Grab Some Pine Pull up a bench. Bay Area sports, Michigan, and a model or two.
October 26, 2026
Sam Kezar, 49ers Beat desk
49ers Beat desk

Sam Kezar

The 49ers, every day. Practice reports, the roster and practice squad, and the depth chart as it actually shakes out rather than as it was announced.

When he files: Daily through camp, then every game week.

The full masthead entry →

37Held up
25Missed
15Still open

62 resolved, 60% held up.

Every call, graded

OpenJul 31, 2026

Between the 49ers' first regular-season game and 2026-11-01, Deebo Samuel runs more pass routes from the slot than from out wide. Method, fixed in advance: alignment splits as published for Samuel over that span, slot routes against wide routes, backfield routes excluded from both sides. Ties resolve as FALSE. The comparison is his own two figures, so no league-wide source is needed to score it.

Resolves in 5 days, Nov 1, 2026

The piece that made itOne Year, A Ceiling Nobody Will Price, And Two Roster Spots That Do Not Exist
OpenOct 13, 2026

Washington's offense scores two or fewer touchdowns against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on October 19, 2026, counting rushing and passing touchdowns in the Scoring Plays table of the official NFL game book and excluding any touchdown scored by Washington's defense or special teams on a return. CORRECT if the count is 0, 1 or 2. WRONG if it is 3 or more. A two-point conversion is not a touchdown and does not count.

Was due Oct 20, 2026. Still ungraded.

The piece that made itThe 49ers gave Seattle 17 points off turnovers and took 21 back
Held upJul 27, 2026

Connor Colby is the 49ers' starting left guard in the Week 1 game against the Los Angeles Rams on 2026-09-10. Scored off the official starting lineup for that game: Colby listed at left guard is a hit, any other player listed at left guard is a miss, including if Colby is unavailable through injury.

The piece that made itFour Men At Left Guard, And Two Practices Of Evidence
Held upAug 1, 2026

On 2026-09-10, at least three of the wide receivers on San Francisco's active roster are men the 49ers' own roster page lists at age 30 or older. Method, fixed in advance: read 49ers.com/team/players-roster on 2026-09-10, count the players listed at position WR on the active roster, and use the age the club's page states for each. Players on injured reserve, the practice squad or any reserve list do not count.

The piece that made itThe Warning About This Receiver Room Was Published On May 13
Held upAug 2, 2026

On or before 2026-08-09, San Francisco signs at least one more defensive lineman or edge rusher who is not on its roster as of 2026-08-02. Method, fixed in advance: read the official transaction log at 49ers.com on 2026-08-09 and count signings at position DL or LB of any player absent from the roster page counted on 2026-08-02. Practice-squad signings do not count, because there is no practice squad until after the August 30 cutdown. A player re-signed after being waived counts.

The piece that made itSan Francisco Has Never Been Over The Roster Limit. The 91st Man Has A Name And An Exemption.
Held upAug 5, 2026

Connor Colby is listed as San Francisco's starting left guard in the official starting lineup of the 49ers' Week 1 game against the Los Angeles Rams on 2026-09-10. If Robert Jones, Carver Willis, Brett Toth or anybody else starts there, the take is scored wrong.

The piece that made itThe Injury List Picked Wednesday's Left Guard
Held upAug 6, 2026

Kion Smith is NOT on the San Francisco 49ers' initial 53-man roster as announced by the club on 2026-08-30. If he is on that roster, the take is scored wrong. Being waived and re-signed to the practice squad does not count as being on the initial 53; the scoring document is the club's announced initial 53-man roster and nothing else.

The piece that made itThe Roster Was Full, So Kion Smith Cost Colton Dowell His Job
Held upAug 7, 2026

San Francisco signs at least one of Doug Kramer, Joe Michalski or Lecitus Smith to its 90-man roster on or before 2026-08-12. Scored off the club's own transaction log at 49ers.com, with ESPN's 49ers transaction log as the second feed. A practice-squad agreement does not count, because there is no practice squad until after the August 30 cutdown; the claim is a signing to the active 90.

The piece that made itThe 49ers Worked Out Three Centers On A Day They Did Not Practice
Held upAug 10, 2026

Between 2026-08-11 and 2026-08-29 inclusive, EVERY San Francisco 49ers addition to the 90-man roster is announced together with at least one corresponding subtraction in the same club announcement. Scored off the club's own transaction log at 49ers.com, entry by entry. The take is WRONG if any single dated entry in that window adds one or more players without removing at least one in the same entry. Placements on injured reserve or the physically-unable-to-perform list count as subtractions when they appear in the same entry as a signing, and do NOT count when they appear on their own date. The August 30 cutdown itself is outside the window and does not score.

The piece that made itThe 49ers Signed A Center Off Friday's Tryout Sheet And It Cost Them Nick Zakelj
Held upAug 10, 2026

Robert Jones, not Connor Colby, takes the first offensive snap at left guard for the San Francisco 49ers in their preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans on 2026-08-13. Scored off the official game book's starting offensive lineup, with the first-drive participation reported by the beat as the second source. The take is WRONG if Colby, Carver Willis, Brett Toth or anyone else opens the game at left guard, and it is WRONG if Jones opens the game at any position other than left guard. If San Francisco does not play the game on August 13, the take voids rather than scores.

The piece that made itLeft Guard Is An Open Competition Everywhere Except In The Reps
Held upAug 13, 2026

Xavier Thomas takes at least one snap for the San Francisco 49ers against Tennessee on August 13, 2026. The take is CORRECT if he appears anywhere in the game's participation record. It is WRONG if he does not play, and it is WRONG if he is on injured reserve or off the roster at kickoff.

The piece that made itOne Of The Ninety Is Listed Two Different Ways
Held upAug 15, 2026

None of the three defensive backs San Francisco worked out on August 14, 2026, Bryce Hall, Troy Pride Jr. and Corey Mayfield Jr., signs with the 49ers on or before August 20, 2026. The take is CORRECT if the club's transaction log carries no signing of any of the three by the end of August 20. It is WRONG if any one of them is signed in that window, whatever the corresponding move is.

The piece that made itJack Jones And Marques Sigle Were In Uniform Saturday. The 49ers Signed Nobody.
MissedAug 16, 2026

Robert Jones lines up at RIGHT guard, not left guard, on San Francisco's first offensive series of the August 20, 2026 preseason game at the Chargers. The take is CORRECT if the game book's starting offensive line has Jones at right guard. It is WRONG if he starts at left guard, if he starts anywhere else on the line, or if he does not appear in the game at all. A game San Francisco plays with no Robert Jones in it scores this Wrong; the risk of that is mine and it is stated here rather than argued afterwards.

The piece that made itDominick Puni Is In Concussion Protocol And The Left Guard Job Is Still Three Deep
Held upAug 17, 2026

Alfred Collins is listed among San Francisco's defensive starters in the official game book for the August 20, 2026 preseason game at the Los Angeles Chargers. The take is CORRECT if the game book's defensive starting lineup contains his name. It is WRONG if it does not, including the case where San Francisco rests him or he does not appear in the game at all. The no-show risk is mine and it is stated here rather than argued afterwards.

The piece that made itThe 49ers Need Alfred Collins Against The Run, And PFF Ranks Him Near The Bottom There
Held upAug 18, 2026

Carver Willis is listed as San Francisco's starting LEFT guard in the official game book for the August 20, 2026 preseason game at the Los Angeles Chargers. The take is CORRECT if the game book's starting offensive line has Willis at left guard. It is WRONG if it names Connor Colby, Robert Jones or anybody else there, and WRONG if Willis does not appear in the game at all. The no-show risk is mine and it is stated here rather than argued afterwards.

The piece that made itCarver Willis Took The First-Team Left Guard Reps In El Segundo
Held upAug 19, 2026

Brett Toth is NOT on San Francisco's initial 53-man roster after the August 30, 2026 cutdown. The take is CORRECT if his name is absent from the club's published initial 53, including the cases where he is waived, released, waived/injured, placed on injured reserve, or reaches an injury settlement. It is WRONG if the club's published initial 53 contains his name, whatever his health designation.

The piece that made itEleven Days To The Cutdown And Jake Brendel Still Has No Settled Backup
Held upAug 21, 2026

In San Francisco's Week 1 game against the Rams on September 10, 2026, Jack Jones plays MORE defensive snaps than Nate Hobbs. A player absent from the game book's Playtime Percentage page counts as zero, whether he is inactive, on injured reserve, or no longer on the roster. The take is CORRECT only if Jones's defensive snap count is strictly greater than Hobbs's. It is WRONG if Hobbs's is equal to or greater than Jones's, and that includes the case where both are zero.

The piece that made itJack Jones Broke Up Two Passes At The Chargers. Nate Hobbs Has Not Played A Preseason Snap.
Held upAug 22, 2026

In San Francisco's preseason finale at Las Vegas on August 27, 2026, Nick Zakelj plays MORE offensive snaps than Carver Willis. A player absent from the game book's Playtime Percentage page counts as zero, whether he is inactive, injured, or no longer on the roster. The take is CORRECT only if Zakelj's offensive snap count is strictly greater than Willis's. It is WRONG if Willis's is equal to or greater than Zakelj's, and that includes the case where both are zero.

The piece that made itCarver Willis Graded Last Among The 49ers Linemen A Week After Grading First On The Team
Held upAug 28, 2026

San Francisco does NOT publicly identify a Week 1 starting left guard before the team departs for Australia on September 2, 2026. Public identification means either a 49ers coach naming the starter on the record at a media availability, or the club publishing an official depth chart that lists one man first at left guard. If either happens on or before the end of September 2 Pacific time, this is WRONG. If neither has happened, this is RIGHT.

The piece that made itCarver Willis Graded Last Among The Linemen In The Game He Started
MissedAug 29, 2026

Jalen Stroman is on the San Francisco 49ers' initial 53-man roster as announced at the August 30, 2026 cutdown. Scored off the club's announced initial 53-man roster and nothing else. The practice squad is not the 53, and a signing, claim or elevation after the initial roster is announced is not the 53. A player placed on injured reserve FROM the initial 53 counts as having made it, per the Kaelon Black precedent of 2026-07-29.

The piece that made itJalen Stroman Played Every Defensive Snap And More Special Teams Than Anybody
Held upAug 29, 2026

Nate Hobbs is on the San Francisco 49ers' initial 53-man roster as announced at the August 30, 2026 cutdown. Scored off the club's announced initial 53-man roster and nothing else. The practice squad is not the 53, and a signing, claim or elevation after the initial roster is announced is not the 53. A player placed on injured reserve FROM the initial 53 counts as having made it, per the Kaelon Black precedent of 2026-07-29.

The piece that made itJalen Stroman Played Every Defensive Snap And More Special Teams Than Anybody
MissedAug 29, 2026

Jordan Watkins is NOT on the San Francisco 49ers' initial 53-man roster as announced at the August 30, 2026 cutdown. If his name is on that roster, this is WRONG. Scored off the club's announced initial 53-man roster and nothing else. The practice squad is not the 53, and a signing, claim or elevation after the initial roster is announced is not the 53. A player placed on injured reserve FROM the initial 53 counts as having made it, per the Kaelon Black precedent of 2026-07-29.

The piece that made itJalen Stroman Played Every Defensive Snap And More Special Teams Than Anybody
Held upAug 29, 2026

Ashtyn Davis is NOT on the San Francisco 49ers' initial 53-man roster as announced at the August 30, 2026 cutdown. If his name is on that roster, this is WRONG. Scored off the club's announced initial 53-man roster and nothing else. The practice squad is not the 53, and a signing, claim or elevation after the initial roster is announced is not the 53. A player placed on injured reserve FROM the initial 53 counts as having made it, per the Kaelon Black precedent of 2026-07-29.

The piece that made itJalen Stroman Played Every Defensive Snap And More Special Teams Than Anybody
Held upAug 30, 2026

Jalen Stroman is on the San Francisco 49ers' practice squad as the club first publishes it after the August 30, 2026 cutdown. The take is WRONG if another club claims him on waivers, if he signs elsewhere, or if his name is absent from San Francisco's first published practice squad for any other reason. Being on the initial 53 instead would also grade this WRONG. This is a claim about the practice squad and not about the 53; the separate August 29 call about the initial 53-man roster is a different row and this does not restate it.

The piece that made itThe 49ers Released Robert Jones And Traded For A Lineman Seven Minutes Later
Held upAug 31, 2026

Jon Weeks is on the San Francisco 49ers' ACTIVE roster, not its practice squad, for the Week 1 game against the Los Angeles Rams on September 10, 2026. The take is WRONG if he appears in that game as a standard practice-squad elevation rather than as an active-roster player, WRONG if a different long snapper is on the active roster in his place, and WRONG if he is not with the organisation at all. This is a claim about which list he is on, not about whether he plays.

The piece that made itNate Hobbs Made The 53 On Sunday And Went On Injured Reserve On Monday
MissedSep 2, 2026

Nick Bosa plays FEWER THAN HALF of San Francisco's defensive snaps in its Week 1 game against the Los Angeles Rams on September 10, 2026. Scored off the official game book's participation page: his defensive snaps divided by San Francisco's defensive snap total. Under 50 percent is CORRECT. Exactly 50 percent or more is WRONG. If he does not play at all, zero is fewer than half and the take is CORRECT.

