs by San Francisco penalty, three of them on its 90-yard touchdown drive. Christian McCaffrey left with a thigh injury after the second possession, returned for the third quarter and had 26 yards on six touches afterward. Kaelon Black ran for 60 yards in the first half, scored from 30 yards and lost a fumble one play after Jordan James fumbled. Christian Kirk played 20 snaps in his debut and was not targeted. Eddy Pineiro missed an extra point, his seventh missed kick in 34 tries this season, and Kyle Shanahan said the club would discuss the position on the plane.
Kirk is in line for his 49ers debut, and Evans and Samuel are both out
The 49ers (6-0) play the Falcons (2-4) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium at 10 a.m. Pacific on FOX, the last game before their bye. Nick Bosa, Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, Luke Gifford, Marques Sigle and Garret Wallow are out. Christian Kirk was activated off injured reserve Saturday and carries no designation, so he is in line for his first game as a 49er. Ten to watch, led by the rookies and second-year players: Jaden Dugger, Gracen Halton, Mykel Williams, Upton Stout, Jordan Watkins, plus Kirk, Jacob Cowing, Keion White, George Kittle and Fred Warner. Inactive lists post at 8:30 a.m. Pacific.
Half of Washington's second-half catches ended at Dugger or Warner
San Francisco beat Washington 23-17 to go 6-0, gaining 303 yards in the first half and 72 after it while Washington went from 90 to 224. Jayden Daniels completed 22 of 30 passes for 212 yards after halftime, almost all of them short, and Jaden Dugger and Fred Warner made the tackle on 11 of the 22, with Dre Greenlaw suspended, Garret Wallow inactive and Luke Gifford out after four snaps. Two of Washington's four first downs by penalty were illegal-contact calls on Renardo Green and Ashtyn Davis, the second wiping out a fourth-down sack; PFF graded Davis lowest of the 20 49ers defenders who played. Purdy threw 21 of his 29 passes to backs and tight ends, and after Evans left with his sore Achilles he threw nine more and one went to a wide receiver. Romello Height had four quarterback hits after missing Friday's practice. Greenlaw's suspension was lifted Tuesday; Christian Kirk is a possibility for Atlanta.
After Pineiro's field goal, Washington ran 40 plays and the 49ers ran nine
San Francisco beat Washington 23-17 at Levi's Stadium on Monday night and is 6-0 for the first time since 2019. It led 23-3 with 5:56 left in the third quarter, and from there the offense ran nine plays on three possessions without a first down while Washington ran 40 and scored twice. Four of Washington's first downs came by penalty, two of them wiping out a third-down incompletion and a fourth-down sack. Malik Mustapha broke up a fourth-and-3 pass at the 17 with two minutes left, and Keion White and Romello Height sacked Jayden Daniels on the final play. Mike Evans caught three passes for 94 yards and left with 1:10 in the first half with the Achilles soreness that kept him out of practice all week. Brock Purdy passed 1,500 career attempts on the opening drive, and the club's notes list him first in career passer rating. Jaden Dugger led the team with 11 tackles. Luke Gifford and Upton Stout also left and did not return.
Greenlaw's suspension is over, and Kirk still needs a roster spot
The league lifted Dre Greenlaw's one-game suspension on Tuesday and put him on a roster exemption, and the 49ers released defensive tackle Naquan Jones the same afternoon. Fred Warner and Jaden Dugger played 67 and 64 of 67 defensive snaps on Monday with Greenlaw out. Jones's spot is the one Greenlaw needs, which leaves the 53 full again and means Christian Kirk, whose practice window closes Nov. 5, needs a second move. Kyle Shanahan said after Monday's win that Mike Evans's Achilles tendinitis is not a long-term thing; Ian Rapoport said on ESPN, per 49ers Webzone, that Evans will have to manage it for the better part of the season. Shanahan said he would be surprised to get Deebo Samuel or Demarcus Robinson back for Atlanta. James Thompson Jr. played 21 snaps on Monday in his return from an ankle injury. Luke Gifford (groin) and Upton Stout (shoulder) have no update since Monday; the first report of the short week follows Wednesday's practice.
