Tag: 49ers news

49ers fill biggest offensive need in 2025 NFL mock draft

OL help is the 49ers top priority in this mock draft:

Finding help for quarterback Brock Purdy needs to be a priority for the San Francisco 49ers in the 2025 NFL draft.

However, that help doesn’t necessarily need to come in the form of weapons. Running back Christian McCaffrey figures to return at full strength. Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk should return at some point next season. Tight end George Kittle is still an excellent player, wide receiver Jauan Jennings is having a breakout season and rookie WRs Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing will have another year to get acclimated to the offense.

The offensive line is a different story, and that’s where the 49ers get to work in the first round of a mock draft from Owain Jones at Pro Football Network. San Francisco at No. 17 overall selects Kelvin Banks Jr., a seasoned starting tackle from the University of Texas.

Via PFN:

Kelvin Banks Jr., a three-year starter at the University of Texas, is entering the NFL Draft with valuable experience and potential to secure the starting right tackle position in the Bay Area. As a talented athlete, he demonstrates fluid movement, effectively preventing agile pass rushers from getting around the edge.

However, to improve his draft stock and be considered a top-10 selection, he must refine his hand technique, enhance his footwork, and strengthen his lower body.

Finding a long-term answer at right tackle needs to be a priority for the 49ers in the offseason, and preferably that player would be one who could eventually swap over to the left side when Trent Williams decides to hang up his pads.

Banks has played left tackle his entire tenure with the Longhorns so moving to the right side would be an adjustment, but he has the physical tools to conceivably make the swap temporarily before moving back to his natural position in the post-Williams era.

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Why 49ers shouldn’t cut De’Vondre Campbell after quitting on team

The San Francisco 49ers shouldn’t cut De’Vondre Campbell because that lets him off too easy.

The San Francisco 49ers appear poised to cut ties with linebacker De’Vondre Campbell.

If they’re looking for a maximum punishment for the linebacker after he refused to play in Thursday night’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams, granting him his outright release may not be the move.

CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones suggested on Twitter (currently X) that by releasing Campbell it would afford him an opportunity to sign with another club (although another team’s willingness to sign a player who got released for quitting on his previous team is a question mark). Instead, the 49ers could suspend and fine him for conduct detrimental to the team.

Joel Corry, Jones’ colleague at CBS, pointed out on Twitter (currently X) that a fine and suspension would maximize the punishment for the veteran LB.

The 49ers and head coach Kyle Shanahan may just want to release Campbell. However, given some of the clear anger from inside the locker room, a fine and suspension may be a better move to signal that the organization’s overall feelings match the players’ feelings. A fine and suspension that ends Campbell’s 2024 season would certainly do that.

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Report clarifies Kyle Shanahan’s future with 49ers after rough year

No head coaching search for the 49ers this offseason.

The San Francisco 49ers’ 2024 season has been a disaster in most conceivable facets.

A 6-8 start and a near certain absence from the postseason for the first time since 2020 led some fans to clamor for Shanahan’s ouster. While Shanahan deserves at least some of the blame for San Francisco’s rough year, the Athletic’s Dianna Russini on Saturday reported the 49ers aren’t going to be searching for a new head coach this offseason.

Via the Athletic:

And what about Kyle Shanahan? Despite this being the Niners’ worst season since 2020, Shanahan, in his eighth season with San Francisco, isn’t going anywhere. The mutual commitment between coach and franchise remains. Ignore all the rumors. The organization fully believes in his ability to lead the team forward, even after a rough year.

Given some of the struggles the 49ers had in the post-Jim Harbaugh era, it’s not a shock that ownership would aim to avoid another coaching search for as long as possible.

Harbaugh went to three straight NFC championship games and a Super Bowl before getting fired following some internal turmoil and an 8-8 season. In the two years after that the 49ers had two head coaches who went a combined 7-25.

Shanahan stepped in and in Year 1 posted a better record than either of the previous two coaches at 6-10, and in Year 3 the team was in the Super Bowl.

