Tag: 49ers

49ers optimistic about George Kittle’s return vs. Packers

George Kittle back?

The San Francisco 49ers had to navigate Week 11 without All-Pro tight end George Kittle. It sounds like they may get him back in Week 12 when they visit the Green Bay Packers.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan on Monday spoke with reporters in a conference call and had a positive update on the superstar tight end who was out of Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks because of a hamstring injury.

“He should practice on Wednesday,” Shanahan said. “I know it was close yesterday, so I think he should be good for practice on Wednesday.”

Kittle sustained what Shanahan called ‘hamstring irritation’ during the team’s Week 10 game vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The head coach sounded optimistic in the lead up to Week 11 that Kittle would be able to play. The TE missed Wednesday’s practice before getting limited sessions in Thursday and Friday. He was officially questionable before getting ruled out 90 minutes before kickoff when the team announced its inactives.

The 49ers struggled on offense without Kittle. They averaged 4.9 yards per play in their least efficient outing of the year. In the passing game they badly missed Kittle as a safety valve and explosive play creator. Their longest pass play of the game was 22 yards and only Jauan Jennings had more than 27 receiving yards.

Urgency is even higher now for the 49ers after Sunday’s loss to the Seahawks, and getting a player like Kittle back for their showdown with the Packers would be a huge boost for an offense that needs it.

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49ers injury updates aren’t great news for QB and ailing superstar DE

The San Francisco 49ers have injury issues at two of the most important positions on their roster entering Week 12.

The San Francisco 49ers are dealing with a handful of injuries following a disastrous Week 11 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

A pair of those injuries are to key starters for the 49ers as their margin for error in the race for the postseason shrank to almost nothing.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan on Monday told reporters in a conference call that defensive end Nick Bosa is dealing with hip and oblique injuries. The team will evaluate Bosa throughout the week, and Shanahan said it’s possible Bosa could suit up for Sunday’s game against the Packers in Green Bay.

Quarterback Brock Purdy also showed up in Shanahan’s Monday update after not being there immediately after Sunday’s game. Shanahan said Purdy is day-to-day with right shoulder soreness. This is the second time Purdy has been banged up during a game this season and was considered day-to-day during the week. He also hurt his back against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 3, but was a full participant in practice for all of Week 4.

Both Purdy and Bosa’s statuses on the practice reports starting Wednesday will be worth monitoring closely.

Shanahan also said rookie wide receiver and punt returner Jacob Cowing is in the concussion protocol after taking a hit to the head on a punt return. If he can’t clear the protocol, the team may turn to second-year WR Ronnie Bell or rookie WR Ricky Pearsall to take those punt return snaps.

Rookie linebacker Tatum Bethune was also hurt early in the game on kick coverage. He’s working through a sprained MCL that will keep him out awhile per Shanahan.

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NFL standings highlight why 49ers loss to Seahawks was so damaging

The 49ers are in last in the NFC West … yikes.

The San Francisco 49ers looked primed to fight their way back to the playoffs like they have multiple times after slow starts under head coach Kyle Shanahan.

They entered Week 11 at 5-4, and a win over the Seattle Seahawks would have put them in a tie for the NFC West and nipping at the heels of a wild card spot if their division hopes fell short.

Instead, they lost 20-17 at Levi’s Stadium and made what was a relatively clear path to the postseason a lot more cloudy.

Here is where the 49ers sit in the NFC West after Sunday:

1. Cardinals (6-4)
2. Rams (5-5)
3. Seahawks (5-5)
4. 49ers (5-5)

While on the surface this doesn’t look so bad, we have to factor in the reality that the 49ers aren’t playing well enough to believe they’ll win the rest of their games. If they did do that, they’d be in a great spot.

Unfortunately this season has shown us these aren’t the 49ers teams of recent history (read: last season).

So what we have is a team that now at best can split with every team in the division. If they do that they’ll be 3-3 overall in the NFC West. The problem with that is division record is the first tiebreaker after head-to-head matchups. In our scenario the 49ers would go to the division record with any team they tie with, and 3-3 isn’t likely going to cut it.

To win the NFC West the 49ers will now have to go on such a tear that they avoid a tie breaking scenario. Given the struggles this club has dealt with since Week 2, we’re not ready to bank on that just yet.

Perhaps there’s a run in them. Maybe injuries hit other teams or they start playing poorly later in the year and the 49ers scoop up a slew of wins in the final seven games. That would change the calculus.

Where they sit after a Week 11 defeat against the Seahawks, however, the path to the postseason by way of winning the division looks darker than it has in a long time.

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49ers injury news: Nick Bosa aggravates other oblique vs. Seahawks

The 49ers star edge rusher exited the game in the second half against the Seahawks.

Down the stretch against the Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers star pass rusher Nick Bosa was on the sideline. In the second half, Bosa exited the game with an apparent injury following his second sack of Seahawks passer Geno Smith.

Bosa was later listed as questionable to return for the remainder of the game with a hip injury. Following the game, Bosa revealed he suffered an oblique injury on the opposite side of his previously injured hip.

Bosa said after pushing through last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he was overcompensating and the same injury occurred on his other oblique.

Via @Coach_Yac on Twitter:

Prior to his injury, Bosa recorded four tackles, 1.5 sacks and three tackles for loss against the Seahawks. With Bosa on the sideline, the Seahawks scored a game-winning touchdown.

This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

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49ers highlights: Jauan Jennings takes over vs. Seahawks

Jauan Jennings adds to his impressive performance against the Seahawks with a touchdown reception in the fourth quarter.

With George Kittle sidelined in Week 11 due to an injury, the San Francisco 49ers needed one of their playmakers to step up. On Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, Jauan Jennings took over.

