Tag: San Francisco

Dec 22, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dee Winters (53) carries the ball after an interception for a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth quarter of the game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Cowboys acquire 49ers starting LB Dee Winters for 5th-round pick

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Dallas Cowboys continued to bolster their defense on Friday, trading a fifth-round draft pick for San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dee Winters.

Winters, 25, started all 17 regular-season games last season and had team-high 101 tackles as well as eight tackles for loss, five passes defended and one interception which he returned 74 yards for a touchdown.

A native of Brenham, Texas, Winters has 155 career tackles, eight tackles for loss, three quarterback hits, 10 passes defended and the one interception in 47 regular-season games (27 starts). Winters also has played in four playoff games (one start) and has 10 tackles.

San Francisco selected Winters in the sixth round of the 2023 draft out of TCU.

The 49ers now have the 152nd overall pick that belonged to the Cowboys, who went defense in the first round on Thursday by selecting Ohio State safety Caleb Downs (11th overall) and UCF pass rusher Malachi Lawrence (23rd). Dallas did not have a second-round pick.

The Cowboys traded defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa to the 49ers for a third-round pick (92nd overall) on March 11.

–Field Level Media

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw (57) celebrates his interception during the third quarter at Levi's Stadium.

Reports: LB Dre Greenlaw returning to 49ers on 1-year deal

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Linebacker Dre Greenlaw has agreed to a one-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers, where he played his first six years before leaving last season for the Denver Broncos, according to multiple reports on Thursday.

Greenlaw, a fifth-round draft pick by the 49ers in 2019 out of Arkansas, will play for a deal worth $7.5 million, NFL Network reported.

The Broncos released Greenlaw, 28, this week after signing him to a three-year, $31.5 million contract last offseason. He finished with 43 tackles, one sack, one interception and one forced fumble in eight games (seven starts). He also had 10 tackles in two playoff games (no starts).

He had missed Denver’s offseason program and the first six games of the 2025 slate because of thigh injuries. The league also suspended him for one game because of a confrontation with referee Brad Allen after the Broncos converted a game-winning field goal to defeat the New York Giants 33-32 in Greenlaw’s first game with the team. The league said Greenlaw chased after Allen “and verbally threatened him as he tried to leave the field.”

Greenlaw tore his Achilles tendon while playing for the 49ers in the 2023 season’s Super Bowl, a 25-22 overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He played in only two games for San Francisco the following season.

He has 498 tackles, 4.5 sacks, four interceptions, 20 tackles for loss, 11 quarterback hits, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 72 regular-season games (63 starts) for the 49ers (2019-24) and Broncos.

–Field Level Media

Dec 21, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) reacts a touchdown during the first half against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

WR Mike Evans to leave Bucs, reportedly join Niners

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Mike Evans is leaving Tampa after playing all 12 years of his career with the Buccaneers.

Evans is reportedly signing a three-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers, according to multiple reports Monday.

“Saying goodbye to a legend such as Mike Evans is never easy, but today we are filled with appreciation and gratitude for all that he did during his extraordinary 12-year career as a Buccaneer,” the Buccaneers posted Monday on social media.

The Buccaneers and Evans’ agent, Deryk Gilmore, cited the 32-year-old’s desire for a “new challenge” as the main motivating factor in the move, which cannot become official until Wednesday, the first day of the 2026 league year.

“The Buccaneers made it clear they would have loved for Mike to finish his career in Tampa and potentially become just the fourth player in franchise history to spend his entire career as a Buccaneer and ultimately walk into Canton representing the organization,” agent Deryk Gilmore said in a statement, per ESPN.

“Mike Evans’ decision to leave Tampa was never about money. The Buccaneers were extremely aggressive in their pursuit and presented a very strong offer, demonstrating how much they value him and everything he has meant to the franchise. In the end, this decision simply came down to Mike wanting a new challenge and a fresh opportunity while he still feels he has a great deal left to give the game.”

The Buccaneers selected Evans seventh overall in the 2014 draft. He was a key piece in the Tom Brady-led squad that won the Super Bowl after 2020 season.