2024 was a mess, to be sure, but there’s a long enough track record that it makes sense to continue betting on Shanahan. Moving on from him one year removed from a run of three consecutive NFC title games and a Super Bowl could set the organization back years.

They made that mistake once already, and it doesn’t sound like they’re keen to make it again.

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George Kittle rips teammate who quit vs. Rams

George Kittle made his voice heard on the De’Vondre Campbell situation.

During Thursday night’s 12-6 loss against NFC West rival Los Angeles, San Francisco 49ers linebacker De’Vondre Campbell was seen exiting the Levi’s Stadium field with helmet in hand.

Campbell’s fourth quarter exit wasn’t injury related, though. San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed afterwards that Campbell refused to enter the game.

The 49ers were dealing with injuries to linebackers Dre Greenlaw and Dee Winters and needed an able body in a tight game against a division foe. Campbell’s decision to suit up but not play understandably angered his 49er teammates.

San Francisco cornerback Charvarius Ward said afterward that he thinks Campbell will be cut soon.

One of the 49ers’ top stars, tight end George Kittle, shared his thoughts on Campbell’s actions.

“Not disbelief or disconnection like as a team. That is one person who just decided not to play for his teammates. I don’t think that, that doesn’t make our offense look at each other and be like, ‘Wow, man, we’re falling apart.’

“Or the defense, ‘Hey, we’re falling apart.’ It’s more of one person making a, I think Mooney said it, a selfish decision and I’m with Mooney on that. I’ve never been around anybody that’s done that and I hope I’m never around anybody that does that again,” Kittle said.

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Kittle said he didn’t find out about Campbell’s decision until after the game was final.

“I didn’t really hear anything about it until I got into the locker room, so it’s all brand new information to me. Look, if you’re on the roster and you’re going to suit up, you’re expected to play. I think anyone in this building that got asked to go in, I would say that 100 percent of everybody would die to get on that football field.

“And so, people go through, are going through random things off the field. I can’t speak on that. Whatever his decision was, it wasn’t for this organization, it wasn’t for this team and that’s on him. I’m not very happy about it. I would’ve had something to say about it. I wish I would’ve heard about it on the field, but I didn’t. Now, is that the reason we lost? Absolutely not. But, it’s hard to win football games when someone doesn’t want to play football, especially when you’re suited up,” Kittle said.

It only makes matters worse given the magnitude of the game. With the loss, San Francisco (6-8) has now dropped four of its past five and has tumbled out of the NFC West chase.

Campbell started 12 of the 49ers’ first 13 games. The 6-foot-4, 232 pound linebacker played 90% of San Francisco’s defensive snaps with 79 tackles, including three for loss, and a pair of passes defended.

Dre Greenlaw officially activated, OL placed on IR

Dre Greenlaw is officially back for the San Francisco 49ers.

The San Francisco 49ers on Thursday made Dre Greenlaw’s return official when they activated him off the PUP list.

Greenlaw has been on the PUP list since training camp began while recovering from an Achilles tear he suffered in the Super Bowl. After a full practice participation Wednesday, Greenlaw was officially listed as questionable for Thursday’s game vs. the Los Angeles Rams at Levi’s Stadium.

NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport on Thursday morning reported Greenlaw would be eased into action, intimating he won’t immediately take over his every-down role as the Will LB alongside Fred Warner. That spot has been held by veteran DeVondre Campbell all season. Greenlaw could take on the Sam LB role where he primarily plays in run situations. Dee Winters has taken that job for most of the season.

In a corresponding move, the 49ers placed offensive lineman Ben Bartch on IR after he sustained a high ankle sprain in Sunday’s win over the Chicago Bears. That opened a roster spot for Greenlaw. Bartch performed well in place of starting left guard Aaron Banks who missed two games with a concussion. Spencer Burford will now slide up to the backup LG spot.

