Tag: Kyle Juszczyk

49ers injury news: Kyle Juszczyk leaves in 3rd quarter vs Seahawks

The All-Pro fullback exited the game in the third quarter against the Seahawks in Week 11.

After intercepting Geno Smith to start the second half, the San Francisco 49ers took over early in the third quarter with prime field position against the Seattle Seahawks.

As the 49ers approached the red zone, a key starter on offense appeared to suffer an injury. While trying to block for Brock Purdy on a scramble, All-Pro fullback Kyle Juszczyk appeared to get hit in the head. Juszczyk exited the game to the sideline and entered the blue medical tent.

Via @CamInman on Twitter:

Following his trip to the blue medical tent, the Fox broadcast reported Juszczyk was cleared from the concussion protocol.

Stay tuned to Niner Wire for more updates regarding Juszczyk’s status for the remainder of the game. We’ll provide updates once we have one.

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

Kyle Juszczyk explains evolution of 49ers offense in 2024

Why the 49ers offense has evolved so much this year:

There aren’t many players more familiar with the San Francisco 49ers offense than fullback Kyle Juszczyk, who has been with the club since signing as a free agent in 2017.

This season has been a little different than the last couple of years for the 49ers’ offense. They’re without reigning Offensive Player of the Year Christian McCaffrey, they’re struggling to score touchdowns in the red zone, and their trademark yards-after-catch haven’t been there.

Instead, San Francisco and quarterback Brock Purdy are pushing the ball down the field more often and finding throws outside the middle of the field where they’ve typically thrived.

Juszczyk joined the Candlestick Chronicles podcast with POM Wonderful pomegranate juice and explained that the changing offense is due to normal evolution, but it’s also a response to how they’re being defended.

“Like everything I think it’s a combination of both,” Juszczyk said. “I think when you speak about the YAC numbers, it’s harder to get yards after catch or contact when you’re throwing the ball downfield more. Whereas when you get these short dump-offs, and that’s where it’s kinda easier to gets yards after catch because defenses are further back.

“And yeah I think for so many years we were known for these in-breaking routes, throwing the ball over the middle, like that was most definitely our bread and butter. So teams are gonna start to adjust to that, and it’s just kinda natural that we start throwing out-breaking routes. It’s a cyclical thing and I’m sure that by the end of the season throwing the ball over the middle is gonna be our bread and butter again. It’s always gonna continue to go back and forth. It’s a chess match. So that’s where I really do think it’s a little bit of both. It’s the evolution of the offense. It’s Brock being more comfortable in the pocket, staying in there longer to take shots downfield. It’s how teams play us. It’s always a little bit of everything.”

Finding a way to utilize shorter throws and create more yards after catch may be the ultimate key to the 49ers’ success this season.

Purdy has already shown the ability to stretch defenses vertically. If they can supplement that with the short game and YAC they’ve been so good with the last few years, it might make them the best offense in the league.

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George Kittle and Kyle Jusczcyk celebrating a TD with their wives was so wholesome

So wholesome!

What a way to celebrate a touchdown.

Kyle Jusczcyk and George Kittle decided to put together a delightful touchdown celebration after the San Francisco 49ers tight end scored on Thursday night against the Seattle Seahawks — the pair had their wives sitting together in the stands, so they ran over, jumped in and gave them hugs.

Awww. And later, when Jusczcyk scored, he went over to Kristin for a second time, with the entire team joining him.

That’s just too stinking sweet. Here’s both of those moment from the Niners’ win over the Seahawks that had everyone delivering the heart emojis on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/oursf49ers/reel/DA-I5Y5xsnh/

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1844573445042102678

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Wives celebrate touchdowns as Niners down Seahawks

Wives got in on the 49ers’ TD celebrations

There was a different touchdown celebration in Seattle on Thursday. After George Kittle and Kyle Juszczyk each scored touchdowns in the fourth quarter, they headed to the stands where their respective wives were seated,

Firs, it was Kittle on the receiving end of a Brock Purdy pass.

Juszcyzk had to remind the tight end his wife, Kristin, and Claire Kittle were in the end zone seats.

The game-clinching score came by the fullback in the 36-24 win.

49ers injury updates: 11 players out or limited to begin Week 5

The 49ers’ practice participation report from Wednesday is scary!

The San Francisco 49ers’ practice participation report was crowded Wednesday as the team began its on-field preparations for Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals.

It’s not a huge surprise there are a ton of names on the list. 11 players were either non-participants or limited in Wednesday’s session. A slew of 49ers were banged up in their Week 4 win over the New England Patriots, and head coach Kyle Shanahan on Monday in a conference call indicated each of the players hurt Sunday were considered day-to-day.

The day-to-day designation gives some hope that Wednesday was a precautionary day off for a group headlined by superstar linebacker Fred Warner. Still, no practice to start the week isn’t a great sign. Thursday and Friday will give us better indications of their Week 5 availability.

