Tag: Niners

49ers head coach won’t commit to using rookie WR despite injuries

After impressing in the preseason, the rookie wide receiver has yet to record a catch through two games.

Heading down to Southern California for the first time in the 2024 season, the San Francisco 49ers will be shorthanded when it comes to pass catchers.

With Christian McCaffrey already on the injured reserve, Deebo Samuel has been ruled out due to injury for Week 3 in Los Angeles. Along with McCaffrey and Samuel, the 49ers could also be missing tight end George Kittle due to a hamstring injury.

With multiple playmakers potentially sidelined, Kyle Shanahan and Brock Purdy will need a player to step up on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams.

Behind Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings, rookie Jacob Cowing is a candidate to see an increased role. On Friday, Shanahan was asked about Cowing during his press conference after practice in Santa Clara. The 49ers head coach didn’t reveal much when it came to Cowing’s potential role for Sunday.

Possibly. He’s got more opportunities with guys down. He’ll be in the rotation there. Possibly. He gets better and better each week. So, looking to see where he can fill in.

Watch Shanahan’s full presser from Friday via @49ers on Twitter. 

Cowing has yet to earn a target two weeks into his rookie campaign with the 49ers. The Arizona Wildcats product has served as the team’s primary punt returner in the opening games. However, Cowing did fumble a muffed punt during the 49ers’ loss to the Vikings in Week 2.

The fourth-round pick impressed in the preseason, recording seven catches for 90 yards and a touchdown. Cowing also picked up 19 yards on a single rush in the preseason.

The 49ers are set to meet the Rams on Sunday at 1:25 p.m. PT at SoFi Stadium.

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

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49ers working out three defensive backs

On Tuesday, the 49ers hosted a trio of defensive backs for a workout.

After suffering their first loss of the season on the road to the Minnesota Vikings, the San Francisco 49ers appear to be looking to bring in some help in the defensive secondary before moving on to a Week 3 contest against Matt Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams.

According to NFL Reporter Aaron Wilson, the 49ers worked out three defensive backs on Tuesday. Tre Herndon, Danny Johnson and Chandon Sullivan worked out for the 49ers, per Wilson.

Via @AaronWilson_NFL on Twitter

https://twitter.com/AaronWilson_NFL/status/1836150253558374655

Herndon, played six seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars before signing with the New York Giants in June. The Giants later released the former Vanderbilt Commodore. The veteran corner has started 34 games over his career with three total interceptions.

Johnson went undrafted out of Southern University in the 2018 draft before playing six seasons with the Washington Commanders. Johnson has recorded 14 pass deflections and one forced fumble in 66 career games with the Commanders.

Sullivan has bounced around the NFL since going undrafted out of Georgia State in 2018. Sullivan has had stops with the Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings and most recently the Pittsburgh Steelers. In 88 career games, the 28-eight-year-old has notched eight interceptions and two forced fumbles.

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

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Niners pressure on WR Brandon Aiyuk could benefit the Steelers

The Steelers might be getting closer to a Brandon Aiyuk trade.

It sounds like the San Francisco 49ers are done waiting for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. According to NFL Network reporter Mike Garafolo, the hold-in Aiyuk held this offseason and preseason was one thing but now it is time for him to come practice and prepare to play.

If the Niners decide it’s now or never for Aiyuk and if he simply refuses it could necessitate a trade even if it isn’t the best deal for San Francisco. Pittsburgh has sat back patiently and waited to see how all of this will play out and they might finally be reaching a point where they will get some payoff for waiting.

If Aiyuk doesn’t blink and the Niners stand pat, that will become a San Francisco issue with fines and suspensions and such. But if the Steelers have really carried a barebones wide receiver group this far in anticipation of trading for Aiyuk, what is their next step?

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49ers renew effort to sign All-Pro WR to long-term contract

After multiple trade rumors, the 49ers are reportedly renewing efforts to sign their star pass catcher to a long-term contract.

While all signs pointed toward a potential trade, there’s been another twist in the Brandon Aiyuk saga with the San Francisco 49ers. After reports surfaced earlier in the week, about the framework of trades being in place with multiple teams for Aiyuk, momentum could be swinging back in favor of the 49ers.