Running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn was also elevated from the practice squad for a second consecutive week. He could be the backup to RB Patrick Taylor if Isaac Guerendo can’t play because of his foot sprain. Guerendo is officially questionable.

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49ers vs Rams injury report: Latest update, news on Isaac Guerendo for Week 15

All the latest updates and news on 49ers’ injury report ahead of a Week 15 game vs. the Rams.

The San Francisco 49ers’ Week 15 injury report inspired a little bit of optimism on the health front as they enter a virtual must-win matchup with the Los Angeles Rams.

Running back Isaac Guerendo returned to practice after being listed as a non-participant Monday and Tuesday because of a foot injury. He was limited and is officially questionable, but that’s a better sign than if he missed the session entirely.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan early in the week indicated there was some hope Guerendo would be ready for Thursday. There was no media availability Wednesday so it’s unclear how much progress Guerendo made during the week.

Other good news featured the return of defensive end Nick Bosa. He was limited and is listed as questionable after missing the last three games with hip and oblique injuries.

Linebacker Dre Greenlaw was also a full participant for the first time since having his 21-day practice window opened. He missed the last two games and was limited Monday and Tuesday. A full practice and ‘questionable’ designation mean he could make his return Thursday night at Levi’s Stadium.

49ers injury report

Out

OL Ben Bartch (ankle)
S Malik Mustapha (shoulder)
LT Trent Williams (ankle)

Mustapha was downgraded to a non-participant Wednesday. Ji’Ayir Brown figures to get the start alongside Talanoa Hufanga.

Questionable

DE Nick Bosa (hip, oblique)
DT Khalil Davis (knee)
LB Dre Greenlaw (Achilles)
RB Isaac Guerendo (foot)

It would be a massive lift and some awesome injury news if Bosa, Greenlaw and Guerendo all play Thursday.

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49ers 1st NFC Defensive Player of the Week is major surprise

Yetur Gross-Matos was awarded for his monster game vs. the Bears.

The San Francisco 49ers for the first time this season have the NFC Defensive Player of the Week, and it came via an unlikely source.

On a defense littered with stars like Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, Javon Hargrave, Deommodore Lenoir, Charvarius Ward and Talanoa Hufanga, it was offseason addition Yetur Gross-Matos who earned the defense’s first NFC Defensive Player of the Week award of the 2024 campaign.

Gross-Matos earned the nod after notching three sacks in San Francisco’s 38-13 blowout win over the Chicago Bears.

It was a glimpse into what the 49ers were hoping to get when they signed Gross-Matos to a two-year, $18 million contract in the offseason. A knee injury in the preseason derailed the first part of his year as he tried to play through the ailment before eventually landing on IR.

Prior to his IR stint, Gross-Matos had one tackle and one quarterback hit through three games. Since returning, he has 4.0 sacks and 14 tackles, five tackles for loss and five quarterback hits in four games.

The 49ers pass rush has really struggled this season, particularly with DE Nick Bosa absent because of hip and oblique injuries. If Gross-Matos continues ascending the way he has over the last four games he could become an important player for the 49ers beyond the 2024 campaign.

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Kyle Shanahan responds to Deebo Samuel tweet about ‘not getting the ball!!!!!!!’

Deebo Samuel tweeted. Kyle Shanahan responded.

It looked like something may have been amiss in the San Francisco 49ers locker room Monday when wide receiver Deebo Samuel took to the internet to respond to the critiques of his 2024 season.

Samuel, who is having the least productive seasons of his career, wrote in a since-deleted post on Twitter (currently X), “Not struggling at all just not getting the ball!!!!!!! 🤷🏾‍♂️.”

That would appear to be a direct call out of either the offensive play calling or quarterback Brock Purdy, but Samuel clarified in another post that he wasn’t calling out anyone on the team. This one is still up on the social media site:

Head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked about the post in his Tuesday press conference, and his answer alleviated some of the concerns that there might be some dissension in the 49ers locker room.