“Tampa Bay will always be a special place for Mike Evans, and his respect and gratitude for the organization and its fans will never change,” Gilmore’s statement said.

Evans topped 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first 11 seasons before finishing with just 30 catches for 368 yards and three touchdowns in eight games last year. He missed three games due to a hamstring injury and six because of a broken collarbone, though he was back for the season’s final month.

The Texas A&M product just completed a two-year contract that featured an average annual salary of $20.5 million.

In 176 career games (175 starts), Evans has compiled 866 receptions for 13,052 yards and 108 touchdowns. He is Tampa Bay’s all-time leader in all three of those categories as well as scoring (662 points).

“He leaves as the most accomplished offensive player in franchise history – a six-time Pro Bowler and a Super Bowl champion – but it was his dedication to making a difference off the field that will define his lasting legacy in our community,” the Bucs statement said.

–Field Level Media

49ers include power plant in evaluating injury issues

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The San Francisco 49ers aren’t leaving any stone unturned as they search for a solution to their injury issues.

That includes investigating a conspiracy theory linking a nearby electrical substation to the rash of ailments.

General manager John Lynch confirmed at Wednesday’s end-of-season press conference that the power plant’s potential influence will be investigated.

“Because it deals with allegedly the health and safety of our players, I think you have to look into everything,” Lynch said. “We’ve been reaching out to anyone and everyone to see, does a study exist other than a guy sticking an apparatus underneath the fence and coming up with a number that I have no idea what that means? That’s what we know exists. We’ve heard that debunked.

“… The health and safety of our players is of the utmost priority. We pore into it. Our ownership, Jed (York) is tremendous in terms of resources, and we’ll always be cognizant of things. I know that a lot of games have been won at this facility since it opened, but yeah, we aren’t going to turn a blind eye.”

The 49ers have trained in Santa Clara, Calif., since the late 1980s. A nearby substation operated by Silicon Valley Power was expanded when Levi’s Stadium — the site of next month’s Super Bowl LX — opened in 2014, according to ESPN.

A viral theory making the rounds on the internet suggests that San Francisco’s injuries could at least partly be related to excessive exposure to EMFs, or electromotive forces, from the power station.

As Lynch mentioned, the theory has been shot down by many doctors and scientists.

The theory has gained traction inside the locker room, however, with wide receiver Kendrick Bourne referencing it after star tight end George Kittle’s recent Achilles injury. The 49ers also lost defensive stars Nick Bosa (torn ACL) and Fred Warner (broken) ankle to season-ending injuries this season, while quarterback Brock Purdy missed half the season with a toe injury.

A total of 20 players spent time on an injured reserve list this season for the 49ers, accounting for more than $95 million in adjusted annual value on their contracts, according to the OverTheCap.

“The fact of the matter is injuries are a part of this game,” Lynch said. “What we strive to do is never to eliminate injuries, but to mitigate injuries. And I think we have a lot of good processes. We’ll challenge them all. And that process has begun. It never frankly stopped. But yes, we’ll look at everything, and we’ll examine everything.”

–Field Level Media

49ers promote LB Eric Kendricks, place Tatum Bethune on IR ahead of playoffs

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The San Francisco 49ers signed veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks from the practice squad to the active roster and placed starting linebacker Tatum Bethune (groin) on injured reserve on Wednesday, ending his season ahead of the playoffs.

The 49ers (12-5) play the host Philadelphia Eagles (11-6) on Sunday in the NFC wild-card round. San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan said that Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams (hamstring) and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) will not practice Wednesday.

Shanahan had said on Monday that both players will be evaluated throughout the week after missing the regular-season finale last Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.

Trent Williams, 37, last played in the 42-38 home win over the Chicago Bears on Dec. 28. A 12-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time first-team All-Pro, Williams started all 16 games he has played this season — 92% of the offensive snap counts — and 203 of 204 regular-season games in his career for Washington (2010-18) and San Francisco (2020-present).