According to Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, the 49ers have made a “renewed” effort in recent days to sign Aiyuk to a long-term deal. Pelissero and Garafolo reported the situation is “fluid,” with other teams interested in trading for Aiyuk still in the mix.

Via @TomPelissero on Twitter:

Since the minutes after the Super Bowl went final, there has been constant questions, chatter and rumors regarding Aiyuk’s future with the 49ers. The former first-round pick out of Arizona State is seeking a new massive contract as he enters the final year of his rookie deal with the 49ers. The 49ers have yet to budge as Aiyuk has been “holding in” at training camp.

With the preseason opener approaching and the start of the regular season looming, there have been links to multiple trades with the New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers being potential partners.

Although the saga has been stretched out, the ideal solution would be for Aiyuk to land a new contract with the 49ers. Aiyuk is coming off an All-Pro season, recording a career-best 1342 yards receiving with seven touchdowns.

Stay tuned at Niners Wire for all the latest updates regarding Aiyuk’s situation with the 49ers.

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

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49ers release proven veteran TE

After signing in early June, the 49ers released the veteran tight end before their first preseason game.

Before suiting up for their first preseason game on Saturday in Tennessee, the San Francisco 49ers made a surprise roster move. After signing tight end Logan Thomas in June, the 49ers released the proven veteran on Friday.

In corresponding moves, the 49ers signed edge rusher Jonathan Garvin and punter Pressley Harvin III to one-year deals. The 49ers also placed edge rusher Austin Bryant on the injured reserve list.

Via @TomPelissero on Twitter:

Thomas provided a proven option behind George Kittle on the 49ers’ tight end depth chart which is currently filled with young players and journeymen. During a four-year stint with the Washington Commanders, Thomas racked up 1685 yards receiving and 14 touchdown catches.

Sophomores Brayden Willis and Cam Latu along with veteran Eric Saubert currently fill out San Francisco’s tight end room. Willis and Latu have yet to register a reception in the NFL while Saubert has 36 receptions over six seasons in the NFL.

With Thomas released, Latu and Willis will have the remainder of training camp and the preseason to battle for the No. 2 tight end spot behind Kittle on the depth chart.

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

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Does 49ers WR signing impact Brandon Aiyuk contract talks?

The veteran pass catcher played eight games with the Miami Dolphins last season.

On Thursday, the San Francisco 49ers made an addition to their receiving core. The 49ers signed veteran pass catcher Robbie Chosen, formerly known as Robbie Anderson.

Chosen has played eight seasons in the NFL, most recently with Mike McDaniel and the Miami Dolphins. Chosen played nine games with the Dolphins last season, Chosen notched four receptions for 126 yards and a touchdown. Prior to Chosen joining the Dolphins, the Temple product played with the New York Jets, Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals.

Via @TomPelissero on Twitter:

Although there is currently constant chatter and speculation surrounding Brandon Aiyuk’s contract talks with the 49ers or a potential trade, the addition of another speedy wide receiver shouldn’t play a role in Aiyuk’s situation in Santa Clara.

While Chosen adds a serious speed threat to whatever field he steps on, it would be a surprise if he’s leaned on as a potential contingency plan if Aiyuk exits the Bay Area in a trade.

With proven veterans like Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings filling San Francisco’s receiving core and young players like Ricky Pearsall dealing with an injury and Jacob Cowing coming off an injury, Chosen will likely have a chance to fill reps and make a case for a roster spot in practice and the preseason.

However once Pearsall and Cowing return to form, they will likely eat up reps in Aiyuk’s absence along with other young pass catchers Ronnie Bell and Danny Gray.

Despite having some proven experience with the Jets and Panthers and some familiarity with scheme after playing with McDaniel in Miami, Chosen’s arrival in the Bay Area shouldn’t have much impact on Aiyuk’s situation with the 49ers.

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

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Will the Steelers trade for WR Brandon Aiyuk?

Cast your vote and tell us if the Steelers are going to make the big trade.

News broke on Tuesday by NFL reporter Mike Garofolo that San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has requested a trade from the Niners. Aiyuk and the Niners have had several meetings this offseason to try and work out a long-term contract extension but to no avail.

One of the teams most mentioned most in rumor and speculation surrounding Aiyuk is the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers have a serious need at wide receiver after trading away Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers.

The Steelers have plenty of opportunities to replace Johnson via free agency or the 2024 NFL but it never came to fruition.