“Yeah, we’d always love things to stay in-house,” Shanahan said. “That’s probably why I don’t mess with social media. I’m sure I’d get worked up and stuff too if I was reading stuff about myself all the time. And then I’d maybe make a tweet or something too. I mean is it a distraction in our building? No. I’ve got to answer questions about, it’s the first time I’ve talked about it is right here. But Deebo and I see each other every day and talk about stuff every day. So my advice is to not let the outside frustrate you, because just answering those things isn’t going to help you in any way. Usually only hurts you. But as far as like what we deal with and our relationships and our team, it’s water under the bridge.”

The 49ers would love to see Samuel return to form Thursday against the Los Angeles Rams. They may be down to their fourth-string running back so a huge game from the former All-Pro would give San Francisco a much-needed lift against a good NFC West club.

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No news isn’t good news on 49ers crowded Week 15 practice report

Tuesday’s practice report didn’t have any news for the 49ers as they work through a host of injury problems.

The San Francisco 49ers didn’t have any significant changes on their participation report following Tuesday’s practice.

Monday’s participation report was just an estimate because San Francisco didn’t practice with their quick turnaround to Thursday night when they host the Los Angeles Rams.

However, the report from Tuesday’s walkthrough wasn’t much different from Monday’s. The only change was defensive tackle Khalil Davis showing up as a limited participant with a knee injury after not appearing on Monday’s projection.

While a handful of key players are out of practice, rookie running back Isaac Guerendo is the player to keep the closest eye on. He was a non-participant again because of a foot sprain he suffered in Week 14. Shanahan said there’s some hope he’ll be ready by Thursday, but a couple of non-participations to start the week doesn’t instill much optimism that Guerendo will be ready to suit up against the Rams.

Here’s the full Thursday practice report:

Did not participate

G Ben Bartch (ankle)
DE Nick Bosa (hip, oblique)
RB Isaac Guerendo (foot)
LT Trent Williams (ankle)

Limited participation

LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (knee)
LB Dre Greenlaw (Achilles)
DE Yetur Gross-Matos (knee)
S Malik Mustapha (chest, shoulder)
LB Dee Winters (ankle)
DT Khalil Davis (knee)

Full participation

G Aaron Banks (concussion)
S Talanoa Hufanga (wrist)
DE Sam Okuayinonu (wrist)

49ers new starting RB remains out of Week 15 practice with foot injury

Still no Isaac Guerendo in practice for the 49ers.

The San Francisco 49ers may be down to their fourth-string running back Thursday against the Los Angeles Rams.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan on Tuesday told reporters in a pre-practice press conference that rookie running back Isaac Guerendo wouldn’t participate in the day’s session as he continues recovering from a foot sprain he sustained in the team’s 38-13 win over the Chicago Bears in Week 14.

Guerendo was in the starting lineup for the first time as a pro because of a knee injury for RB Christian McCaffrey and an ankle injury for RB Jordan Mason. Both players were placed on IR and opened the door for Guerendo, a 2024 fourth-round pick, to step into the starting lineup. He posted 128 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns before exiting against Chicago.

The 49ers didn’t have a practice Monday, but they released a projected participation report that listed Guerendo as a non-participant. It’s not a surprise he’s a non-participant again Tuesday. Shanahan on Monday said Guerendo’s status for Thursday is up in the air.

“The only idea I have is what I told you guys,” Shanahan said via conference call. “He’s got a foot sprain and definitely couldn’t go today. And so, we’ll see if he can go on Thursday, but definitely can’t go (Monday). It’s a quick turnaround, so we’ve got to evaluate him hard each day. I’ll be surprised if he does much tomorrow, but hopefully Thursday will be enough time for him.”

It’s not a great sign that Guerendo hasn’t been able to go the first couple days of the week. The good news for the 49ers is they don’t ultimately have to make a decision until 90 minutes before kickoff unless they rule him out on Wednesday’s injury report.

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