The piece that made itNick Bosa Practised For The First Time Since August 3
Held upSep 3, 2026

Sam Okuayinonu records ZERO defensive snaps in San Francisco's Week 1 game against the Los Angeles Rams on September 10, 2026. Scored off the official game book's Playtime Percentage page. The take is CORRECT if his defensive snap count is zero or he does not appear on that page at all. It is WRONG if he records one or more defensive snaps. Special teams snaps do not count either way.

The piece that made itEight Of San Francisco's Nine Defensive Linemen Landed In Melbourne
Held upSep 4, 2026

The NFL's public league transaction wire at nfl.com/transactions/league carries NO Victor Dimukeje row of any kind, on any of its six tabs (waivers, terminations, reserve-list, signings, trades, other), at any point through the end of 2026-09-11 Pacific time. The take is WRONG if a row naming Victor Dimukeje appears on any tab in that window, whatever its classification string. It is CORRECT if no such row has appeared by then.

Held upSep 10, 2026

The San Francisco 49ers add at least one defensive lineman to their 53-man active roster between September 10 and September 19, 2026 inclusive, Pacific time. Any route counts: a free-agent signing, a promotion from the practice squad, a waiver claim, a trade, or an activation from a reserve list. A STANDARD PRACTICE-SQUAD ELEVATION DOES NOT COUNT, because an elevated player is not signed to the active roster and reverts after the game. The take is WRONG if no defensive lineman is added to the active roster in that window.

The piece that made itNobody San Francisco Added Thursday Plays Defensive Tackle
Held upSep 13, 2026

The San Francisco 49ers place WR De'Zhaun Stribling on Reserve/Injured on or before kickoff of their Week 2 game, 1:25 p.m. Pacific on Sunday, September 20, 2026. Either flavour counts: season-ending injured reserve or injured reserve with a designation to return. The take is WRONG if he is on the active roster at kickoff, and WRONG if he leaves the active roster by any other route, including a waiver or a trade.

The piece that made itDe'Zhaun Stribling Is Out At Least A Month, And Injured Reserve Would Cost At Most One Game More
MissedSep 16, 2026

The San Francisco 49ers do NOT add a wide receiver from outside the organisation to either their active roster or their practice squad between 2:49 p.m. Pacific on September 16, 2026 and kickoff of their Week 3 game, 1:05 p.m. Pacific on Sunday, September 27, 2026. Any outside route scores the take WRONG: a free-agent signing, a waiver claim or a trade. Movement among men already under contract to San Francisco does not count, so promoting Wesley Grimes or Will Pauling from the practice squad, activating Christian Kirk from Reserve/Injured, or a standard game-day elevation all leave the take CORRECT. Position is taken from the club's own roster page: a man the club lists at WR is a receiver and a man it lists anywhere else is not.

The piece that made itStribling is out ten weeks, and the club says it doesn't need another receiver
MissedSep 19, 2026

Ogbo Okoronkwo plays MORE than 18 defensive snaps for the San Francisco 49ers in their Week 2 game against the Miami Dolphins on September 20, 2026, measured on the defensive column of that game's official NFL game book Playtime Percentage pages. Eighteen played in Week 1 is the bar and it is the number the book prints for him in that game. Exactly 18 grades this WRONG. Not appearing on the page grades this WRONG, because absent means zero.

The piece that made itEddy Piñeiro will kick on Sunday, and there is nobody behind him
Held upSep 22, 2026

Gracen Halton plays more defensive snaps than C.J. West for San Francisco against Arizona on Sunday, September 27, 2026, measured by the defensive snap counts on the Playtime Percentage pages of that game's official NFL game book. Halton's count strictly greater than West's grades RIGHT. Equal counts, or West's greater, grade WRONG. If Halton does not play and West does, WRONG; if West does not play and Halton does, RIGHT; if neither plays, VOID.

The piece that made itMiami ran 17 of its 19 first-half designed runs between the guards
MissedSep 23, 2026

Brandin Cooks plays at least one offensive snap for San Francisco against Arizona on Sunday, September 27, 2026, measured by the offensive snap counts on the Playtime Percentage pages of that game's official NFL game book. Special-teams snaps do not count. Zero offensive snaps, including not being on the game-day roster, grades this WRONG. Any route to the field counts: a practice-squad elevation or a signing to the 53.

The piece that made itFive defensive tackles made the 53, and two are still healthy
MissedSep 25, 2026

San Francisco places Nick Bosa on injured reserve at any point between September 25, 2026 and the 1:05 p.m. Pacific kickoff against Arizona on September 27, 2026, as recorded on the league transaction wire or in a 49ers release. Any injured-reserve designation counts, including designated to return. If he is not on injured reserve at kickoff, this is WRONG.

The piece that made itNick Bosa hurt his calf warming up, and four linemen will miss Arizona
MissedSep 26, 2026

Nick Bosa plays at least one defensive snap for the San Francisco 49ers in a regular-season game on or before Week 5 at Seattle on October 11, 2026, as credited on the official game book's participation page for any of the Week 3, Week 4 or Week 5 games. CORRECT if he is credited with one or more defensive snaps in any of those three games. WRONG if he is credited with none in all three, including if he is placed on injured reserve.

The piece that made itThe 49ers kept Bosa off injured reserve and put Demarcus Robinson there instead
Held upSep 28, 2026

Matt Judon, signed to the San Francisco 49ers' practice squad on September 28, 2026, is on the club's active game-day roster for its Week 4 game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, October 4, 2026. Either route counts: a standard elevation from the practice squad or a signing to the 53-man roster. The take is WRONG if he is not on that game-day roster, including if he is elevated or signed but declared inactive.

The piece that made itBosa will miss Denver, and the 49ers signed Matt Judon to the practice squad
MissedSep 29, 2026

Deebo Samuel Sr. plays at least 70 percent of the San Francisco 49ers' offensive snaps in their Week 4 game against the Denver Broncos on October 4, 2026, per the Playtime Percentage page of the official NFL game book. Exactly 70 percent grades RIGHT; the book's printed percentage decides. If Samuel is inactive or does not play an offensive snap, the take is WRONG.

The piece that made itDeebo Samuel played 76 percent of the snaps and was not targeted once

The work, newest first

The 49ers never hit Penix, and they gave Atlanta the ball four times
Takeaways

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.

Sam KezarOct 26, 20265 min read
Kirk is in line for his 49ers debut, and Evans and Samuel are both out
49ers Gameday

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.

Sam KezarOct 25, 20264 min read
Kirk is activated, and the 49ers will dress exactly 48 at Atlanta
49ers Notebook

Kirk is activated, and the 49ers will dress exactly 48 at Atlanta

The 49ers activated wide receiver Christian Kirk off injured reserve Saturday, re-signed defensive lineman Ogbo Okoronkwo to the practice squad a day after releasing him, released Kevin Givens from the practice squad and elevated Okoronkwo and linebacker Jalen Graham for Sunday at Atlanta. The club's active list now carries 54 names, six of them ruled out, which leaves exactly the 48 a team may dress if questionable corners Siran Neal and Upton Stout play. The NFL also fined Fred Warner $65,673 for two fourth-quarter hits against Washington.

Sam KezarOct 24, 20263 min read
Six 49ers are out at Atlanta, and Shanahan may dress fewer than 48
49ers Notebook

Six 49ers are out at Atlanta, and Shanahan may dress fewer than 48

The 49ers ruled out Nick Bosa, Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, Luke Gifford, Marques Sigle and Garret Wallow for Sunday at Atlanta. Christian Kirk, Siran Neal and Upton Stout are questionable; Kyle Shanahan called Kirk's tag procedural. The club released defensive lineman Ogbo Okoronkwo on Friday, opening a spot on the 53. Shanahan said the team may go into the game with fewer than the maximum 48 active, with quarterback Kurtis Rourke and possibly lineman Enrique Cruz Jr. the last two available, something he could not recall happening in his career.

Sam KezarOct 23, 20263 min read
Nick Bosa missed Thursday too, and Lynch put him in the Evans bucket
49ers Notebook

Nick Bosa missed Thursday too, and Lynch put him in the Evans bucket

Nick Bosa did not practice Thursday, per the 49ers' official report, a day after Kyle Shanahan said he hoped Bosa would. Mike Evans missed a second day, listed with ribs and Achilles tendinitis. John Lynch told KNBR that Evans's status is 'still TBD' and that Bosa is 'in that same Mike Evans bucket,' with an answer from Shanahan due Friday. Mykel Williams returned as a limited participant and Trent Williams was full after Wednesday's rest day. Eight players missed both days.

Sam KezarOct 22, 20263 min read
Half of Washington's second-half catches ended at Dugger or Warner
49ers Deep Dive

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.

Sam KezarOct 21, 20266 min read
Mykel Williams and Siran Neal are the new names on Wednesday's list
49ers Notebook

Mykel Williams and Siran Neal are the new names on Wednesday's list

Kyle Shanahan named nine 49ers who would not practice on Wednesday, the first day of Atlanta week, per the club's transcript. Seven were already hurt or inactive on Monday. The two new names are defensive end Mykel Williams (knee) and defensive back Siran Neal (knee), who both played against Washington. Nick Bosa (calf) did not practice, and Shanahan said he hopes Bosa is out there Thursday. On Mike Evans's Achilles tendinitis, Shanahan said the club managed it last week and is managing it this week. Dre Greenlaw and Christian Kirk were set to practice, per Shanahan, and Greenlaw is still on a roster exemption, not the 53. The club signed Naquan Jones back to the practice squad a day after releasing him, and released linebacker Eugene Asante to make room.

Sam KezarOct 21, 20263 min read
After Pineiro's field goal, Washington ran 40 plays and the 49ers ran nine
Takeaways

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.

Sam KezarOct 20, 20265 min read
Greenlaw's suspension is over, and Kirk still needs a roster spot
49ers Notebook

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.

Sam KezarOct 20, 20263 min read
Christian Kirk is out Monday, which leaves one game inside his practice window
49ers Notebook

Christian Kirk is out Monday, which leaves one game inside his practice window

The 49ers ruled Christian Kirk out for Monday night against Washington at 1:08 p.m. Pacific, five days after opening his practice window off injured reserve, and elevated linebacker Jalen Graham and receiver Malik Turner from the practice squad in the same release. The club has 21 days from Oct. 15 to put Kirk on the 53, and the only game left inside that window after Monday is at Atlanta on Oct. 25; the bye follows. The inactive list posted at 3:44 p.m.: Kurtis Rourke, Enrique Cruz Jr., Deebo Samuel, Garret Wallow, Marques Sigle, Nick Bosa and Naquan Jones. Mike Evans, Gracen Halton, Mykel Williams, Siran Neal and Upton Stout, all questionable Saturday, are active, and Kyle Juszczyk returns. The receivers in uniform are Evans, Brandin Cooks, Jacob Cowing, Jordan Watkins and Turner. Graham, a 2023 seventh-round pick with 15 career games, covers for Garret Wallow and the suspended Dre Greenlaw. Washington activated three players from injured reserve and put two on it.

Sam KezarOct 19, 20263 min read
Evans is a Monday decision, and without him the 53 has three healthy receivers
49ers Pregame

Evans is a Monday decision, and without him the 53 has three healthy receivers

San Francisco hosts Washington on Monday night at Levi's Stadium, 5:15 p.m. Pacific, on ESPN and ABC. Deebo Samuel is out with a hamstring and Mike Evans did not practice all week with ribs and an Achilles, which leaves Brandin Cooks, Jacob Cowing and Jordan Watkins as the receivers on the 53 without a designation. Christian Kirk is in his practice window off injured reserve and Shanahan would say only that activating him is possible. Nick Bosa sits a fourth straight game. Washington arrives 1-3-1 with Jayden Daniels back from an elbow injury, its leading rusher out, and its backup quarterback out.

Sam KezarOct 19, 20264 min read
Without Bosa, the defense Shanahan hoped would survive is third in points allowed
49ers Notebook

Without Bosa, the defense Shanahan hoped would survive is third in points allowed

Kyle Shanahan said the injuries on his defensive line had him hoping to survive until the second half of the season. Through five games the 49ers have allowed 93 points, 18.6 a game, and only Minnesota and Kansas City have allowed fewer per game. Bosa is out Monday against Washington, Halton and Mykel Williams are questionable, Malik Mustapha starts again for Marques Sigle, and Brock Purdy is five attempts from qualifying for the career passer-rating list.

Sam KezarOct 18, 20264 min read
Bosa is out Monday, which Shanahan says is what the 49ers expected
49ers Notebook

Bosa is out Monday, which Shanahan says is what the 49ers expected

Kyle Shanahan ruled out Nick Bosa (knee, calf), Deebo Samuel (hamstring), Garret Wallow (hamstring) and Marques Sigle (ankle) for Monday night against Washington. Mike Evans, Christian Kirk, Gracen Halton, Mykel Williams, Upton Stout and Siran Neal are questionable. Kyle Juszczyk is expected to play, eight days after missing Seattle. Asked whether Kirk will be activated off injured reserve, Shanahan said \"Possibly\"; the 53 is full, so that takes a corresponding move.