Here’s the practice report from Wednesday:

Did not participate

WR Chris Conley (oblique)
WR Jacob Cowing (shoulder)
DE Yetur Gross-Matos (knee)
TE George Kittle (ribs)
LB Fred Warner (ankle)
LB Dee Winters (ankle)

Yikes! The 49ers have the depth to make up for a game without Conley or Cowing. They’ve been able to get by without Winters this year while he’s dealt with a nagging ankle issue. Even though they’re thin on the defensive line, they should even be able to piece together a DL if Gross-Matos is out. Navigating life without Kittle and Warner would be exceedingly difficult though, particularly against a division opponent desperate for a win.

Limited participation

DT Jordan Elliott (knee)
LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (calf)
DT Kevin Givens (triceps)
S Talanoa Hufanga (ankle)
LT Trent Williams (not injury related – resting player)

It’s a good sign that Hufanga was at least limited after sitting out Sunday’s game. That bodes well for his chances to play. Elliott also left Sunday’s game early with knee swelling. It looks like he has a shot to suit up Sunday as well with a limited practice to start the week. Either way, the glut of defensive linemen dealing with injury issues isn’t going to help the 49ers’ defense stabilize after a rough start to the year.

Full participation

DT Kalia Davis (knee)
FB Kyle Juszczyk (shoulder)

The 49ers opened Davis’s practice window Wednesday. A full practice to get started is a really positive sign for him. He hurt his knee in the preseason opener and required surgery. Getting him back as a depth piece on the D-line would be huge.

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49ers get good injury news on LB Fred Warner, others hurt in Week 4

Some 49ers injury updates from Kyle Shanahan’s Monday conference call:

The San Francisco 49ers exited their Week 4 victory over the New England Patriots with a slew of new injury problems from the game.

Six players were hurt during the game including linebacker Fred Warner. Warner exited the game just before the end of the first half and never returned. The All-Pro LB tried to return, but head coach Kyle Shanahan said he wasn’t able to. Warner wound up skipping the entire second half.

Immediately after the game Shanahan didn’t have an update, but he had a positive one Monday in a conference call with reporters.

Warner is considered day-to-day with an ankle issue.

That day-to-day designation was given to the other five players hurt as well. Wide receiver Jacob Cowing has a shoulder issue, defensive tackle Jordan Elliott is working through a knee injury, tight end George Kittle is dealing with a rib injury, WR Chris Conley has an oblique injury, and fullback Kyle Juszczyk has a shoulder injury.

It doesn’t sound like there’s any major concern with any of those ailments. Shanahan indicated there’s hope each player will be able to heal up in time to play against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 5.

Last week quarterback Brock Purdy was listed as day-to-day with a back injury. He wound up a full participant in all three practices.

The 49ers will have the day off Tuesday. Wednesday’s practice report will give us a better indication of where each player is for Week 5. For now, day-to-day is a good sign.

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49ers injury news piles up in Week 4 win over Patriots

The 49ers have more injury issues after Week 4 where Fred Warner missed the entire second half.

The San Francisco 49ers can’t quite get their injury situation to stabilize. Sunday’s 30-13 victory over the Patriots came with a whole new set of question marks on the health front.

Most notably, linebacker Fred Warner is dealing with an ankle injury that sidelined him for the entire second half of Sunday’s game. Warner came out of the tunnel for the second half looking like he’d return after leaving late in the first half. However, he was unable to make his way onto the field once the game began.

“I don’t, I know Fred tried to go, came out in third quarter and tried to go, but didn’t feel like he could,” head coach Kyle Shanahan said in his post-game press conference.

This is a significant deal that should be watched closely given how vital Warner is to the 49ers’ defense.

He jogged to the locker room before the half and ran off the field after the game which points toward him being at least somewhat healthy. On the other hand, that he didn’t return to the game and that Shanahan didn’t have an update afterward isn’t a great sign.

Warner wasn’t the only injury issue for the 49ers though.

Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott, who became an essential piece of the 49ers’ defense, exited with a knee injury after dealing with a foot injury in practice during the week. Shanahan said the team doesn’t think the knee injury is ACL-related.

Tight end George Kittle briefly exited with a rib injury, but he returned. Wide receivers Jacob Cowing (shoulder) and Chris Conley (oblique) both had injury issues and returned to the game. Fullback Kyle Juszczyk left the game late with shoulder injury per Shanahan, although the severity of that is unknown as well.

Shanahan is scheduled talk to media again Monday at 3:30pm Pacific Time, at that point he’ll have additional updates.

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Kyle Juszczyk believes 49ers star RB will return from injury in ‘no time’

The star running back suffered a calf injury that will sideline him through the preseason.

Even in a dress rehearsal situation, the San Francisco 49ers won’t get a look at their All-Pro running back during the preseason. Christian McCaffrey suffered a calf injury that has ruled him out throughout the preseason. Yet, despite his injury, his teammate in the backfield Kyle Juszczyk believes McCaffrey will be back on the field in “no time.”

Following practice on Thursday, the 49ers fullback hit the podium and spoke to reporters about McCaffrey, saying he’s been reminding Juszczyk that he’s getting a little bit closer to returning each day. Juszczyk said McCaffrey is “coming at the bit” to get on the field and join his teammates.