Pearsall, 25, aggravated his PCL injury against the Bears. He has 36 receptions on 53 targets for 528 yards and no touchdowns in nine games (all starts) this season.

He has 67 career receptions for 928 yards and three touchdowns in 20 games (13 starts) since 2024.

Bethune, 24, had seven tackles, one sack and one pass defensed in the 13-3 home loss to the Seahawks. He finished the season with 94 tackles, one sack, four tackles for loss and four passes defensed in 14 games (eight starts).

San Francisco selected Bethune in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He played in 11 games and made one start as a rookie in 2024, totaling seven tackles.

Kendricks, 33, has played in the last three games (one start) since signing Nov. 26 with the 49ers, making six tackles in 45 defensive snaps.

“I’m real confident in Eric,” Shanahan said. “He’s been here long enough. These games he’s gotten in the last couple of weeks, he’s done a good job, and I’m glad that we got him for the situation.”

For his career, Kendricks has 1,180 tackles, 21.5 sacks, 11 interceptions — two returned for touchdowns — 60 passes defensed, eight forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries. He has played 150 regular-season games (143 starts) for the Minnesota Vikings (2015-22), Los Angeles Chargers (2023), Dallas Cowboys (2024) and 49ers. He was a first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection in 2019.

San Francisco is cautiously awaiting the possible return of star linebacker Fred Warner from rehabilitation for what initially was expected to be season-ending surgery. Warner fractured and dislocated his right ankle in a road loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Oct. 12.

The 49ers’ linebacker room includes health issues for starting weakside linebacker Dee Winters (ankle) and reserve Luke Gifford (quad).

In other moves on Wednesday, the 49ers signed linebacker Kyzir White to the practice squad, linebacker Milo Eifler to a reserve/future contract and designated wide receiver Jacob Cowing to return from injured reserve, opening his practice window.

–Field Level Media

Aug 21, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (23) reacts after intercepting a pass during the first half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Reports: Patriots trade S Kyle Dugger to Steelers, DE Keion White to 49ers

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The New England Patriots moved on from a pair of former defensive starters on Tuesday by trading safety Kyle Dugger to the Pittsburgh Steelers and defensive end Keion White to the San Francisco 49ers, according to multiple media reports.

Both swaps are framed the same: The Patriots are sending a seventh-round draft pick along with their former player while collecting a sixth-round choice in return.

Dugger and White had been starters under previous Pats head coaches Bill Belichick and Jerod Mayo, but their roles diminished for first-year coach Mike Vrabel this season. White, 26, was a healthy scratch for the Patriots’ 32-13 victory against the visiting Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

Dugger signed a four-year, $58-million contract with New England last year after receiving the transition tag. He started just four of seven games for the Patriots this season after starting every game he appeared in during the past three campaigns.

The 2020 second-round pick has contributed just 17 tackles in 2025. He has recorded 441 tackles, 3.5 sacks and nine interceptions across six seasons.

Dugger joins a Steelers defense that just lost veteran safety DeShon Elliott to a hyperextended knee in Sunday night’s loss to the Green Bay Packers. Head coach Mike Tomlin said on Tuesday that Elliott is week-to-week, according to ESPN.

White, meanwhile, played in the Patriots’ first five games with one start this season and totaled six tackles. The 2023 second-round pick started 13 of 17 games last year and totaled 56 tackles, five sacks, seven tackles for loss, 16 quarterback hits and two forced fumbles.

In parts of three seasons, White has 88 tackles, six sacks, 10 tackles for loss and 21 QB hits in 38 games (18 starts).

White’s new club, the 49ers, has amassed just nine sacks in eight games — only the Jacksonville Jaguars (eight in seven) have fewer. San Francisco has been trying to compete without five-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Nick Bosa, who sustained a season-ending torn right ACL in Week 3.

The 49ers’ depth is thin with ends Bryce Huff (hamstring), Yetur Gross-Matos (hamstring) and Sam Okuayinonu (ankle) also dealing with injuries.