Sam KezarOct 17, 20263 min read
Juszczyk practiced in full, and Lynch says there is a chance he plays Monday
49ers Notebook

Juszczyk practiced in full, and Lynch says there is a chance he plays Monday

Kyle Juszczyk was a full participant in Friday's practice, 12 days after a hyperextended knee and bone bruise, and John Lynch told KNBR there is a chance he plays Washington on Monday. Christian Kirk was limited; activating him would cost someone a spot on a full 53. Nick Bosa, now listed with knee and calf, did not practice, nor did Mike Evans, Gracen Halton or Romello Height. Lynch said trade calls have picked up and that George Kittle asked him about Khalil Mack. Kittle said he asks all the time.

Sam KezarOct 16, 20263 min read
Christian Kirk returned to practice the day Mike Evans sat out
49ers Notebook

Christian Kirk returned to practice the day Mike Evans sat out

The 49ers opened Christian Kirk's 21-day practice window on Thursday, 81 days after he strained a calf on the first day of training camp, and Kyle Shanahan said he was ready to go after a strong weekend. Mike Evans did not practice with ribs and Achilles soreness, which leaves the receiver room thinner than Monday's count. Shanahan called injured reserve for Deebo Samuel 'a possibility.' Nick Bosa, James Thompson Jr. and Gracen Halton sat out Thursday; Kyle Juszczyk was limited. The club promoted Ogbo Okoronkwo to the 53 into the spot Greenlaw's suspension opened and signed linebacker Eugene Asante to the practice squad. Washington is at Levi's Stadium on Monday night.

Sam KezarOct 15, 20263 min read
The 49ers worked out four linebackers the day after Greenlaw lost his appeal
49ers Notebook

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.

Sam KezarOct 14, 20263 min read
The 49ers gave Seattle 17 points off turnovers and took 21 back
49ers Deep Dive

The 49ers gave Seattle 17 points off turnovers and took 21 back

Sunday's 32-29 win at Seattle was the first game this season in which the 49ers had to win a turnover exchange rather than avoid one. They gave the ball away three times, more than in their first four games combined, and Seattle scored 17 points off them, including both of its touchdowns. The 49ers scored 21 off four takeaways, and all three of their first-half touchdowns came on Seattle possessions that started inside the Seattle 12 after a Corliss Waitman punt. Seattle's five field-goal drives died between the San Francisco 22 and 32, three of them after sacks. The 49ers' own offense scored 11 points on nine possessions that did not start with a takeaway, both scores after Deebo Samuel left. Opponents have now scored eight touchdowns and kicked 12 field goals in five games.

Sam KezarOct 13, 20266 min read
Deebo Samuel will miss some time, leaving the 49ers four available receivers
49ers Notebook

Deebo Samuel will miss some time, leaving the 49ers four available receivers

Kyle Shanahan said on a conference call Monday that Deebo Samuel's hamstring \"got him pretty good\" and he will miss some time, so the 49ers will most likely activate a practice-squad receiver for Washington next Monday night. The NFL suspended Dre Greenlaw one game without pay for head-butting Seattle's Ernest Jones IV; his appeal is heard Tuesday, and his 2025 appeal of a one-game suspension was denied. Garret Wallow strained a hamstring and is out at least a couple of weeks, which leaves four linebackers. Nick Bosa, Kyle Juszczyk and James Thompson Jr. have a chance for Week 6, and Nick Martin is getting close.

Sam KezarOct 12, 20264 min read
Seattle's turnovers made 21 points, and the 49ers still needed the last kick
Takeaways

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.

Sam KezarOct 12, 20265 min read
Seattle has not let the 49ers score a touchdown since last season's opener
Game Week

Seattle has not let the 49ers score a touchdown since last season's opener

San Francisco (4-0) plays at Seattle (3-1) at 1:25 p.m. Pacific on FOX. The 49ers scored three field goals and no touchdowns in last season's two losses to the Seahawks, 13-3 in Week 18 and 41-6 in the divisional round. Brock Purdy has not been sacked this season. Nick Bosa, James Thompson Jr., Kyle Juszczyk and Marques Sigle are out; Upton Stout is questionable; Mykel Williams makes his season debut. Ten men to watch.

Sam KezarOct 11, 20264 min read
Mykel Williams is back, and Matthew Judon paid for it
49ers Notebook

Mykel Williams is back, and Matthew Judon paid for it

The 49ers activated Mykel Williams off the physically unable to perform list on Saturday and removed his questionable tag for Sunday at Seattle. Ogbo Okoronkwo, released Friday to open the roster spot, signed back to the practice squad and was elevated for the game along with tight end Jack Stoll. Matthew Judon was released from the practice squad to make room, per NBC Sports. Nick Bosa, James Thompson Jr., Kyle Juszczyk and Marques Sigle are out; Upton Stout is questionable.

Sam KezarOct 10, 20263 min read
The 49ers released Ogbo Okoronkwo to make room for Mykel Williams
49ers Notebook

The 49ers released Ogbo Okoronkwo to make room for Mykel Williams

The 49ers released defensive lineman Ogbo Okoronkwo on Friday, leaving 52 on the active roster, and Kyle Shanahan said Mykel Williams will be activated from the physically unable to perform list on Saturday. Nick Bosa, Kyle Juszczyk, Marques Sigle and James Thompson Jr. are out at Seattle. Upton Stout, who did not practice Friday, and Williams are questionable. Mike Evans practiced on a limited basis and has no game designation.

Sam KezarOct 9, 20263 min read
Upton Stout is back at practice in a no-contact jersey
49ers Notebook

Upton Stout is back at practice in a no-contact jersey

Upton Stout returned to practice Thursday in a blue no-contact jersey and was limited on the club's report; Kyle Shanahan said there is potential he plays Sunday. Mike Evans did not practice after being limited Wednesday. Shanahan said Mykel Williams should be good to go. John Lynch told KNBR that Kyle Juszczyk's injury looked like a torn ACL and is a bone bruise. The 49ers reached an injury settlement with Dante Pettis.

Sam KezarOct 8, 20263 min read
Mykel Williams says he is ready to play Seattle after a year away
49ers Notebook

Mykel Williams says he is ready to play Seattle after a year away

Mykel Williams, back from a torn ACL, was limited Wednesday and told reporters he is ready to play. The 49ers opened his practice window Sept. 30 and must activate him by Oct. 21; the 53 is full, so activating him takes a move. Nick Bosa, James Thompson Jr., Kyle Juszczyk, Marques Sigle and Upton Stout did not practice. Xavier Smith joined the practice squad and Dante Pettis went on practice squad injured reserve.

Sam KezarOct 7, 20263 min read
Denver built Sunday's zero. The hits that left with Bosa were Odighizuwa's
49ers Deep Dive

Denver built Sunday's zero. The hits that left with Bosa were Odighizuwa's

San Francisco did not sack Bo Nix in Sunday's 24-14 win over Denver and hit him twice, both in the fourth quarter. The zero was mostly Denver's design: Nix threw 36 of 42 passes short, Denver had allowed five sacks in three games, and the 49ers' own priority was keeping Nix in the pocket, which held him to two scrambles. The season numbers say something else. With Nick Bosa the 49ers were credited with 13 quarterback hits on 55 opponent pass plays; without him, 7 on 96. Bosa had one of the 13. Osa Odighizuwa had five, and he has had none since Bosa got hurt. Bosa is not expected back for Seattle.

Sam KezarOct 6, 20266 min read
Kyle Juszczyk will miss a few weeks and the 49ers have no other fullback
49ers Notebook

Kyle Juszczyk will miss a few weeks and the 49ers have no other fullback

Kyle Shanahan said Monday that Kyle Juszczyk has a hyperextended knee and a bone bruise and will miss a few weeks, that Marques Sigle has a high ankle sprain, and that Upton Stout is day to day with a sprained AC joint. Brayden Willis, Luke Farrell and George Kittle share the fullback's work. Nick Bosa and James Thompson Jr. are probably out again at Seattle; Mykel Williams could be activated.

Sam KezarOct 5, 20263 min read
Week 4 takeaways: three points in seven drives, then Siran Neal forced a fumble
49ers Takeaways

Week 4 takeaways: three points in seven drives, then Siran Neal forced a fumble

San Francisco is 4-0 after a 24-14 win over Denver. It was 3-3 at halftime and the 49ers had punted four times, been stopped on fourth down and had a field goal blocked before Siran Neal forced and recovered a fumble on a punt return at the Denver 28. Touchdowns followed on three straight possessions, the last a 56-yard George Kittle catch and run with 2:15 left. Purdy was 19 of 30 for 218 yards and two touchdowns and was not sacked for the fourth straight game. Mike Evans played 39 of 66 snaps with a rib injury and led the team with 76 receiving yards. Kyle Juszczyk (knee), Upton Stout (shoulder) and Marques Sigle (ankle) were hurt, and none has a diagnosis.

Sam KezarOct 5, 20265 min read
Denver's 68-sack defense is next for Brock Purdy, who has not been sacked
Game Week

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.

Sam KezarOct 4, 20264 min read
Matt Judon, sackless last season, is up for the Bosa week
49ers Notebook

Matt Judon, sackless last season, is up for the Bosa week

The 49ers promoted defensive tackle Sebastian Valdez from the practice squad to the active roster and waived Viliami Fehoko Jr. on Saturday. Matthew Judon and Malik Turner were elevated for Sunday's game against Denver. With Nick Bosa and James Thompson Jr. ruled out, nine defensive linemen are available, Judon included.

Sam KezarOct 3, 20263 min read
Mike Evans practiced Friday, but he is a game-time decision against Denver
49ers Notebook

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.

Sam KezarOct 2, 20263 min read
Brandin Cooks needed eight days on the 49ers' practice squad to reach the 53
49ers Notebook

Brandin Cooks needed eight days on the 49ers' practice squad to reach the 53

The 49ers promoted receiver Brandin Cooks to the active roster on Thursday, signed receiver Malik Turner to the practice squad and released KhaDarel Hodge. Mike Evans (ribs) missed a second straight practice. Trent Williams returned, limited, from a neck stinger. Brock Purdy was named NFC Offensive Player of the Month.

Sam KezarOct 1, 20263 min read
Dante Pettis is back because the 49ers have three healthy receivers
49ers Notebook

Dante Pettis is back because the 49ers have three healthy receivers

Kyle Shanahan said before Wednesday's practice that eight players would not work: Mike Evans (ribs), KhaDarel Hodge (knee), Trent Williams (neck stinger), Dre Greenlaw (quad), Nick Bosa (calf), James Thompson Jr. (ankle), Keion White (hamstring) and Christian McCaffrey (rest). Mykel Williams, back from a torn ACL, and Romello Height, back from hand surgery, were limited. The club signed receiver Dante Pettis to its practice squad.

Sam KezarSep 30, 20263 min read
Arizona stopped itself three times, and then it scored on six of seven drives
49ers Deep Dive

Arizona stopped itself three times, and then it scored on six of seven drives

The 49ers beat Arizona 36-30 and are 3-0, but the defense's stops came mostly from Arizona's own flags. Each of the Cardinals' first three possessions stalled after an offensive penalty and ended in a punt. After that Arizona scored on six of seven possessions, including two 14-play touchdown drives. No Arizona play from scrimmage went longer than 19 yards, and Jacoby Brissett threw 52 times. Opponents have converted 2 of 9, 7 of 15 and 9 of 18 third downs across the first three weeks. Bosa and James Thompson Jr. are out against Denver on Sunday.

Sam KezarSep 29, 20266 min read
Deebo Samuel played 76 percent of the snaps and was not targeted once
49ers Roster

Deebo Samuel played 76 percent of the snaps and was not targeted once

San Francisco has five wide receivers on its 53-man roster for Sunday against Denver: Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel Sr., KhaDarel Hodge, Jacob Cowing and Jordan Watkins. Evans left the Arizona game with a rib injury that Shanahan called not long-term. Samuel played 41 of 54 offensive snaps on Sunday, Hodge played 30 and has no official target, and Cowing has 46 snaps and no catch this season. Brandin Cooks is on the practice squad and was not elevated for Arizona. Christian Kirk cannot play before Week 5.

Sam KezarSep 29, 20263 min read
Week 3 takeaways: Arizona had the ball for 38 minutes and never led
49ers Takeaways

Week 3 takeaways: Arizona had the ball for 38 minutes and never led

San Francisco is 3-0 after a 36-30 win over Arizona. The 49ers led from the 8:26 mark of the first quarter to the end while running 50 offensive plays to Arizona's 81, and averaged 8.7 yards a play to Arizona's 4.5. Purdy was 15 of 27 for 297 yards, four touchdowns, no interception and no sack. Kittle caught both fourth-quarter touchdowns, the second two snaps after his own holding penalty wiped out a 45-yard Purdy touchdown run. Jordan Watkins caught two passes for 60 yards in his first game of the season. The defense was on the field for 87 snaps with nine linemen dressed. Evans (rib or oblique) and Trent Williams (stinger) left and did not return; Greenlaw left with a quad.

Sam KezarSep 28, 20265 min read
Bosa will miss Denver, and the 49ers signed Matt Judon to the practice squad
49ers Notebook

Bosa will miss Denver, and the 49ers signed Matt Judon to the practice squad

The 49ers signed four-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Matt Judon to their practice squad on Monday, filling it to 17. Kyle Shanahan said Nick Bosa and James Thompson Jr. will not play against Denver, Mike Evans's rib injury should not be long-term, and Trent Williams should be ready by Thursday. Romello Height is expected to practice this week and Mykel Williams's practice window opens.