Whenever Brock Purdy and thee 49ers offense needed a spark, Jennings came through. After piling up big numbers against the Seahawks, the former Tennesee Volunteer added to his impressive performance with a touchdown grab in the fourth quarter to give the 49ers the lead.

With the 49ers trailing by three points, Purdy found Jennings in the end zone for a touchdown to take the lead, 17-13.

Via @49ers on Twitter:

Jennings has notched a game-high 10 receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown against the Seahawks.

This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

49ers injury news: Nick Bosa (hip) questionable to return vs. Seahawks

The start pass rusher exited the game in the third quarter with a hip injury.

After dealing with a hip injury all week and being listed as questionable for Sunday’s contest against the Seattle Seahawks, Nick Bosa was cleared to play on Sunday in Week 11. However, his injury appeared to linger.

Following his second sack of the day, Bosa left the game in apparent pain. After exiting the game to the sideline, the Pro Bowl edge rusher was listed as questionable to return to the game with a hip injury.

Bosa left the game with four tackles, 1.5 sacks and two tackles for loss against the Seahawks on Sunday.

Stay tuned to Niners Wire for more updates regarding Bosa’s status for the remainder of the game against the Seahawks.

This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

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Brock Purdy shows off speed on way to TD run vs. Seahawks

To get the 49ers on the board against the Seahawks, Brock Purdy showed off his speed on the way to a 10-yard touchdown run.

After posting a three-and-out to start the game, the San Francisco 49ers offense came to life on their second possession of the game. With the Seattle Seahawks leading to start the game 3-0, Kyle Shanahan and Brock Purdy led the 49ers down the field on a 12-play scoring drive.

Following a sack that resulted in a five-yard loss, Purdy used his legs to get the 49ers on the board with a rushing touchdown on the very next play. After scrambling, Purdy broke away with the ball down the sideline for a 10-yard rushing score to give the 49ers the lead 7-3.

Purdy’s touchdown against the Seahawks was his fourth rushing score of the 2024 campaign.

This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Nick Bosa secures early sack vs. Seahawks’ Geno Smith

The Pro Bowl edge rusher made an early impact against the Seahawks.

During their win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week, San Francisco 49ers star edge rusher Nick Bosa picked up a hip pointer injury. Heading into the 49ers’ Week 11 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, Bosa was listed as questionable.

Despite the injury designation, the All-Pro pass rusher was ruled active for Sunday’s contest in Santa Clara against the Seahawks. After kickoff, Bosa wasted no time making an impact against the 49ers’ NFC West rivals.

With the Seahawks threatening, Bosa helped force a field goal attempt with a clutch sack on the first possession of the game. Bosa blew past offensive tackle Abraham Lucas and cut the corner to wrap up Geno Smith for an early sack.

In nine games, Bosa has recorded 5.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss for the 49ers.

This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

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49ers injury update: George Kittle inactive vs. Seahawks

No George Kittle for the 49ers today.

The San Francisco 49ers have officially ruled out tight end George Kittle for Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks.

Kittle suffered a hamstring injury in Week 10 that head coach Kyle Shanahan didn’t seem concerned about when he spoke with media Monday. Shanahan said Kittle would miss Wednesday’s practice as part of the management of that injury. Kittle returned to action Thursday and Friday, but isn’t able to play Sunday.

His absence will be welcome news for the Seahawks after he got them for a pair of touchdowns in the 49ers’ win over Seattle back in Week 6.

Here are the 49ers Week 11 inactives:

QB Josh Dobbs (QB3)
CB Charvarius Ward (Personal)
TE George Kittle (hamstring)
DL Kevin Givens (groin)
OL Ben Bartch
DL Khalil Davis
WR Ronnie Bell

Not among the inactives are defensive end Nick Bosa and left tackle Trent Williams. Bosa is working through a hip injury, while Williams missed the entire week of practice because of an ankle issue.

Bosa told reporters his hip injury bothered him a lot in the team’s Week 10 victory in Tampa Bay. He had a light week of practice that allowed him to be ready for Sunday. Don’t be surprised if he winds up on a shorter rotation than normal while he manages his injury.

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49ers roster moves good news for defensive line ahead of Week 11

49ers roster moves ahead of Week 11:

The San Francisco 49ers are getting a key piece of their defensive line back ahead of their Week 11 showdown with the Seattle Seahawks.

Defensive lineman Yetur Gross-Matos has been activated off IR according to an announcement from the team. Punter Mitch Wishnowsky and cornerback Darrell Luter Jr. were both placed on IR, and punter Pat O’Donnell was promoted from the practice squad.

Wishnowsky is dealing with a back injury that initially cropped up in training camp and forced him to miss the preseason. He’ll now be out at least four weeks before he’s eligible to return. The team signed O’Donnell to the practice squad early in the week, signaling bad news for Wishnowsky’s status.

The Gross-Matos return could be significant for a 49ers defensive end rotation that has struggled to produce this season. Gross-Matos tried playing through a knee injury he suffered in training camp, but eventually it landed him on IR. That knee issue may have slowed him down some because in three games he posted only one tackle, one quarterback hit and five pressures according to Pro Football Focus.

Ideally Gross-Matos will fit as a defensive end who can also rush the passer from the interior. His return may help make up for the lack of acquisitions on the defensive line at the trade deadline. Sunday will mark his first action since the 49ers’ Week 4 win over the New England Patriots.

San Francisco also brought up cornerback Nick McCloud from the practice squad on a standard elevation. McCloud is a standout special teams player who will replace Luter who is now out for at least four weeks after suffering a pelvis injury in the lead up to Week 11.

Veteran safety Tashaun Gipson was also elevated from the practice squad to provide depth at a position where the 49ers have Ji’Ayir Brown, Malik Mustapha and George Odum on the roster.

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