–Field Level Media

Oct 19, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) runs the ball against Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss (55) during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Christian McCaffrey dominates as 49ers clip Falcons

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Christian McCaffrey ran for 129 yards and two touchdowns and added seven catches for 72 yards as the San Francisco 49ers posted a 20-10 victory over the visiting Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night in Santa Clara, Calif.

McCaffrey, who only had one rushing touchdown entering play, totaled his most rushing yards since running for 145 against the Seattle Seahawks in December 2023. Mac Jones completed 17 of 26 passes for 152 yards for the 49ers (5-2), who hold the tiebreaker with the Los Angeles Rams atop the NFC West.

Atlanta’s Michael Penix Jr. threw for 241 yards and a score and running back Bijan Robinson, despite being held to 40 rushing yards, had 52 receiving yards and a touchdown. Kyle Pitts hauled in seven passes for 62 yards for the Falcons (3-3), who finished with a season-low 62 rushing yards.

After leading 10-3 at halftime, the 49ers built a double-digit lead on Eddy Pineiro’s 43-yard field goal at the 10:09 mark of the third quarter. The Falcons answered with an efficient, six-play, 48-yard scoring drive, finished off with Penix’s 10-yard touchdown pass to Robinson to cut Atlanta’s deficit to three with 6:28 left in the third.

Atlanta forced consecutive San Francisco punts before the Falcons’ offense advanced into 49ers’ territory. With Atlanta facing a third-and-one from the 49ers’ 35-yard line, Robinson was stuffed at the line of scrimmage before Penix’s pass to Drake London was broken up by Chase Lucas to end the drive midway through the fourth quarter.

The 49ers then iced the game with an 11-play, 64-yard drive punctuated by McCaffrey’s second rushing score — this time a 4-yarder to extend the lead to 20-10 with 2:26 remaining in the fourth.

After each team traded punts to open the game, Atlanta pieced together a 19-play, 60-yard drive — spanning nearly 11 minutes — as John Parker Romo’s 38-yard field goal gave the Falcons a 3-0 lead with 12:54 left in the second quarter.

Atlanta linebacker Kaden Elliss intercepted Jones on the 49ers’ next drive, but the Falcons punted less than two minutes later. San Francisco cracked the scoreboard with an 80-yard drive, capped with McCaffrey’s rushing score from a yard out to give the 49ers a 7-3 lead at the 1:48 mark of the first half.

Bryce Huff stripped Penix on the ensuing drive and the ball was recovered at the Falcons’ 40-yard line by Alfred Collins, leading to Pineiro’s 55-yard field goal with 38 seconds left to cap the first-half scoring.

–Field Level Media

Jan 5, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (left) with tight end George Kittle (85) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

49ers QB Brock Purdy, TE George Kittle return as limited practice participants

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San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said quarterback Brock Purdy and tight end George Kittle will return to practice on Wednesday as limited participants.

Purdy has missed four of the past five games due to a turf toe injury initially sustained in the season-opening road win over the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 7 and aggravated during a Sept. 28 home loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Kittle, 32, has been on injured reserve since hurting his hamstring in the season opener and missed five games for the 49ers (4-2), who host the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. With Kittle officially designated to return, he will have 21 days to practice and be activated to the 53-man roster or return to IR and be out for the season.

Purdy, 25, has thrown for 586 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions on 73 passes. His replacement, Mac Jones, has been dealing with knee and oblique issues but still has started four games, going 3-1 and passing for 1,252 yards and six TDs with three picks.

Both were listed as limited for practice on Wednesday, with Shanahan saying, “Brock is more limited than Mac.”

For his career, Purdy has completed 67.4% of his passes for 10,104 yards and 68 touchdowns with 31 interceptions in 42 regular-season games, going 24-14 as a starter. He also has thrown for 1,343 yards, six TDs and one pick in six playoff games (all starts).

San Francisco used the 262nd and last overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft to select Purdy in the seventh round. He was in the Pro Bowl the next season.

Kittle caught a 5-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter and had four receptions on four targets for 25 yards before exiting in the first half of the 49ers’ 17-13 win over the Seahawks.