Sam KezarSep 28, 20263 min read
Shanahan has lost six of his ten defensive linemen. Arizona gets the rest.
Game Week

Shanahan has lost six of his ten defensive linemen. Arizona gets the rest.

San Francisco (2-0) hosts Arizona (1-1) at 1:05 p.m. Pacific on FOX. The 49ers play without Nick Bosa, Romello Height, James Thompson Jr. and C.J. West, four of the nine defensive linemen who played against Miami, and Kyle Shanahan says six of the ten linemen who made the team have been lost in two weeks. Viliami Fehoko Jr. and Sebastian Valdez are in line for their NFL debuts. Mike Evans is questionable and Jordan Watkins is set for his season debut. Arizona lost 31-7 to Seattle last week and has put cornerback Will Johnson on injured reserve. Ten men to watch.

Sam KezarSep 27, 20264 min read
The 49ers kept Bosa off injured reserve and put Demarcus Robinson there instead
49ers Notebook

The 49ers kept Bosa off injured reserve and put Demarcus Robinson there instead

The 49ers kept Nick Bosa on the 53-man roster on Saturday and placed receiver Demarcus Robinson on injured reserve. Defensive lineman Viliami Fehoko Jr. was promoted from the practice squad into Robinson's spot, and defensive linemen Kevin Givens and Sebastian Valdez were elevated for Sunday's game against Arizona. Matt Judon was among four free agents who worked out for the club. Brandin Cooks was not elevated, and Jordan Watkins is expected to make his season debut.

Sam KezarSep 26, 20263 min read
Nick Bosa hurt his calf warming up, and four linemen will miss Arizona
49ers Notebook

Nick Bosa hurt his calf warming up, and four linemen will miss Arizona

Nick Bosa hurt his calf in individual warmups before Thursday's practice and is out against Arizona. Kyle Shanahan said he will miss a few weeks. Romello Height, James Thompson Jr. and Demarcus Robinson are also out, and Mike Evans is questionable after practicing on a limited basis Friday. With C.J. West on injured reserve, four of the nine defensive linemen who played against Miami will not play Sunday. The club expects to make its injured-reserve decisions on Saturday.

Sam KezarSep 26, 20263 min read
Five defensive tackles made the 53, and two are still healthy
49ers Notebook

Five defensive tackles made the 53, and two are still healthy

San Francisco put defensive tackle C.J. West on injured reserve before Wednesday's practice. He has a bone chip in his knee and needs surgery, and Kyle Shanahan said it is not season-ending. The club signed Naquan Jones to the 53 from Minnesota's practice squad, and signed Brandin Cooks and Viliami Fehoko Jr. to the practice squad. Mike Evans, Demarcus Robinson, James Thompson Jr. and Romello Height did not practice because of injuries. Shanahan said Height is still an outside chance to play Arizona on Sunday.

Sam KezarSep 23, 20263 min read
Miami ran 17 of its 19 first-half designed runs between the guards
Week 3 Depth Chart

Miami ran 17 of its 19 first-half designed runs between the guards

Two days after the 35-13 win over Miami, the official game books show where opponents are running against San Francisco: 42 of 54 designed runs across two games went up the middle or over a guard, for 4.0 yards a carry. Miami sent 17 of its 19 first-half designed runs inside for 74 yards. Fox analyst Daryl Johnston said on the broadcast that Kyle Shanahan had flagged the between-the-tackles run defense as a concern. James Thompson Jr., who took 42 defensive snaps across the two games, has a high-ankle sprain, and Gracen Halton, who made his first career start Sunday, has out-snapped C.J. West 63 to 49.

Sam KezarSep 22, 20264 min read
Opponents have reached the 49ers' red zone five times and scored one touchdown
Week 2 Analysis

Opponents have reached the 49ers' red zone five times and scored one touchdown

Two days after the 35-13 win over Miami, the two game books describe a defense that is hard to finish against and easy to move against. Opponents have gained 5.1 yards a play in both games and reached the San Francisco 20 five times for one touchdown. Miami spent 19:17 on its first three possessions and got six points, twice reaching goal to go and twice kicking. San Francisco's first four sacks of the season came either inside its own red zone or with a lead of 15 or more, and Nick Bosa is credited with none of them, and with no quarterback hit either, on 40 of 59 defensive snaps. PFF's charting of the same game puts him ahead of every other 49er in total pressures.

Sam KezarSep 22, 20266 min read
Brock Purdy goes first in a redraft of 2022. That weekend his class was a C+
Draft Regrade

Brock Purdy goes first in a redraft of 2022. That weekend his class was a C+

Draft Regrade, a standing page at /49ers/draft-regrade/, grades all 53 San Francisco draft picks from 2021 to 2026: every one for the process on draft weekend, from sources dated no later than the Monday after, and every one but this year's eight for the result at the end of every season, as a letter computed from playing time, position pay, public honors and the pick's slot. The six process grades, written September 22: 2026 B, 2025 C-, 2024 B-, 2023 C, 2022 C+, 2021 B-. The result letters say something else: the 2022 class has ranked 2nd and then 3rd of 32 on Brock Purdy alone, who goes first of 261 in a redraft, and the 2025 class sits 32nd of 32 after one season with its first-round pick at F.

Sam KezarSep 22, 20268 min read
Week 2 takeaways: five touchdowns before San Francisco's first punt
49ers Takeaways

Week 2 takeaways: five touchdowns before San Francisco's first punt

San Francisco is 2-0 after a 35-13 win over Miami in the home opener. The 49ers scored touchdowns on their first five drives and did not punt until 10:38 of the fourth quarter. Purdy was 20 of 22 for 287 yards and two touchdowns with a 149.1 rating and no sack taken. The defense recorded four sacks after none in Week 1, from Marques Sigle, Keion White, Romello Height and a Warner-Stout split, none from Bosa. Miami had first and goal twice and came away with six points. Eddy Piñeiro, the kicker the week was spent on, attempted no field goal.

Sam KezarSep 21, 20265 min read
The 49ers won by 22 and came out of it needing a receiver and a lineman
49ers Roster

The 49ers won by 22 and came out of it needing a receiver and a lineman

Shanahan's Monday conference call produced four injury verdicts. Robinson and Thompson Jr. both have high-ankle sprains at three to six weeks, Robinson most likely to injured reserve. Height broke his hand and has surgery Tuesday, with an outside chance of playing at Arizona. Mike Evans has a hip that will be managed through the week. The receiver room is down to five men on the active roster with three on injured reserve, and the defensive line has now lost three players in two games. Shanahan, asked on Sunday about Leonard Floyd, said the club has already made calls.

Sam KezarSep 21, 20264 min read
San Francisco won by 20 without a sack. Miami gave up five.
Game Week

San Francisco won by 20 without a sack. Miami gave up five.

San Francisco hosts Miami at 1:25 p.m. Pacific on FOX in its home opener. The 49ers beat the Rams 27-7 in Melbourne without a sack, taking eight quarterback hits instead, four of them by Osa Odighizuwa. Miami lost 27-13 at Las Vegas behind Malik Willis, who was sacked five times. Eddy Piñeiro is questionable with an illness that cost him all three practices, and the club auditioned two kickers Saturday and signed neither. Ten men to watch, and the reason the first one is the kicker.

Sam KezarSep 20, 20264 min read
Eddy Piñeiro will kick on Sunday, and there is nobody behind him
Roster Report

Eddy Piñeiro will kick on Sunday, and there is nobody behind him

Eddy Piñeiro has not kicked in a practice since the Melbourne game week ended, and Matt Maiocco reported Saturday that he will kick against Miami anyway. San Francisco auditioned Younghoe Koo and Greg Joseph and kept neither, so it carries one kicker into the home opener, counted across all four of the club's roster lists at 2:57pm. Ogbo Okoronkwo was promoted to the active roster and De'Zhaun Stribling went on injured reserve three days after ankle surgery. The league fined Kyle Juszczyk $20,033 and Jake Tonges $9,266 for plays in Melbourne.

Sam KezarSep 19, 20264 min read
San Francisco will sign a kicker on Saturday, and it has not worked one out
Practice Notebook

San Francisco will sign a kicker on Saturday, and it has not worked one out

San Francisco filed its final Week 2 injury report after Friday's practice with three game designations on it: De'Zhaun Stribling out, Eddy Piñeiro and Kaelon Black questionable. Piñeiro has not practised since the Melbourne game week ended, and the club's roster page carried no second kicker anywhere on Friday afternoon. Kyle Shanahan said San Francisco will add one on Saturday, that two men are under consideration, and that he does not know which. Nine of the twelve names on the report practised in full.

Sam KezarSep 18, 20264 min read
The 49ers rested four veterans Wednesday, and three were full a day later
Game Week

The 49ers rested four veterans Wednesday, and three were full a day later

San Francisco filed its first official Week 2 injury report this week, and eleven 49ers were on it. Six did not practise Wednesday and four of those six were rest days: Nick Bosa, Dre Greenlaw, Christian McCaffrey and Trent Williams. By Thursday, Greenlaw, McCaffrey and Williams were full participants and Bosa was limited. The two men who have not practised either day are Eddy Piñeiro, who is ill, and De'Zhaun Stribling, whose ankle needed surgery. Kaelon Black joined the report Thursday with a groin. Every man on Thursday's report played against the Rams in Melbourne.

Sam KezarSep 17, 20265 min read
Stribling is out ten weeks, and the club says it doesn't need another receiver
49ers Notebook

Stribling is out ten weeks, and the club says it doesn't need another receiver

Kyle Shanahan spoke before Wednesday's practice, his first availability since the flight home from Melbourne, and answered the two questions the opener left open. De'Zhaun Stribling had ankle surgery and will miss close to ten weeks, a window that covers nine games. Jake Tonges had knee surgery, is out for the season and went on injured reserve Wednesday. KhaDarel Hodge was promoted to the 53-man roster in the same transaction and Jack Stoll signed to the practice squad, one day after the club worked him out. Shanahan said San Francisco does not need to add a receiver. Stribling was still on the club's Active table at 4:53 p.m. Pacific.

Sam KezarSep 16, 20264 min read
San Francisco Promoted A Fourth Tight End And Worked Out Three More
49ers Roster

San Francisco Promoted A Fourth Tight End And Worked Out Three More

San Francisco promoted tight end Brayden Willis from the practice squad to the active roster on Tuesday morning and signed defensive lineman McKinnley Jackson to the practice squad. The promotion fills the roster spot Alfred Collins vacated on September 10 and puts the active roster back at 53. Hours later the NFL's transaction report showed the club had worked out five players, three of them tight ends. Jake Tonges, who played eight snaps in Melbourne before he was hurt, remains on the active roster with no injury designation and no published imaging result, and the club's Week 2 injury report does not exist yet. Willis has played 23 regular-season games, all with the 49ers, and has no career receptions.

Sam KezarSep 15, 20264 min read
George Kittle Started And Played 30 Snaps. Luke Farrell Did Not Start And Played 46.
49ers Notebook

George Kittle Started And Played 30 Snaps. Luke Farrell Did Not Start And Played 46.

The NFL's official game book for Week 1 puts George Kittle at 30 of San Francisco's 65 offensive snaps and 46 percent, Luke Farrell at 46 snaps and 71 percent, and Jake Tonges at eight snaps and 12 percent before he was hurt. Farrell also played 18 of the 49ers' 20 special-teams snaps, the highest special-teams snap share of any San Francisco player in the game. Kittle started; Farrell did not. Shanahan's postgame words on Tonges were an MCL with no timetable, and as of 2:50 p.m. Pacific Monday the club's transaction log still ends on September 10, Tonges is still on the active roster page, and the Week 2 injury report page carries no San Francisco table. The only other tight ends the club employs, Khalil Dinkins and Brayden Willis, are on the practice squad.

Sam KezarSep 14, 20264 min read
De'Zhaun Stribling Is Out At Least A Month, And Injured Reserve Would Cost At Most One Game More
The rookie receiver

De'Zhaun Stribling Is Out At Least A Month, And Injured Reserve Would Cost At Most One Game More

De'Zhaun Stribling has a deltoid sprain in his ankle and is out at least a month, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reported Sunday morning; the rookie is still seeking opinions and may need surgery, though none is planned. San Francisco has filed nothing: read at 4:50 p.m. Pacific Sunday, the club's transaction log still ends on September 10 and Stribling is still on the Active table. The reported month rules him out of Miami on September 20, Arizona on September 27 and Denver on October 4 whether he goes on injured reserve or not. The four-game minimum that comes with the designation adds at most one more, October 11 at Lumen Field, and Christian Kirk becomes eligible to return from injured reserve for that same game. The first club document that has to say anything is Wednesday's injury report; Nick Avila of NBC Sports Bay Area reported that the players do not practise until then. Behind Stribling the active roster carries Mike Evans, Demarcus Robinson, Deebo Samuel, Jacob Cowing and Jordan Watkins, and Watkins was inactive in Melbourne. One take filed, priced at -120.

