Tag: kevin givens

49ers injuries: DL Kevin Givens questionable to return vs. Bucs

Kevin Givens (knee) is questionable to return for the 49ers.

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The 49ers are already dealing with injuries in their game against the Buccaneers. Defensive lineman Kevin Givens went down on their first defensive series and he’s listed as questionable to return with a knee injury.

Givens was shown on the TV broadcast being taken off the field on a cart. He’s started every game for San Francisco since Week 3, and his absence leaves the 49ers very thin on the interior.

Kerry Hyder has taken over for Givens on the inside, but with Hassan Ridgeway and Javon Kinlaw both sidelined with injuries, the 49ers don’t have a ton of true DT options.

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49ers DL Kevin Givens flies in untouched for sack vs. Cardinals

Kevin Givens is having an excellent outing against the Cardinals, and came up with a sack.

Kevin Givens had a huge night for San Francisco in Mexico City. He came up with a couple of big run stops, then found his way through for a sack in a big spot in the third quarter. Facing a second-and-8 and looking to cut into a 24-10 49ers lead, Cardinals QB Colt McCoy had no time to step up and throw with Givens bearing down on him. The sack put the Cardinals in a third-and-18, and they eventually punted.

49ers highlights: Kevin Givens, Kevin taketh

Kevin Givens came up with his first sack since 2020 for the #49ers.

The 49ers defensive line was dominant Sunday night in Denver through the first two-plus quarters. They posted four sacks, including one by Kevin Givens, who saw an expanded role in Arik Armstead’s absence. It was his first sack of the season and second of his career. His only sack prior to Sunday night came in 2020.

 

Kevin Givens could be key for 49ers amid potential Arik Armstead absence

A rotational #49ers defensive lineman could be thrust into a starring role if Arik Armstead is out. @nicholasmcgee24 explains:

The 49ers could be without Arik Armstead for their primetime Week 3 clash with the Denver Broncos because of a foot injury and, with the interior the weakest part of their stacked defensive line, there’s some concern that his absence could be a critical one.

But San Francisco still has talent up the middle to fill the void should Armstead be unable to play, with Kevin Givens likely to take on an increased role if the Niners are without the former Oregon Duck.

Givens has been a consistent feature of the 49ers’ defensive line rotation after joining the team as an undrafted free agent in 2019.

Though he only has one sack in his NFL career, Givens has continually excelled as a penetrator on the defensive front with his quickness and hand usage, allowing him to create interior pressure and make plays in the backfield against the run.

Givens can hold his ground at the point of attack and even stand firm against double teams. He also has the ability to quickly disengage from blocks and find the ball carrier.

There may be more of an onus on Javon Kinlaw and Charles Omenihu to deliver interior pass rush if Armstead is out. Kinlaw has had success pushing the pocket in the first two games but more will be expected of the 2020 first-round pick, while Omenihu was excellent playing inside and out in the 49ers’ Week 2 win over the Seahawks.

Hassan Ridgeway will see snaps at nose tackle, while Kerry Hyder Jr. could also be moved inside to compensate for a potential Armstead absence.

But Beyond Armstead and Kinlaw, Givens is the only primary interior player the 49ers have on the active roster whom they can keep on the field on both run and passing downs and expect to make an impact in defending both facets of opposing offenses.

The 49ers will obviously hope Armstead is ready to play on Sunday but, if he isn’t, Givens will likely see a significant bump in snaps and his previous performances suggest one of the more underrated players on this excellent defense will deliver a reminder of his value.

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Every Penn State player on an NFL opening day roster in 2022

Here is every former Penn State plater on an NFL roster to start the new NFL season in 2022.

The start of a new season in the National Football League is here and there will be a good amount of Penn State flavor throughout the league this season. Penn State will have the eighth most players on an NFL opening day roster this season with 34 players appearing on an NFL team’s 53-man roster to start the season (plus two additional players on injured reserve and another on the physically unable to perform list). In all, Penn State claims 44 players are on NFL rosters to start the year with the inclusion of practice squad players.

That includes nine players who were on the Penn State roster in 2021, including wide receiver [autotag]Jahan Dotson[/autotag], defensive end [autotag]Arnold Ebiketie[/autotag], and safety [autotag]Jaquan Brisker[/autotag]. Dotson is one of four Penn State players on the Washington Commanders, the most of any NFL franchise to start the season.

Former kicker [autotag]Robbie Gould[/autotag] continues to be the elder statesman of the Nittany Lions football family in the NFL. Gould, of the San Francisco 49ers, is entering his 19th season in the NFL.

Here is a look at every Penn State player on either an NFL team’s 53-man roster or practice squad at the start of the 2022 season.

WATCH: Penn State’s Nick Scott delivers monster textbook hit in NFC Championship Game

BOOM! Nick Scott flattened 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel in NFC Championship Game

A spot in the Super Bowl is on the line in Los Angeles, and a couple of former Penn State players are having an impact on the game after one half of play. Kevin Givens has been bringing pressure on Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, Robbie Gould has given the San Francisco 1 0-7 halftime lead, and Nick Scott delivered the hit of the game so far.

Scott laid a clean textbook hit on 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel in the second quarter of the game, with the 49ers eventually driving down to take a lead at halftime. Bt Scott made things a little more challenging by breaking up a pass intended for Samuel over the middle. While a flag was thrown on the play, officials picked up the flag after taking things over and agreeing the hit was as clean as it could be.

Whoever wins the NFC Championship Game, Penn State will be represented in the Super Bowl. The winner takes on Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals, who delivered an overtime victory on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs earlier in the day.