He is always super determined. He’s always striving for more. It really is never enough for him. You can see It’s killing him for him not to be out there. He’s always chomping at the bit. He makes sure to remind me every day that he’s getting a little bit closer. He’s going to have those cleats on the grass in no time. He’s going to be Christian McCaffrey. He’s going to go do his thing and be one of the best players in the world.

Via @957thegame on Twitter:

Along with positive words from his teammate, McCaffrey was seen going through an extensive workout on the side of practice that included catching passes, according to ESPN’s Nick Wagoner.

Via @nwagoner on Twitter:

McCaffrey is coming off a Pro Bowl campaign, earning AP Offensive Player of the Year with 1459 yards rushing and 564 yards receiving along with 21 touchdowns.

Regardless of how long it takes, the 49ers will likely continue to be as cautious as possible with McCaffrey’s calf injury. While he’s on the sideline, Jordan Mason will get an increase in reps, along with Elijah Mitchell and rookies Isaac Guerendo and Cody Schrader.

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

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Fantasy football: Commanders TE Ben Sinnott a sleeper in 2024

Could Commanders rookie TE Ben Sinnott be a fantasy sleeper in 2024?

Washington Commanders rookie tight end Ben Sinnott has been quiet during his first training camp. Please don’t mistake that, for he’s had a bad training camp. He hasn’t. Through the first two weeks, veteran starter Zach Ertz has handled the majority of snaps as Sinnott gets acclimated to the NFL game.

In fantasy football terms, if you’re looking for tight end help from the Commanders, Ertz is probably your guy. The 33-year-old looks rejuvenated after reuniting with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.

Tight end production isn’t always easy to find in the NFL. Not every team has a tight end who puts up big numbers. So, if you’re playing a league that starts two tight ends, you could be searching high and low for some sneaky production.

Enter Sinnott.

The Commanders spent the No. 53 overall pick on the former Kansas State star. Sinnott was KSU’s best player, and he’s big, athletic and versatile. One of the reasons why Washington liked Sinnott was because he was a willing blocker, but it could move him across the formation. So, if Ertz is the only tight end on the field, Sinnott could play some fullback or H-Back.

Sinnott will see the field in 2024, and that playing time could increase throughout the season.

NFL.com recently looked at 10 fantasy sleepers at tight end, and Sinnott came in at No. 10.

Projected draft position: Round 17 (TE23)

A second rookie tight end? Have I lost my mind? Maybe, but see my comment about rookies in the Brock Bowers section and then take a gander at Ben Sinnott’s profile. The 6-foot-4, 250-pound athlete out of Kansas State exceeded draft expectations with his Round 2 selection, after turning in a stellar performance at the NFL combine that included a 40-inch vertical jump, a 10-foot-6-inch broad jump and a 6.82-second 3-cone drill.

General manager Adam Peters compared Sinnott to two 49ers: All-Pro fullback Kyle Juszczyk and All-Pro tight end George Kittle. Peters was in San Francisco when the 49ers acquired both players.

Keep in mind that Ertz will be 34 in November. He’s dealt with injuries over the past two seasons, so if he can’t make it through the season healthy, Sinnott becomes even more valuable.

What does new Commanders TE Ben Sinnott think of comparisons to 49ers’ stars?

Could Ben Sinnott be Washington’s long-term answer at tight end?

When the Washington Commanders selected Kansas State tight end Ben Sinnott with the No. 53 overall selection in the 2024 NFL draft, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah compared him to a pair of San Francisco 49ers: Fullback Kyle Juszczyk and tight end George Kittle.

After the second round, general manager Adam Peters offered the same comparisons.

And when you watch Sinnott on film, it’s easy to see a mix between the two stars. While no one is saying outright that Sinnott is the next Juszczyk or Kittle, his size, athleticism, style and versatility make it a worthwhile comp.

So, what does Sinnott think of those comparisons?

“It’s crazy to even be in conversation or have anyone even think to compare you to guys of that caliber. It means everything,” Sinnott said this week in an appearance on “Grant and Danny,” on 106.7 The Fan, via Lou DiPietro of Audacy.

“Hearing that, and the trust that he has for me, it’s super inspiring, and it gives me a lot of confidence going forward.”

Speaking specifically of Kittle, one of the NFL’s best tight ends, he was 6-foot-4 and weighed 247 pounds at the 2017 NFL combine. He ran a 4.51-second 40-yard dash. Sinnott measured in at 6-foot-4, 250 pounds, running the 40 in 4.68 seconds. However, Sinnott bested Kittle’s vertical leap by five inches. Kittle spent a portion of his childhood in Iowa and played at the University of Iowa, while Sinnott was born and raised in the state of Iowa.

He spoke a little more on those comparisons.

“Through the process I’ve kind of heard a little bit of everything how people view me, but I think how the front office and the coaches with the Commanders view me is perfect,” Sinnott said.

“I just think I’m a play-making tight end but have the ability to be an h-back or get in the backfield and be a fullback. I think the versatility brings a lot of value to what this organization is gonna do, so I’m super excited for that.”

There was no tight end in the 2024 NFL draft like Sinnott. He can line up in a number of positions and can also make an impact in the run game. The Commanders have lacked that type of versatility at the position for years.