Sam KezarSep 13, 20264 min read
San Francisco Has The Two Highest Run Defense Grades In The League So Far, And Four Of The Ten Lowest
Week 1 Analysis

San Francisco Has The Two Highest Run Defense Grades In The League So Far, And Four Of The Ten Lowest

Two days after the 27-7 win over the Rams in Melbourne, the tape and the grading layer say San Francisco's run defense is two things at once. PFF's Week 1 grades have Fred Warner first and Nick Bosa second of the 59 defenders with ten or more run defense snaps, and the four interior linemen the 49ers rotated are all in the bottom ten of the same list. San Francisco lost starting defensive tackle Alfred Collins to a torn patellar tendon at practice three days before kickoff. The Rams averaged 4.2 a carry and never broke a run longer than 13 yards, and their best drive died on fourth and one at the 1.

Sam KezarSep 12, 20266 min read
Fred Warner Is The 49ers' Career Tackle Leader, On The Column That Counts Assists
49ers Notebook

Fred Warner Is The 49ers' Career Tackle Leader, On The Column That Counts Assists

Fred Warner became San Francisco's all-time leading tackler in the second quarter of the season opener in Melbourne, passing Patrick Willis, who held the franchise record at 950. Warner entered the season at 948 and finished the game at 959 in 122 games. The record is kept on combined tackles, solo plus assisted, and on solo tackles alone Willis still leads him 733 to 602. Kyle Shanahan gave an MCL for Jake Tonges and an ankle for De'Zhaun Stribling with no timetable on either, and the club has filed no transaction on either man.

Sam KezarSep 11, 20264 min read
San Francisco Stopped The Rams On Fourth And One At Its Own 1, Then Drove 99 Yards
Week 1 Takeaways

San Francisco Stopped The Rams On Fourth And One At Its Own 1, Then Drove 99 Yards

The 49ers opened 1-0 with a 27-7 win over the Rams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Thursday evening in the Bay Area and Friday morning in Australia. Los Angeles reached the San Francisco 1 in the third quarter and turned the ball over on downs; San Francisco answered with an 11-play, 99-yard touchdown drive. Connor Colby started at left guard and the whole line played every snap, George Kittle played 30 of 65 in his return, Kaelon Black carried more often than Christian McCaffrey, and De'Zhaun Stribling started at receiver without being thrown to. Nine takeaways off the official game book.

Sam KezarSep 11, 20265 min read
Aaron Donald Did Not Travel And Myles Garrett Did
49ers Pregame

Aaron Donald Did Not Travel And Myles Garrett Did

San Francisco plays Los Angeles at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday, 5:35 p.m. Pacific, on Netflix. Alfred Collins tore his patellar tendon at the second Melbourne practice and is out for the season, the only San Francisco player on the final Week 1 report carrying a game designation apart from James Thompson Jr., who is questionable with a hamstring. Nick Bosa and George Kittle carry no designation at all. On the Rams sheet Aaron Donald is out and did not travel, and Myles Garrett went from not practising to full participation and plays.

Sam KezarSep 10, 20264 min read
Nobody San Francisco Added Thursday Plays Defensive Tackle
Game Week

Nobody San Francisco Added Thursday Plays Defensive Tackle

San Francisco placed DL Alfred Collins on injured reserve and activated WR KhaDarel Hodge and DL Ogbo Okoronkwo from its practice squad as standard elevations, all three moves in one release published at 1:53 p.m. Pacific on Thursday, three hours and forty-two minutes before the season opener against the Los Angeles Rams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Hodge and Okoronkwo revert to the practice squad after the game, and a standard elevation is capped at three per player per season. Neither plays defensive tackle. The club's depth chart, stamped September 8 and labelled unofficial, lists four men at the two tackle spots: Osa Odighizuwa at 280 pounds and C.J. West at 316 on the left, Collins and then rookies Gracen Halton at 293 and James Thompson Jr. at 308 on the right. Thompson was Questionable with a hamstring, the only game designation San Francisco issued for the opener. The inactive lists resolved it: six San Francisco names, none of them a defensive lineman, and Thompson dresses. That leaves right defensive tackle to two rookies. The report the club distributed at 12:23 a.m. Pacific has Halton at full participation for the last Melbourne practice; the table on the club's own injury-report page, read at 2:51 p.m., still showed him limited and left his injury column blank. The practice squad holds three defensive linemen heavier than Okoronkwo's 253 pounds, including Kevin Givens, the man the club waived on August 5 to sign Hodge and Okoronkwo. Counted in a browser at 2:53 p.m. Pacific, the roster page carried 54 on Active, 12 on injured reserve, two on Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform and 15 on the practice squad, which puts 52 players on a roster that may hold 53. The Active table held eight defensive linemen. The transaction log still ended on September 5. One take filed.

Sam KezarSep 10, 20264 min read
Seven Of San Francisco's Nine Rookies Are Listed Second At A Position For The Opener
Week 1 Preview

Seven Of San Francisco's Nine Rookies Are Listed Second At A Position For The Opener

San Francisco opens the 2026 season against Los Angeles at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday at 5:35 p.m. Pacific, 10:35 a.m. Friday in Melbourne, on Netflix, with radio on KSFO 810 AM and KSAN 107.7 FM. The club's roster page, counted in a browser on Thursday morning, carries 53 active players and exactly nine rookies. Seven of those nine are listed second at a position on the club's own website depth chart, stamped September 8 and labelled unofficial; the other two are listed third. None is listed first. The club's final injury report, published at 12:23 a.m. Pacific Thursday, issued two game designations: DL Alfred Collins out with a knee, which Kyle Shanahan said is a torn patellar tendon that ends his season, and rookie DL James Thompson Jr. questionable with a hamstring. Nick Bosa, knee, and George Kittle, achilles, were limited at all three Melbourne practices and carry no designation. Shanahan on the two of them: 'We've got to be smart with that. They both look great but we've definitely got to be smart with that.' Bosa said he is '100 percent ready to go for the first game.' Luke Gifford, Renardo Green, Dre Greenlaw, Gracen Halton and Romello Height all progressed to full participation at the last practice. Kyle Juszczyk stayed limited with a finger. Los Angeles ruled out Aaron Donald, filed under rest. Inactives land 90 minutes before kickoff. Ten players to watch, and the club's own chart still lists two men who cannot play.

Sam KezarSep 10, 20265 min read
The Two Names That Moved On Wednesday's Injury Report Both Play Right Defensive Tackle
Game Week

The Two Names That Moved On Wednesday's Injury Report Both Play Right Defensive Tackle

San Francisco's second injury report of Week 1, distributed by the club's communications staff and published by David Bonilla at 49ers Webzone at about 2:57 p.m. Pacific on Wednesday, carries the same eleven San Francisco names as Tuesday's and moves exactly two of them. Alfred Collins goes from limited participation to did not participate, filed under a knee; Kyle Shanahan said this week that Collins tore a patellar tendon and is out for the year. James Thompson Jr. goes from did not participate to limited, and Shanahan had said before the last practice that Thompson's availability would be settled by how that session went, per Patrick Holloway and Kyle Posey at Niners Nation. The two men are first and third at right defensive tackle on the club's own chart. Nick Bosa, limited on both reports, said after the final full practice that he is '100% ready to go' and that he had not yet talked to defensive line coach Kris Kocurek about a snap limit. George Kittle, also limited both days, said his body feels good and that he does not know his workload. Shanahan said the club has to be smart with both, and called Christian McCaffrey 'Awesome. Ready to go.' Bonilla writes that San Francisco held no full practice on Wednesday and had a walk-through scheduled. On the Rams' side everyone but Aaron Donald improved: Myles Garrett went from did not participate to full. Neither the distributed report as published nor the club's own injury report page, read at 3:04 p.m. and again at 4:52 p.m. Pacific, carries a game status for anybody. On the roster page nothing was processed: 53 active, 17 practice squad, 11 on injured reserve, 2 on Active/PUP, Collins still on the Active table.

Sam KezarSep 9, 20265 min read
Nick Bosa Was Limited In Melbourne And The Only Man Who Did Not Practice Was An Undrafted Rookie
Practice Notebook

Nick Bosa Was Limited In Melbourne And The Only Man Who Did Not Practice Was An Undrafted Rookie

Nick Bosa and Christian McCaffrey returned to the field for San Francisco's second Melbourne practice after doing no drills at the first, per Matt Barrows at The Athletic and Matt Maiocco at NBC Sports Bay Area, both filing at about 3:42 a.m. Pacific on Tuesday. The club's first official participation report of the season followed at about 3:10 p.m. Pacific and listed eleven men. James Thompson Jr., a rookie defensive tackle with a hamstring strain, was the only non-participant. Nine were limited, Bosa and George Kittle among them, and cornerback Upton Stout was the lone full participant. Christian McCaffrey carries no designation at all. Defensive coordinator Raheem Morris said of Bosa, 'He's going out there. Whatever you want to say, he's going. He'll be there. We're not hiding that.' Los Angeles will not have Aaron Donald, who is not travelling to Australia, and listed Myles Garrett among five non-participants with a knee. On the roster page, Victor Dimukeje came off injured reserve, taking that list from twelve to eleven.

Sam KezarSep 8, 20265 min read
Nick Bosa And Christian McCaffrey Did No Drills In The Open Portion Of The First Melbourne Practice
Practice Notebook

Nick Bosa And Christian McCaffrey Did No Drills In The Open Portion Of The First Melbourne Practice

Nick Bosa and Christian McCaffrey did not take part in drills during the portion of San Francisco's first Melbourne practice open to reporters, per Matt Maiocco at NBC Sports Bay Area and Matt Barrows at The Athletic. San Francisco plays the Rams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday at 5:35 p.m. Pacific. Reporters leave before team drills, and the club was not required to file a participation report, so what either man did after that is not public. Shanahan said the time difference meant he did not have to talk about injuries until the following day, and did not. George Kittle and Mike Evans practised. Barrows listed six men back from injury: Renardo Green, Romello Height, Jacob Cowing, Vederian Lowe, Gracen Halton and Luke Gifford. Five of the six who sat out the September 2 practice in Santa Clara are on that list; James Thompson Jr. is on no list either way. The club named eight captains, all eight returning from 2025, and Bosa and McCaffrey are two of them. Brayden Willis is back on the practice squad, which now sits at seventeen.

Sam KezarSep 7, 20265 min read
Connor Colby And Kaelon Black Fill The Two Jobs Shanahan Called Fluid
Depth Chart

Connor Colby And Kaelon Black Fill The Two Jobs Shanahan Called Fluid

San Francisco's public depth chart carried an empty box at left guard from August 27 until this week. Read at 2:52 p.m. Pacific on Sunday, it is stamped 09/4/26 and lists Connor Colby first at left guard and Carver Willis second. It also lists Kaelon Black second at running back ahead of Jordan James, which is the other job Kyle Shanahan called fluid on August 31, and George Kittle and Nick Bosa as starters. Colby was the incumbent in July, was passed by Robert Jones and then by Willis in August, and is first again on the club's own page. Jarrett Patterson, traded for to compete at guard, is listed second at center. The chart predates three roster moves and has one empty box left, at long snapper. The first Melbourne practice is Sunday at 7:50 p.m. Pacific.

Sam KezarSep 6, 20264 min read
Every Under Is A Man Coming Off A Lost Season
Called Shots

Every Under Is A Man Coming Off A Lost Season

Seventeen season lines, one side taken on each: the 49ers over 9.5 wins, Christian McCaffrey over 900 rushing yards and over 12.5 touchdowns, Brock Purdy over 3,600 passing yards and 27 combined touchdowns, and team sacks over 35 after a 20.0-sack 2025. The three unders are Mike Evans at 900 receiving yards, George Kittle at 700 and Nick Bosa at 12 sacks, and each is a bet on a calendar rather than a player. Thirteen of the seventeen file to the Called Shots ledger and grade when the regular season ends. Four do not: the Deebo Samuel and Nick Bosa lines and the two team-defense lines are argued here and not filed, because at an honest price each of the four is closer to a statement than a call.

Sam KezarSep 6, 20268 min read
Sam Okuayinonu Went On Injured Reserve And The Long Snapper Came Up
Roster

Sam Okuayinonu Went On Injured Reserve And The Long Snapper Came Up

San Francisco placed Sam Okuayinonu on injured reserve and signed defensive lineman Khalid Kareem to a one-year deal on Friday, and on Saturday, from Melbourne, signed long snapper Jon Weeks off its practice squad and waived tight end Brayden Willis. Two men off the 53, two on, and the count holds. Matt Maiocco reports Okuayinonu is out indefinitely with a foot injury sustained at Wednesday's practice in Santa Clara, and gives Kareem's two seasons under Raheem Morris in Atlanta as most of the reason he is the replacement. The Weeks signing closes a question that has been open since cut day: San Francisco carried no long snapper on its active roster for six days, and a practice-squad player may be elevated to a game-day roster no more than three times in a season. Kickoff at the Melbourne Cricket Ground is Thursday at 5:35 p.m. Pacific, which is Friday morning there.

Sam KezarSep 5, 20264 min read
The Club Ruled Out Sam Okuayinonu Six Days Before Kickoff
Roster

The Club Ruled Out Sam Okuayinonu Six Days Before Kickoff

San Francisco announced on Friday that Sam Okuayinonu has been ruled out of the September 10 opener against the Rams with a foot injury, a downgrade from the questionable designation it gave him on Wednesday night when it left him behind. David Bonilla at 49ers Webzone has the club's wording. The ruling comes six days before kickoff and before any Week 1 injury report is due, because the ordinary game-week sequence does not apply to a player who is 7,855 miles from his team. Okuayinonu started twelve of the fifteen games he played last season, and the club's own injury-report archive lists him out for Week 13 and Week 15, the two games missing from that fifteen. Nine defensive linemen sat on the active roster on Friday afternoon and eight of them are in Melbourne. Three of those eight did not practise on Wednesday and a fourth, Nick Bosa, did team work that day for the first time since August 3. Hours after the ruling, Greg Auman of FOX Sports reported that San Francisco is signing edge rusher Khalid Kareem off Atlanta's practice squad to the active roster and flying him to Melbourne.