Follow Nittany Lions Wire on Twitter and like us on Facebook for continuing Penn State coverage and discussion.

Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

Every former Penn State player in the NFL playoffs this weekend

Every former Penn State player still on an NFL playoff team’s roster entering conference championship weekend

The NFL’s conference championship weekend has arrived. After one of the best divisional rounds in NFL history with all four games being decided on the final plays of the game, the stage is set to determine which franchises will be crowned as the champions of the AFC and NFC with a date in the Super Bowl awaiting the conference champions. Although the total number has been slashed as the playoff games have gone by, there is still hope for a Penn State player to add a Super Bowl ring to their name.

There is a 100% chance a Penn State player will be on a roster for a team playing in the Super Bowl, as both participants in the NFC Championship Game (Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers) have multiple former Penn State players on their rosters. The same cannot be said for the AFC contenders, however. Neither the Kansas City Chiefs nor the Cincinnati Bengals have a former Nittany Lion on their roster.

Here is an updated look at each former Nittany Lions still on a roster for a team taking the field this weekend in the NFL’s conference championship weekend.

49ers roster moves: 2 DL officially activated, Javon Kinlaw, Jaquiski Tartt go on IR

The #49ers made some roster moves on the defensive line ahead of their Week 8 game in Chicago.

The 49ers on Saturday announced a handful of roster moves ahead of their Week 8 showdown with the Bears in Chicago. Most of the shuffling came on the defensive line where Kevin Givens was activated off injured reserve and Jordan Willis was added to the roster following the conclusion of his suspension. Javon Kinlaw, who underwent season-ending knee surgery, was officially placed on IR, along with strong safety Jaquiski Tartt who is dealing with a knee contusion. Tight end Jordan Matthews and safety Kai Nacua were elevated from the practice squad.

Givens suffered a high ankle sprain in the 49ers’ Week 2 win over the Eagles. He’s been a nice find for them since joining the team as an undrafted free agent in 2019. In 16 career games he has 1.0 sacks, 21 tackles and five tackles for loss. His presence on the interior will be key in Kinlaw’s absence.

The NFL handed Willis a six-game suspension this offseason for violating their performance-enhancing substance policy. That suspension was lifted after the 49ers’ loss to the Colts, and he was with the team in the lead up to Week 8 thanks to a roster exemption that allows suspended players to be on the roster for a week without counting against the 53-player limit.

Willis’ return will be key with Dee Ford likely out with a concussion and Samson Ebukam questionable with an ankle issue. The 49ers acquired Willis in a trade with the Jets last season. He posted 2.5 sacks in seven games.

Kinlaw had knee surgery to help fix a problem that had ailed him since the draft. The hope is a season-ending procedure now will help him be ready to play a full slate next year after missing two games this season. His absence in the middle will require the 49ers to dig into the depth the established in the interior this offseason.

Tartt is expected to miss a few weeks with his knee injury, and an IR stint means he’ll miss a minimum of three games. He was injured in the 49ers’ loss to the Colts in Week 7. Rookie Talanoa Hufanga will take his place in the starting lineup.

Matthews gives the 49ers some additional tight end depth. He’s a better pass-catching option than Tanner Hudson who had been working as the third tight end with George Kittle out.

Nacua will help the depth in the secondary and fill a special teams role while Hufanga gets the start at safety.

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49ers have reinforcements coming at defensive line, linebacker

A #49ers DL could be returning from IR just in the nick of time, and more front 7 help could be on the way.

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The 49ers on Wednesday opened the practice window for defensive lineman Kevin Givens in hopes of getting him back as a heavy piece of the rotation as early as this week in Chicago. They’ve yet to open the practice window for linebacker Dre Greenlaw, but his return could be coming in Week 9 when the 49ers return home to face the Cardinals.

Givens went down with a high ankle sprain in Week 2 and went on injured reserve. His return comes at a good time for the 49ers with DL Javon Kinlaw possibly facing season-ending surgery.

The 49ers expected Givens, an undrafted rookie in 2019, to step in and be a key piece of a deep defensive front. He hasn’t been able to contribute much, but he’ll get plenty of work when he does come back. Givens has played 16 games in his career and posted 1.0 sacks, 21 tackles and five tackles for loss.

Greenlaw’s injury was a blow to a 49ers linebacking corps that’s had some depth issues. He hurt his groin on a pick-six in the first week of the year. That remains the 49ers’ lone interception this season. The team placed Greenlaw on IR the following week.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan said there’s no real chance Greenlaw returns for Week 8, but he was more optimistic he could be back by Week 9 when the 49ers begin back-to-back divisional games at home against the Cardinals and Rams.

Greenlaw, a 2019 fifth-round pick, has started 23 of his 30 games as a pro. He has 184 tackles, two interceptions and 2.0 sacks. Azeez Al-Shaair, who is typically the Sam linebacker, has taken over the Will spot with Greenlaw out.

 

49ers injuries: DL Kevin Givens questionable to return vs. Eagles

The #49ers have announced Kevin Givens is questionable to return with an ankle injury.

The 49ers couldn’t get out of the first quarter against the Eagles without a player exiting because of an injury. Defensive tackle Kevin Givens walked slowly off the field with an ankle issue and is questionable to return.

San Francisco has a little better depth on the interior against the Eagles with Javon Kinlaw’s return, but with DL Zach Kerr inactive it’s still a little thin inside where the 49ers were gashed by the Lions’ run game in Week 1.