But now, with Aiyuk officially on the market, this might be the opportunity the Steelers have been waiting for. Aiyuk and George Pickens would be one of the top tandems in the AFC.

Cast your vote and let us know if you think the Steelers will pull off a blockbuster trade for Aiyuk.

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Things heating up between the Niners and WR Brandon Aiyuk

The Niners and Brandon Aiyuk are meeting to talk contract but he is open to the idea of being traded.

The ongoing soap opera that is the contract situation of San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has another episode and Pittsburgh Steelers fans are glued to the screen to see what happens next.

According to former Steelers safety Ryan Clark, the offers so far from the Niners haven’t been what Aiyuk thinks he deserves and he is taking the offers personally. Aiyuk also told Clark he wants to return to the Niners but is comfortable playing elsewhere. The Steelers have been a team associated with Aiyuk through rumors and reports which forces us to keep a close eye on this whole situation.

Aiyuk caught 75 passes for 1,342 yards and seven receiving touchdowns in 2023. Aiyuk saw a huge uptick in receiving yards from 2022 and he is hoping to parlay that huge season into a contract on par with many of the huge deals top receivers are getting.

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Steelers named as trade destination for WR Deebo Samuel

Could the Steelers make a summer trade for Deebo Samuel?

During much of the offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been part of speculation surrounding a trade for one of the two most highly productive San Francisco 49ers wide receivers. But the 2024 NFL draft came and went, and neither Deebo Samuel nor Brandon Aiyuk was traded.

Justin Melo at Pro Football Network wondered if Samuel could still be part of a trade after June 1 and in his pondering named the Steelers as one of the three teams who would make sense. Here’s what he had to say about the Steelers and a trade:

Depending on how the Steelers view Wilson’s capability to play outside, Van Jefferson is slated to be a starter in 11 or 12 personnel. Jefferson played for new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith in Atlanta last season, averaging just 39% of offensive snaps in his final four appearances. Smith possesses one of the most creative minds in the league and would likely appreciate an opportunity to replace Jefferson with Samuel, who would align all over his offensive formations.

We will continue to hold out hope that the Steelers will find a way to bring Samuel or Aiyuk into the fold this season. The Steelers have put in so much work to improve the offense this offseason we hate to think they will fall short because they lack a quality starting wide receiver.

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49ers select fastest player in NFL combine history in Daniel Jeremiah mock draft

How about the combine record holder in the 40-yard dash going to the #49ers in Daniel Jeremiah’s final mock draft?

On the eve of the NFL draft, NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah has connected an intriguing name to the 49ers in his final mock draft. Jeremiah has San Francisco selecting Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy No. 31 overall.

If Worthy’s name sounds familiar it’s because he set an NFL combine record this year when he ripped off a 4.21 in the 40-yard dash. His performance at the combine put him immediately into the conversation as a first-round pick and now Jeremiah believes he’ll be San Francisco’s selection when they’re finally on the clock with the penultimate pick in the first round.

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Speed is certainly Worthy’s main calling card, especially after the catch where he is electric with the ball in his hands. It also allowed him to be productive across all three of his college seasons. He posted 981 yards as a freshman with 12 touchdowns, and finished his career with 197 catches for 2,755 yards and 26 touchdown catches. Worthy was also a tremendous punt returner who averaged nearly 14 yards per return in his career.

The 49ers have been on the hunt for a speedy wide receiver since Marquise Goodwin’s exit after the 2019 campaign. They haven’t had success with Danny Gray who didn’t see any action last year because of a shoulder injury that sidelined him for the season, but even as a rookie he posted just one catch for 10 yards on seven targets.

Worthy would presumably take on the role Gray was supposed to fill as a field stretcher with a refined route tree that allows him to be effective at all three levels of the passing game.

One red flag with Worthy though is how well his body will stand up to NFL contact. He measured at 5-11, 169 pounds at his Pro Day, which is a concern that may be quelled by the fact he never missed a game in college.

It’s unclear whether Jeremiah has the 49ers going with Worthy because he believes they’ll trade Brandon Aiyuk, or if he believes the pair will coexist long-term with San Francisco. Either way the fit makes sense as long as Worthy can continue being an explosive playmaker in the first and second levels of the passing game.

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