Sam KezarSep 4, 20264 min read
Eight Of San Francisco's Nine Defensive Linemen Landed In Melbourne
Roster

Eight Of San Francisco's Nine Defensive Linemen Landed In Melbourne

San Francisco carries nine defensive linemen on its active roster and eight of them were on the Qantas A380 that landed at Melbourne Airport at 7:50 a.m. local time on Friday. Sam Okuayinonu was not. The club announced shortly before departure that he would stay behind with a foot injury and designated him questionable for the opener against the Rams rather than ruling him out, per Michael David Smith at Pro Football Talk, who writes that he may fly separately if the foot responds to treatment. Okuayinonu started twelve games last season, which is twelve of the fifteen starts in his career. Three of the eight who travelled sat out Wednesday's last practice in Santa Clara: Gracen Halton and Romello Height with ankles, James Thompson Jr. undisclosed. A fourth, Nick Bosa, took team reps on Wednesday for the first time since August 3. The club signed two defensive linemen to its practice squad on September 1, hosted a defensive tackle on a visit on September 2, and reached an injury settlement with Victor Dimukeje on Thursday.

Sam KezarSep 3, 20264 min read
Nick Bosa Practised For The First Time Since August 3
Camp Notebook

Nick Bosa Practised For The First Time Since August 3

Nick Bosa practised Wednesday for the first time since August 3, in individual drills and in team periods, per Nick Wagoner at ESPN. It is his first full practice since he tore the right anterior cruciate ligament in Week 3 of last season. He said afterwards that once a session reaches team work there is no governor on it, and that he is confident about Week 1. Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday morning that Bosa and George Kittle both travel to Australia. Kittle has now had three straight days of team work, dated to Monday by John Lynch. Six players sat out, three fewer than Tuesday: Renardo Green, Jacob Cowing, Luke Gifford, Gracen Halton, Romello Height and James Thompson Jr. Jack Jones was on neither list and did no work with the team. Left guard is still not named. The club hosted defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson on a visit and signed nobody.

Sam KezarSep 2, 20264 min read
Carver Willis Is The Only Name At Left Guard, And He Is Listed Second
Camp Battles

Carver Willis Is The Only Name At Left Guard, And He Is Listed Second

The 49ers' published depth chart lists a first-team name at twenty-eight of its twenty-nine positions. Left guard is the twenty-ninth, and the only man in the row, Carver Willis, sits in the second column. Kyle Shanahan said Monday he does not know who starts there against the Rams on September 10, and gave the reason: the Thursday opener took away the three practices he normally decides on, and the club added Jarrett Patterson to the group. Connor Colby has six career starts, Patterson twenty-one, Willis none. San Francisco signed a fifth offensive lineman, Foster Sarell, to the practice squad on Tuesday afternoon.

Sam KezarSep 1, 20266 min read
Nate Hobbs Made The 53 On Sunday And Went On Injured Reserve On Monday
Roster

Nate Hobbs Made The 53 On Sunday And Went On Injured Reserve On Monday

The 49ers placed cornerback Nate Hobbs and linebacker Nick Martin on injured reserve Monday and re-signed safety Ashtyn Davis and punter Corliss Waitman to one-year deals. Because Hobbs and Martin were placed the day after the initial roster was set rather than during the cut to it, neither needed one of the two return designations San Francisco had already spent on Christian Kirk and Austen Pleasants, and neither is finished for the year. Both must miss at least the first four games. The earliest either can play is October 11 at Seattle. Matt Maiocco wrote on Sunday that both placements were coming Monday. San Francisco claimed nobody on waivers and lost cornerback Darrell Luter Jr. to Las Vegas and defensive lineman Bryson Eason to Kansas City. Thirteen players are on the practice squad, including long snapper Jon Weeks, who is not on the active roster.

Sam KezarAug 31, 20265 min read
The 49ers Released Robert Jones And Traded For A Lineman Seven Minutes Later
Roster

The 49ers Released Robert Jones And Traded For A Lineman Seven Minutes Later

San Francisco's cut to the initial roster, first through named reporters and then through the club's own release at 3:50 p.m. Pacific. Robert Jones released at 1:35 p.m. and Jarrett Patterson acquired from Houston seven minutes later. Mykel Williams to reserve/PUP and out at least four games. Christian Kirk to injured reserve with a designation to return. Brett Toth and Nick Zakelj to season-ending injured reserve. Deion Jones released five days after the 49ers traded Zamir White for him. Jalen Stroman waived three days after playing every defensive snap in Las Vegas. Thirty-nine moves, fifty-two men, and no punter or long snapper on the list.

Sam KezarAug 30, 20268 min read
Alfred Collins Is Named Once In The Entire Play-By-Play
Preseason Analysis

Alfred Collins Is Named Once In The Entire Play-By-Play

The film-and-grades read of San Francisco's 18-12 win at Las Vegas on Thursday, player by player. Alfred Collins played 29 of 66 defensive snaps and appears once in the game book's play-by-play, on an assisted tackle. PFF's four lowest-graded 49ers defenders in the game all played defensive tackle, and both San Francisco sacks came from edge men. Enrique Cruz Jr. played all 61 offensive snaps at left tackle. Carver Willis graded last among the 22 San Francisco offensive players PFF graded, and the split behind it is run blocking rather than pass protection, which is what Willis himself has said the problem is. Khalil Herbert graded highest on offense on 12 snaps. Darrell Luter Jr. started at corner, played 51 snaps and graded second among all San Francisco defenders.

Sam KezarAug 29, 20266 min read
Four Hundred And Forty Punt Returns Since Ted Ginn Jr. Scored The Last One
The record

Four Hundred And Forty Punt Returns Since Ted Ginn Jr. Scored The Last One

San Francisco has returned 440 punts for 3,826 yards since Ted Ginn Jr. ran one back 55 yards against Seattle on September 11, 2011, and none of the 440 has scored. Thirty-five of them gained twenty yards or more, two gained forty, and the longest is a 66-yard return in 2025. Jacob Cowing's 83-yard punt return touchdown at the Chargers on August 20 is longer than any of them and came in a preseason game, so it does not enter the record. He has not returned a punt since, missed the last full practice of camp with a groin injury and did not dress for the finale at Las Vegas. The roster is due at 3 p.m. Pacific on Sunday.

Sam KezarAug 29, 20264 min read
Jalen Stroman Played Every Defensive Snap And More Special Teams Than Anybody
Called Shots

Jalen Stroman Played Every Defensive Snap And More Special Teams Than Anybody

Six calls on San Francisco's initial 53-man roster, due Sunday at 3 p.m. Pacific. In: Jalen Stroman, who played all 66 defensive snaps and 21 on special teams against the Raiders, the most of any 49er; Nate Hobbs; and Jacob Cowing, already on the ledger since August 23. Out: Jordan Watkins, who played 53 of 61 offensive snaps and touched the ball nine ways; Ashtyn Davis; and Ogbo Okoronkwo, already on the ledger since August 5. Every call scores off the club's announced initial 53 and nothing else. A man placed on injured reserve from that list counts as having made it.

Sam KezarAug 29, 20266 min read
Carver Willis Graded Last Among The Linemen In The Game He Started
Camp Notebook

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.

Sam KezarAug 28, 20264 min read
Five Rookies Started And The Kicker Scored All Eighteen Points
Preseason Takeaways

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.

Sam KezarAug 28, 20265 min read
Kurtis Rourke Has Three Broken Ribs And Does Not Play Tonight
Camp Notebook

Kurtis Rourke Has Three Broken Ribs And Does Not Play Tonight

Kyle Shanahan confirmed on Tuesday that Kurtis Rourke broke three ribs in the preseason opener, twelve days after the club said the X-rays taken in the stadium showed nothing broken and sent him to hospital for more imaging. Rourke does not play in Thursday's finale at Las Vegas and Adrian Martinez takes the last game of the third quarterback competition. Shanahan also named Christian Kirk and Vederian Lowe as candidates to open the regular season on injured reserve, a designation that costs each of them at least the first four games and costs San Francisco a roster spot on Sunday; said Dominick Puni is most likely back in the concussion protocol; put Nick Bosa, Jacob Cowing, Upton Stout and Mike Evans back at practice next week rather than this one; and left the left guard job to Connor Colby and Carver Willis with Robert Jones hurt. The club signed defensive lineman Jah Joyner on Thursday morning and placed Victor Dimukeje on injured reserve to make room.

Sam KezarAug 27, 20263 min read
Shanahan Says Left Guard Is Close To Decided, And Thursday Is The Last Evidence He Gets
Preseason Preview

Shanahan Says Left Guard Is Close To Decided, And Thursday Is The Last Evidence He Gets

Twenty players are named here with the jersey numbers to find them by, taken off the club's official roster page. The third quarterback job, the left guard competition, the tenth offensive line spot, the backup center job nobody has won, a three-man backfield with no starter in front of it, and a second safety spot the club has not settled. Nine numbers on the 89-man active roster belong to two men each, so the position matters as much as the digits.

Sam KezarAug 27, 20264 min read
Two Men On The 49ers' Injured Reserve Page Do Not Work There Anymore
Camp Notebook

Two Men On The 49ers' Injured Reserve Page Do Not Work There Anymore

San Francisco has taken three players off injured reserve since Monday and published none of it. The league's waivers wire carries Titus Leo and Tanner McLachlan dated August 25, both reading Terminated Via Waivers, all contracts, and Xavier Thomas dated August 26 with the same wording. The step before it differs by man: Leo and Thomas were waived with an injury settlement, McLachlan with no recall. The club's transaction log's newest entry is Tuesday's Deion Jones trade. Over The Cap and Spotrac each now list five men on San Francisco's injured reserve totalling $5,604,563 and neither carries any of the three, while the club's own roster page still lists seven under Reserve/Injured, those five plus Leo and Thomas. Also: Kyle Shanahan named Christian Kirk, Vederian Lowe and Nick Martin as candidates to open the season on injured reserve, a designation that only works for a player who makes the initial 53 first; Nick Bosa's knee has a name in print for the first time; Renardo Green's imaging result is still unpublished six days after the coach ordered it; and the club hosted a free-agent defensive end on a visit Wednesday.

Sam KezarAug 26, 20264 min read
Left Guard Is Down To Two And The Last Practice Of Camp Is Over
Camp Notebook

Left Guard Is Down To Two And The Last Practice Of Camp Is Over

San Francisco practised for the last time in training camp on Tuesday morning and Kyle Shanahan said afterwards that the left guard competition is close to being decided between Connor Colby and Carver Willis, with Robert Jones removed from it by a calf injury Shanahan put at around the Australia trip. Matt Maiocco had Willis taking the first-team snaps. Dominick Puni practised and then reported residual symptoms and is most likely back in the concussion protocol. Shanahan named Christian Kirk and Vederian Lowe as possible candidates to start the season on injured reserve, hedging both. Mike Evans, Jacob Cowing, Upton Stout, Romello Height, Kyle Juszczyk, Kirk, Kurtis Rourke and Nick Bosa did not practise across two published absence lists that do not match. Height's injury is an ankle and Juszczyk's finger is fractured. The 49ers play at Las Vegas on Thursday at 5:00 p.m. PDT and the roster is due at 53 at 3:00 p.m. PT on Sunday.

Sam KezarAug 25, 20264 min read
San Francisco Traded For A Linebacker Five Days Before The Cutdown
Roster

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.

Sam KezarAug 25, 20264 min read
Jordan James And Kaelon Black Have Eight Preseason Carries Between Them
Camp Battles

Jordan James And Kaelon Black Have Eight Preseason Carries Between Them

San Francisco opened camp with a two-man competition to back up Christian McCaffrey. Across two preseason games Kaelon Black has carried the ball eight times and Jordan James has not carried it at all, because one had an adductor injury and the other a fractured rib. Sincere McCormick, a third-year back outside the projected 53, leads the team with 16 carries for 91 yards. One practice and one game remain before the roster is due Sunday.

Sam KezarAug 24, 20264 min read
Activating George Kittle Ended The 49ers' Four-Game Option On Him
Roster News

Activating George Kittle Ended The 49ers' Four-Game Option On Him

San Francisco announced Sunday morning that it had activated George Kittle from the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list, and the club's own roster page now lists only Isaac Guerendo and Mykel Williams there. Under the league's rule a player removed from active PUP cannot be put back on it, so the reserve/PUP designation that would have cost Kittle the Rams, Miami, Arizona and Denver is gone. He counts against the 53 on August 30. Matt Maiocco reported he was expected in individual drills the same day, with team periods unknown.

Sam KezarAug 23, 20263 min read
Christian McCaffrey Took Roughly Seven Team Reps On Sunday
Camp Notebook

Christian McCaffrey Took Roughly Seven Team Reps On Sunday

San Francisco practised Sunday morning at 10:15. Christian McCaffrey took team reps for the first time since the tightness, Deommodore Lenoir and De'Zhaun Stribling returned in no-contact jerseys, Romello Height was new to the non-participant list, and Upton Stout intercepted Brock Purdy. Renardo Green's imaging, ordered on Friday, is still unreported three days on.