He caught 78 passes for 1,106 yards and eight TDs last season, his eighth campaign with San Francisco since being a fifth-round draft pick in 2017. Kittle has four career 1,000-yard seasons as part of his career totals of 542 receptions for 7,405 yards and 46 TDs in 114 regular-season games (106 starts).

Kittle has another 33 receptions for 455 yards and two TDs in 12 playoff games (all starts). He is a two-time first-team All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowl selection.

He became the highest-paid tight end in NFL history in the offseason when he signed a four-year, $76.4 million extension ($19.1 million average) through 2029.

–Field Level Media

Sep 28, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (15) after the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

49ers WR Jauan Jennings plays with ‘5 broken ribs,’ ankle, shoulder injuries

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San Francisco wide receiver Jauan Jennings has been playing with five broken ribs as well as ankle and shoulder injuries, he told reporters after the 49ers’ 30-19 loss to the host Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

Jennings, who has missed two games for the 49ers (4-2), was listed as questionable after being limited in practice and finished with one reception on three targets for 7 yards on Sunday.

“You know playing with injuries, it’s part of it,” Jennings said. “You got high and low ankle sprains. You got shoulders at 20%. You got ribs, five broken ribs. It is what it is. You keep playing and nobody cares. Keep playing. That’s what we do.”

Jennings, 28, said he injured his ribs in a Week 4 home loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. He now has 10 catches on 22 targets for 136 yards and one touchdown in four games.

“It’s football. I love pain, I wouldn’t be playing this sport if I didn’t,” Jennings said. “That’s part of it. You’ve got to enjoy every little thing that comes with it, and pain is one of those.”

San Francisco is dealing with injuries to critical players such as All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner, who was lost for the season due to a severe right ankle injury on Sunday. The receiving corps has been hit hard, with wide receivers Ricky Pearsall and Jordan Watkins out on Sunday because of knee injuries, and Brandon Aiyuk (knee) hasn’t played all season. All-Pro tight end George Kittle (hamstring) has been on injured reserve since Game 1 and is expected to return to practice this week.

For his career, Jennings has 165 receptions on 262 targets for 2,074 yards and 14 touchdowns in 64 regular-season games (21 starts). He also has 20 catches for 221 yards and one TD in nine playoff games as a reserve.

San Francisco selected Jennings in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Tennessee.

–Field Level Media

Sep 28, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

49ers GM ‘fairly confident’ star TE George Kittle practices next week

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San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said on Thursday that he is “fairly confident” that All-Pro tight end George Kittle will practice next week.

Kittle has been on injured reserve since hurting his hamstring in the season opener and has missed the required minimum of four games. Lynch told KNBR that the two-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowl selection won’t play this week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“I do believe we’re nearing, we’re getting there,” Lynch said.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Wednesday that Kittle won’t be available this week but could return from IR for Week 7 against the Atlanta Falcons.

When Kittle officially is designated to return, he will have 21 days to practice and be activated to the 53-man roster or return to IR and be out for the season.

Kittle caught a 5-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter and had four receptions on four targets for 25 yards before exiting in the first half of the 49ers’ 17-13 home win over the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 7.

Kittle, who turned 32 on Thursday, caught 78 passes for 1,106 yards and eight TDs last season, his eighth campaign with San Francisco since being a fifth-round draft pick in 2017. He has four career 1,000-yard seasons as part of his career totals of 542 receptions for 7,405 yards and 46 TDs in 114 regular-season games (106 starts).

Kittle has another 33 receptions for 455 yards and two TDs in 12 playoff games (all starts).

He became the highest-paid tight end in NFL history in the offseason when he signed a four-year, $76.4 million extension ($19.1 million average) through 2029.

Lynch also said Jauan Jennings (ankle/ribs) is expected to be limited in Thursday’s session after not participating on Wednesday, and fellow receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) won’t practice for the second straight day. Both players missed last week’s victory against the Los Angeles Rams.

–Field Level Media