The 49ers worked out four linebackers the day after Greenlaw lost his appeal
Dre Greenlaw's appeal of his one-game suspension was denied Tuesday by hearing officer James Thrash, so he misses Monday night's game against Washington and can return the next day. On Wednesday, a players' day off, the 49ers worked out four free-agent linebackers, per the league's transaction report as cited by 49ers Webzone: Eugene Asante, Jamon Johnson, Kobe King and Anfernee Orji. Four healthy linebackers remain on the 53, and ESPN's Nick Wagoner expects rookie Jaden Dugger to start. Ian Rapoport said Tuesday that Deebo Samuel is likely out two weeks and is not headed to injured reserve. Practice resumes Thursday.
Seattle's turnovers made 21 points, and the 49ers still needed the last kick
The 49ers beat Seattle 32-29 on Sunday to go 5-0. Seattle turned the ball over four times and the 49ers scored 21 points off them, including Gracen Halton's fumble return touchdown. Renardo Green intercepted two passes. Dre Greenlaw was ejected for head-butting Ernest Jones IV on Seattle's sideline, and rookie Jaden Dugger played 47 of 63 defensive snaps. Mike Evans caught seven passes for 113 yards. Brock Purdy was sacked three times, the first sacks he has taken this season. Deebo Samuel left with a hamstring injury.
Denver's 68-sack defense is next for Brock Purdy, who has not been sacked
San Francisco (3-0) hosts Denver (2-1) at 1:25 p.m. Pacific on CBS. Brock Purdy has not been sacked this season, and the Broncos led the league with 68 sacks in 2025. Nick Bosa, James Thompson Jr. and Mykel Williams are out. Mike Evans, Dre Greenlaw, Keion White and Jaden Dugger are questionable. Matthew Judon and Malik Turner were elevated Saturday and Sebastian Valdez was promoted to the 53. Ten men to watch.
Mike Evans practiced Friday, but he is a game-time decision against Denver
Mike Evans (ribs) was limited Friday after two days off and is questionable for Sunday against Denver; Kyle Shanahan called him a game-time decision. Dre Greenlaw, Keion White and Jaden Dugger are also questionable. Nick Bosa, James Thompson Jr. and Mykel Williams are out. Trent Williams and Romello Height carry no designation.
Carver Willis Graded Last Among The Linemen In The Game He Started
Carver Willis started at left guard against the Raiders and PFF's grades from the game, released Friday, rank him last among the 49ers' offensive linemen while giving Connor Colby the best pass-blocking grade of the night. The job is still open. San Francisco did not practice Friday and will not practice Saturday or Sunday, because Kyle Shanahan gave the team three days off after the finale, so the cut to 53 at 3 p.m. Pacific on Sunday falls inside them. The club reached an injury settlement with running back Patrick Taylor Jr. on Friday. Deion Jones, acquired Monday, graded first among all 49ers in the game. Jaden Dugger drew the highest pass-rushing grade on the team and Patrick Willis said so publicly.
Five Rookies Started And The Kicker Scored All Eighteen Points
The 49ers beat the Raiders 18-12 at Allegiant Stadium on Thursday night. Eddy Pineiro made all six of his field goals and scored every point San Francisco scored; neither team reached the end zone. The official game book lists five rookies in the starting lineup, three on offense: Carver Willis at left guard, Enrique Cruz Jr. at left tackle and Kaelon Black at running back. Cruz played all 61 offensive snaps and rookie safety Jalen Stroman played all 66 on defense. Jaden Dugger led the team with ten tackles, Jordan James played his first snaps of the preseason and drew a penalty that wiped out a touchdown, and Jordan Watkins ran, caught and returned. The roster is due at 53 on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. PT.
San Francisco Traded For A Linebacker Five Days Before The Cutdown
The 49ers announced at 8:15 a.m. Tuesday that they acquired linebacker Deion Jones from the New Orleans Saints in exchange for running back Zamir White. New Orleans signed Jones on August 8 and San Francisco signed White on August 12, so the trade moved two men who had been with their clubs for seventeen and thirteen days. It is the only linebacker transaction on the 49ers' August log. Nick Martin left the Chargers game on August 20 with a hamstring injury and Jalen Graham had missed a couple of practices with an injury as of Sunday, and Tim Kawakami had Jaden Dugger and Garret Wallow as the likeliest men to come out of the competition behind Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw. Jones has 128 career games and 91 starts and spent his first five Atlanta seasons with Raheem Morris on that staff. White's entire 49ers career is fourteen carries for thirty yards. Christian McCaffrey returned to practice Sunday after about two weeks off. The roster is due at 53 on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. PT.