Sam KezarAug 23, 20263 min read
Eighty-Three Of Jacob Cowing's Eighty-Six Return Yards Came On One Play
Camp Battles

Eighty-Three Of Jacob Cowing's Eighty-Six Return Yards Came On One Play

Jacob Cowing returned two punts at the Chargers on August 20 for 86 yards and a touchdown, and those are the only two punt returns he has this preseason. He returned 28 punts for the 49ers as a rookie in 2024 for 245 yards without a touchdown, then missed all of 2025. San Francisco waived Junior Bergen on August 12, a seventh-round pick taken for his returns, and the Jets signed him a week later. Kyle Shanahan said Cowing is making it easier and did not say the return job was settled. The 49ers punt-return touchdown drought in games that count is still standing at fifteen years.

Sam KezarAug 23, 20265 min read
Carver Willis Graded Last Among The 49ers Linemen A Week After Grading First On The Team
Preseason Analysis

Carver Willis Graded Last Among The 49ers Linemen A Week After Grading First On The Team

PFF's grades from the 49ers' 41-17 preseason win at the Chargers, read one player at a time. Carver Willis graded last among the eleven San Francisco offensive linemen charted, a week after grading first on the whole team against Tennessee. Nick Zakelj, re-signed six days ago and absent from the head coach's list of left guard competitors, graded second among every lineman in the game. Two undrafted rookie defensive tackles posted the best defensive grades on the roster, Sincere McCormick ran for the most yards on the field and graded as the team's worst pass blocker, and Jack Jones took the best coverage grade while Darrell Luter played the most snaps and took the lowest among the corners who finished.

Sam KezarAug 22, 20266 min read
Both Of The 49ers' Outside Cornerbacks Missed The Same Practice
Camp Notebook

Both Of The 49ers' Outside Cornerbacks Missed The Same Practice

The 49ers announced shoulder injuries for cornerback Deommodore Lenoir and rookie receiver De'Zhaun Stribling on Saturday, calling both day-to-day, and Renardo Green did not practice two days after the hamstring that took him out of the Chargers game. Jordan James practiced for the first time this camp, and Dominick Puni and C.J. West cleared the concussion protocol. Nick Bosa and Christian McCaffrey were not in a session Kyle Shanahan had described them as on track for. Eight days to the cutdown, and nothing crossed the line on the 53-man tracker.

Sam KezarAug 22, 20263 min read
Jack Jones Broke Up Two Passes At The Chargers. Nate Hobbs Has Not Played A Preseason Snap.
Camp Battles

Jack Jones Broke Up Two Passes At The Chargers. Nate Hobbs Has Not Played A Preseason Snap.

The official game book from Thursday night at SoFi Stadium credits Jack Jones with two passes defensed, the most by any 49er in a game the team finished with seven, and 29 of San Francisco's 59 defensive snaps. Nate Hobbs pulled a groin at the joint practice with Tennessee on August 11 and does not appear on the participation page of either preseason game. Kyle Shanahan said on August 13 that Hobbs would be out a few weeks. The roster is due Sunday, August 30 at 3:00pm PT. This board moves Jones from 5 to 7 and inside the projected 53, and Hobbs from 6 to 5 and outside it.

Sam KezarAug 21, 20266 min read
Seven Takeaways From A 41-17 Win At The Chargers, Starting With The Back This Board Had Written Off
Preseason Takeaways

Seven Takeaways From A 41-17 Win At The Chargers, Starting With The Back This Board Had Written Off

The 49ers beat the Chargers 41-17 at SoFi Stadium on Thursday night. Brock Purdy played one drive and twelve snaps, Jacob Cowing returned a punt 83 yards for a touchdown and caught two of seven targets, and Sincere McCormick ran six times for 53 yards. Austen Pleasants became the third left guard candidate to get hurt, Renardo Green and Nick Martin left with hamstring injuries, and four Called Shots resolved off the game book. Seven takeaways with nine days until the roster is due.

Sam KezarAug 21, 20265 min read
The 49ers Have Made Five Running Back Moves Since August 2, And Thursday's Came Five Hours Before Kickoff
Camp Battles

The 49ers Have Made Five Running Back Moves Since August 2, And Thursday's Came Five Hours Before Kickoff

San Francisco's roster is due August 30 and the running back room has been reshaped five times since August 2, most recently at 1:40 on Thursday afternoon. Patrick Taylor Jr. is on Reserve/Injured for the second straight preseason and Khalil Herbert is back three days after the club released him. The two men actually competing for the job behind Christian McCaffrey have not been on a practice field together once this month.

Sam KezarAug 20, 20263 min read
Ten Days To The Cutdown, And The 49ers Expect To Play A Number Of Starters
Preseason Preview

Ten Days To The Cutdown, And The 49ers Expect To Play A Number Of Starters

The roster goes to 53 on August 30, ten days after Thursday's game at the Chargers, and one preseason game follows this one. Twelve players are named here with the jersey numbers to find them by, read off the club's official roster page Thursday morning: the left guard rotation, the vacant tenth offensive line spot, a rookie back Shanahan said will most likely play, and a defensive line that was missing three men on Tuesday.

Sam KezarAug 20, 20264 min read
Eleven Days To The Cutdown And Jake Brendel Still Has No Settled Backup
Camp Battles

Eleven Days To The Cutdown And Jake Brendel Still Has No Settled Backup

San Francisco's roster is set on August 30 and the backup center job has been open on this board since August 8, when the club disclosed Brett Toth's concussion. Drake Nugent and Doug Kramer Jr. split every center snap of the preseason opener with Jake Brendel out of uniform, and neither is on Matt Maiocco's projected 53 or David Lombardi's. Wednesday's walk-through was closed to media, so nothing moved.

Sam KezarAug 19, 20263 min read
Carver Willis Took The First-Team Left Guard Reps In El Segundo
Camp Notebook

Carver Willis Took The First-Team Left Guard Reps In El Segundo

Notes from Tuesday's joint practice against the Chargers in El Segundo, in order of what they do to the 53. The left guard competition moved, the secondary gave up deep balls to three different men, and a number of starters will play Thursday.

Sam KezarAug 18, 20263 min read
Cutting Christian McCaffrey In August Would Clear $1.95 Million
Roster

Cutting Christian McCaffrey In August Would Clear $1.95 Million

Two salary-cap books disagree about how to label Christian McCaffrey's money and agree on every dollar of it. What they show is a contract neither side can use as leverage, which is a better answer than the one going around.

Sam KezarAug 18, 20265 min read
The 49ers Need Alfred Collins Against The Run, And PFF Ranks Him Near The Bottom There
Camp Battles

The 49ers Need Alfred Collins Against The Run, And PFF Ranks Him Near The Bottom There

Alfred Collins, No. 95, was activated off the PUP list at the end of July after offseason shoulder surgery and is expected to line up next to Osa Odighizuwa. Tennessee ran 31 times for 167 yards in the preseason opener. PFF's grades from that game rank Collins last among the 49ers' defensive linemen against the run, and its 2025 rankings put him 127th of 133 qualifying interior linemen in the same category while ranking him 76th of 137 as a pass rusher. The club published no participation report for the opener, so no official snap counts exist. Monday was a closed walk-through with no media availability.

Sam KezarAug 17, 20265 min read
Carver Willis Was The Best Run Blocker And Nearly The Worst Pass Protector
Preseason Analysis

Carver Willis Was The Best Run Blocker And Nearly The Worst Pass Protector

A player-by-player read of the 49ers' 19-13 preseason loss to Tennessee. PFF's grades had Carver Willis first among the charted run blockers and near the bottom in pass protection, Robert Jones last of every 49er charted on offense, Connor Colby fifth, and Bryson Eason the best defensive grade on the roster. Dominick Puni entered the concussion protocol on Sunday, which puts both guard jobs live at once with sixteen days until the roster is set.

Sam KezarAug 16, 20266 min read
Dominick Puni Is In Concussion Protocol And The Left Guard Job Is Still Three Deep
Camp Notebook

Dominick Puni Is In Concussion Protocol And The Left Guard Job Is Still Three Deep

Dominick Puni, No. 77, entered the NFL's return-to-play protocol after sustaining a concussion on Saturday, and did not practise Sunday. The left guard competition on the other side of the centre is still three men, and offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak said Sunday that the reps are being divided three ways. No account of Sunday's first-team alignment had published as of a 3:07 p.m. PT check of four sources individually, and the club's own recap, which has landed between 3:40 and 4:09 p.m. all camp, had not appeared. Saturday's documented alignment had Connor Colby and rookie Carver Willis rotating with the first team and Robert Jones limited at second-team right guard. Nick Bosa did side work for the first time since August 3. One grade moved on this site's 53-man projection and nobody crossed the cut line.

Sam KezarAug 16, 20263 min read
Jack Jones And Marques Sigle Were In Uniform Saturday. The 49ers Signed Nobody.
Camp Notebook

Jack Jones And Marques Sigle Were In Uniform Saturday. The 49ers Signed Nobody.

Jack Jones, No. 25, and Marques Sigle, No. 36, were in uniform for Saturday's 11:50 a.m. practice, two days after leaving the preseason opener with a hand and an oblique. Jacob Cowing, No. 6, was too. Christian McCaffrey (tightness), Nick Bosa (soreness and tendinitis in the surgically repaired knee) and Kurtis Rourke (ribs) did not practise. No transaction has been announced since August 12 on the club's own log and August 13 on ESPN's, and the roster sits at 90 chargeable players against a limit of 90, counted table by table on Saturday afternoon. Thursday's running backs carried 23 times for 52 yards. Nothing on the 53-man projection crossed the cut line.

Sam KezarAug 15, 20263 min read
The 49ers Could Not Run And Could Not Stop The Run
Preseason Analysis

The 49ers Could Not Run And Could Not Stop The Run

Two days after a 19-13 preseason loss to Tennessee, the box score says San Francisco controlled the game everywhere except where games are decided. Four running backs carried 23 times for 52 yards, 2.3 a carry, while Tennessee ran 31 times for 167, 5.4 a carry. San Francisco needed 322 yards to score 13 points. The club published no participation report, so this is what the gamebook can carry and no more.

Sam KezarAug 15, 20265 min read
Nine Takeaways From The 49ers' 19-13 Loss To Tennessee, Starting With The Rookie Who Caught Seven Passes
Preseason Takeaways

Nine Takeaways From The 49ers' 19-13 Loss To Tennessee, Starting With The Rookie Who Caught Seven Passes

The 49ers lost their preseason opener 19-13 to Tennessee on Thursday night. Second-round rookie De'Zhaun Stribling caught seven of his eight targets for 63 yards. Kurtis Rourke started at quarterback, completed 12 of 14 passes, and was taken to a hospital with a rib injury that stadium X-rays did not show as a break. Robert Jones started at left guard and Connor Colby started at right guard. Four running backs carried 23 times for 52 yards. Nine takeaways from a game that produced no touchdown passes on 44 attempts.

Sam KezarAug 14, 20265 min read
Bryce Hall And Corey Mayfield Jr. Won A UFL Title Together. On Friday They Were Auditioning In Santa Clara.
Camp Notebook

Bryce Hall And Corey Mayfield Jr. Won A UFL Title Together. On Friday They Were Auditioning In Santa Clara.

The 49ers worked out three defensive backs on Friday, per David Bonilla off the NFL's daily transaction report, with Nate Hobbs out a few weeks, Jack Jones nursing a hand and Marques Sigle an oblique. Bryce Hall and Corey Mayfield Jr. were teammates on the UFL champion Louisville Kings, and Troy Pride Jr. was a fourth-round pick in the same 2020 draft that took Hall in the fifth. No signing had been announced by mid-afternoon, and the roster has been full for ten days. Kurtis Rourke was released from the hospital Thursday night and no result of his further imaging has been published. The first snap counts of the preseason put Robert Jones and Connor Colby on opposite sides of the centre for all 44 first-unit snaps, and Jordan Watkins on the field for 58 while Jacob Cowing took none.

Sam KezarAug 14, 20263 min read
One Of The Ninety Is Listed Two Different Ways
Roster

One Of The Ninety Is Listed Two Different Ways

San Francisco signed defensive lineman Xavier Thomas to a one-year deal on August 12. The club's own roster page carried him on its active table on Thursday afternoon with no jersey number published, and Spotrac carried him on injured reserve at the same hour, with no transaction anywhere to explain the difference. The 49ers go into Thursday's preseason opener against Tennessee at exactly 90 chargeable players: 88 on the active table, three on Active/PUP, and one international-pathway exemption that does not count until the cut to 53. K.J. Henry, waived with an injury designation on Wednesday, appears on none of the club's four roster tables. Three of the 88 have no jersey number published, and all three signed on Wednesday. The 53-man projection still totals 52.

Sam KezarAug 13, 20264 min read
Ten 49ers To Watch Against Tennessee, Starting With The Left Guard On The Depth Chart
Preseason Preview

Ten 49ers To Watch Against Tennessee, Starting With The Left Guard On The Depth Chart

The 49ers open the preseason against the Titans on Thursday night at Levi's Stadium, 6 p.m. PT, on KPIX CBS 5 locally. Kyle Shanahan said after Tuesday's joint practice that there will not be many starters playing, and Christian McCaffrey and Nick Bosa have each missed multiple sessions. That makes the game an audition: Robert Jones is listed as the starting left guard on the club's first unofficial depth chart, rookie Carver Willis is behind him, and second-round receiver De'Zhaun Stribling is coming off the loudest practice any 49ers rookie has had this camp. Ten men to watch, plus the injuries that shape who is available.

Sam KezarAug 12, 20264 min read
The 49ers Ended Their Punter Competition Twenty-Five Days After It Started
Transactions

The 49ers Ended Their Punter Competition Twenty-Five Days After It Started

The 49ers waived rookie punter Jack Bouwmeester on Wednesday, twenty-five days after signing him to a three-year deal, which leaves Corliss Waitman as the only punter on the roster the day before the preseason opener. Special teams coordinator Brant Boyer said on August 3 that both the punter job and the punt return job would stay open through the preseason. Cornerback Eli Apple, defensive lineman Xavier Thomas and running back Zamir White signed one-year deals, receiver Junior Bergen was waived and defensive lineman K.J. Henry was waived with an injury designation. White arrives because four 49ers running backs were hurt at once. Six roster spots changed hands and the 53-man projection did not move a name.

Sam KezarAug 12, 20264 min read
The 49ers' First Depth Chart Lists Demarcus Robinson As A Starting Receiver
Camp Notebook

The 49ers' First Depth Chart Lists Demarcus Robinson As A Starting Receiver

San Francisco released its first unofficial depth chart of 2026 on Tuesday morning, with Demarcus Robinson at a starting receiver spot, and then held a joint practice with the Tennessee Titans. The chart is a health document: Ricky Pearsall has been on season-ending injured reserve since August 1, Christian Kirk has not practised a session of camp, and Mike Evans suited up Tuesday and did not compete. Two published readings of the chart disagree about where De'Zhaun Stribling sits, and two counts of the practice disagree about how many passes he caught. Nick Bosa missed a fifth straight practice, and Kyle Shanahan said the knee has tendinitis related to the ACL recovery. Two Titans tackles were ejected from a session that had scuffles on three of the first four plays.

Sam KezarAug 11, 20264 min read
Left Guard Is An Open Competition Everywhere Except In The Reps
Camp Notebook

Left Guard Is An Open Competition Everywhere Except In The Reps

The 49ers held their 10th full training camp practice on Monday. Robert Jones worked with the first-team offensive line at left guard, Connor Colby stayed at second-team right guard, and offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak called the job a competition anyway. Christian McCaffrey was given the day off with tightness, leaving Patrick Taylor Jr., Sincere McCormick and Khalil Herbert as the only healthy running backs, and the club worked out two more. Brock Purdy went 10 of 13. Nick Bosa missed a fourth straight practice.

Sam KezarAug 10, 20264 min read
The 49ers Signed A Center Off Friday's Tryout Sheet And It Cost Them Nick Zakelj
Roster

The 49ers Signed A Center Off Friday's Tryout Sheet And It Cost Them Nick Zakelj

The 49ers signed Doug Kramer Jr., an Illinois center who worked out for the club on Friday, and released Nick Zakelj in the same announcement. Every San Francisco transaction day in August has been an exact one-in, one-out, ten additions against ten subtractions across five club releases. Zakelj is the first man in that stretch the club released rather than waived, and the two public transaction logs do not agree on which verb the club used for three other August names. Kramer went 207th in the 2022 sixth round; Zakelj went 187th in the same round of the same draft.

Sam KezarAug 10, 20264 min read
Two Verbs Decide Whether An Injured 49er Shows Up On The Roster Page
Roster

Two Verbs Decide Whether An Injured 49er Shows Up On The Roster Page

Five 49ers are on injured reserve by both independent money sources, and the club's own roster page lists two of them. The three missing men were all waived/injured and reverted a day later, each carrying the league's Not Against 90 label, while the two the page does list were placed on injured reserve directly from the active roster. Two verbs, six cases, no exceptions. Not Against 90 is a roster-limit statement and not a cap one. William Bradley-King, whose settlement landed Friday and whose waivers cleared Saturday, is the case that shows the whole mechanism from both ends.

Sam KezarAug 9, 20264 min read
Brett Toth's Undisclosed Injury Was A Concussion, And This Board Took Him Off The 53
Camp Notebook

Brett Toth's Undisclosed Injury Was A Concussion, And This Board Took Him Off The 53

Saturday's notebook: the undisclosed injury this beat has been carrying for three days got a name and cost its owner a place on this site's projected 53, Connor Colby lost most of a one-on-one session two days after losing the first-team reps, the defence intercepted Brock Purdy twice in the red zone, and the head coach took a podium for the first time since his car accident.

Sam KezarAug 8, 20268 min read
The 49ers Worked Out Three Centers On A Day They Did Not Practice
Camp Notebook

The 49ers Worked Out Three Centers On A Day They Did Not Practice

San Francisco worked out Doug Kramer, Joe Michalski and Lecitus Smith on Friday, a walk-through day with no practice and no media, and all three of them are centers. Four of the sixteen offensive linemen on the active roster are hurt and three of those four are inside this site's projected 53. The club has signed a man out of each of its last four reported workout groups, none of them slower than three days, and a take is filed on the fifth. The Bradley-King injury settlement, and two disagreements: one about Toth's injury, one about Brock Purdy's Thursday completion line.

Sam KezarAug 7, 20265 min read
Connor Colby Rotated With The Backups At Both Guard Spots
Camp Notebook

Connor Colby Rotated With The Backups At Both Guard Spots

Robert Jones took the first-team left guard reps for a second straight practice Thursday, and Connor Colby, who had been taking most of them all camp, rotated with the backups at both guard spots. Carver Willis and Brett Toth, the two injured linemen this site cited as the reason Jones was there Wednesday, did not return. Four other players did, and two accounts of the session disagree about how much any of them practiced. Brock Purdy went 11 of 14. Gracen Halton climbs a grade, partly by beating Colby.

Sam KezarAug 6, 20265 min read
The Injury List Picked Wednesday's Left Guard
Camp Notebook

The Injury List Picked Wednesday's Left Guard

The 49ers practiced Wednesday with 18 of their active 90 unavailable and the top five receivers they entered camp with all among them. Robert Jones took the first-team left guard reps, per David Lombardi, and Chris Foerster explained it as a plan to move Connor Colby around that the injuries to Carver Willis and Brett Toth cut short. Brock Purdy went 13 of 14. Two more players left during practice. Nobody who filed on the session reported a kick return by anybody, which is inconvenient for a call this site made Wednesday morning.

Sam KezarAug 6, 20264 min read
The Roster Was Full, So Kion Smith Cost Colton Dowell His Job
Transactions

The Roster Was Full, So Kion Smith Cost Colton Dowell His Job

The 49ers signed OL Kion Smith to a one-year deal and waived WR Colton Dowell, announced at 9:46 a.m. Thursday. Smith is 27, has appeared in 23 games with two starts across five seasons with Atlanta and Miami, and both of those starts came last year. He was one of three offensive linemen the club worked out Wednesday, on a day its interior could not field enough healthy bodies to run the left guard competition it had planned. The roster was already at the limit, so the signing required the waiver.

Sam KezarAug 6, 20264 min read
The 49ers Signed A Pro Bowl Special Teamer This Morning. He Has Never Returned A Kick.
Transactions

The 49ers Signed A Pro Bowl Special Teamer This Morning. He Has Never Returned A Kick.

San Francisco signed WR KhaDarel Hodge and DL Ogbo Okoronkwo to one-year deals at 9:59 a.m. Wednesday and waived DL Kevin Givens and DL Cameron Sample. Hodge made the Pro Bowl in 2024 as a special teamer and has zero career kick returns and zero career punt returns, which is worth knowing on the morning this site published a kick-return incentive in Deebo Samuel's contract. Givens lasted ten days. Five defensive linemen have signed here in ten days and six have gone.

Sam KezarAug 5, 20265 min read
The 49ers Wrote A Kick-Return Bonus Into Deebo Samuel's Contract
Camp Notebook

The 49ers Wrote A Kick-Return Bonus Into Deebo Samuel's Contract

Deebo Samuel's one-year deal, itemized: $4.1 million of real money and $2.9 million of incentives that only pay in full with a playoff berth, one of them for a top-ten kick return average. Plus Monday's Day 6 practice, two reporters who disagree about Brock Purdy's completion line, and a roster still sitting exactly on 90.

Sam KezarAug 5, 20265 min read
San Francisco Has Never Been Over The Roster Limit. The 91st Man Has A Name And An Exemption.
Roster

San Francisco Has Never Been Over The Roster Limit. The 91st Man Has A Name And An Exemption.

Isaac Alarcon does not count against the 49ers' 90-man offseason roster. The NFL granted San Francisco an exemption for him in April, which means the club has been sitting exactly on the limit rather than one body above it, and that every signing since has cost somebody a job by rule rather than by choice. Sunday produced four transactions, two of them replacements for men who broke on Saturday, and three edge-rusher workouts that say the club is not finished.

Sam KezarAug 2, 20265 min read
The Edge Room Lost Three Bodies While The New Receiver Took Ten Snaps
Camp Notebook

The Edge Room Lost Three Bodies While The New Receiver Took Ten Snaps

Saturday's notebook: the transaction that opened the roster spot, a ten-snap ramp for the receiver who filled it, a fourth receiver injury in five days, and an edge rotation that lost three bodies in one session.

Sam KezarAug 1, 20263 min read
The Warning About This Receiver Room Was Published On May 13
Roster

The Warning About This Receiver Room Was Published On May 13

A pre-camp roster projection said in writing that this team has run out of receivers in each of the past two seasons. The front office answered that history by buying age, and five practices later it was buying more of it.

Sam KezarAug 1, 20265 min read
One Year, A Ceiling Nobody Will Price, And Two Roster Spots That Do Not Exist
Roster

One Year, A Ceiling Nobody Will Price, And Two Roster Spots That Do Not Exist

Two agreements, zero open roster spots, and a reported figure that four outlets could not render the same way. The shape of the money is the story: a one-year deal whose value the player's own agent describes as a maximum.

Sam KezarJul 31, 20265 min read
Four Transactions, Three Skirmishes, And Not One Word About Left Guard
Camp

Four Transactions, Three Skirmishes, And Not One Word About Left Guard

The fourth practice of camp and the first with contact. Four roster moves, three of the last four subtractions out of the same January class, a Wednesday tryout that became a Friday signing, and no line play reported by anyone.

Sam KezarJul 31, 20264 min read
The Safety Battle Everybody Previewed Is Not The One Being Held
Camp Battles

The Safety Battle Everybody Previewed Is Not The One Being Held

Camp Battles, second installment. Nick Wagoner has Ji'Ayir Brown taking all the first-team free safety reps in a contract year, which is not what the preview said would happen. The live competition is beside him, between an incumbent with 22 starts and a fifth-round second-year player, and it has been contested for exactly one practice because Malik Mustapha strained a hamstring on Monday. Everything on the record was recorded in shorts. The pads arrive Friday.

Sam KezarJul 30, 20264 min read
Six Grade Changes, Eight Transactions, And Not One Name Has Crossed The Line
The Tracker

Six Grade Changes, Eight Transactions, And Not One Name Has Crossed The Line

The first weekly column off the 53-man tracker. Six days of camp produced six grade changes, four players in and four out, and not one of them changed which 53 men this site projects onto the initial roster. What the confidence grade measures, why Vederian Lowe lost a point without his job being in question, and the count that explains the churn: 87 active players plus four on the physically-unable-to-perform list is 91 bodies, which under either reading of the league limit leaves zero open spots.

Sam KezarJul 30, 20264 min read
Pearsall's Knee, Two Quarterback Lines, And A Strip-Sack To Open Team Drills
Camp Notebook

Pearsall's Knee, Two Quarterback Lines, And A Strip-Sack To Open Team Drills

Nick Wagoner reported swelling in Ricky Pearsall's knee from a PCL injury carried over from last season, with surgery being explored. Jordan James has a fractured rib and Malik Mustapha a hamstring strain. Purdy completed 14 of 18 in team drills, Mac Jones 11 of 15, and Dre Greenlaw opened team drills by stripping Christian McCaffrey.

Sam KezarJul 29, 20263 min read
Four Men At Left Guard, And Two Practices Of Evidence
Camp Battles

Four Men At Left Guard, And Two Practices Of Evidence

The 49ers started three different players at left guard in 2025 and opened camp with four candidates for the job. Connor Colby has the incumbency and about 450 snaps in the offense, Robert Jones has 30 career starts and a season he spent on injured reserve, and two practices have settled nothing.

Sam KezarJul 28, 20265 min read
A Third-Round Rookie Has The First-Team Edge Reps Opposite Keion White
49ers

A Third-Round Rookie Has The First-Team Edge Reps Opposite Keion White

Romello Height has been working with the first-string defense opposite Keion White while Mykel Williams sits on PUP and Nick Bosa is held back. Height was drafted in the third round to replace a pass rusher who retired in March. White arrived from New England nine months ago for a reported sixth-round pick. Between them they have taken every first-team edge rep of this camp, and neither was supposed to.

Sam KezarJul 28, 20265 min read