Tag: Shanahan

Sep 14, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones (10) passes against the New Orleans Saints during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

49ers expect to start Mac Jones again with Brock Purdy questionable

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Mac Jones is in line to make a second straight start under center for the San Francisco 49ers after the team listed quarterback Brock Purdy as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals.

Purdy came away from the season-opening win against Seattle with toe and left shoulder injuries, his toe being the bigger concern. He sat out Week 2 while Jones guided the Niners to a 26-21 victory at New Orleans.

Coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters Friday afternoon that Purdy has made progress, though not enough to return to the starting role just yet.

“I think it’s highly unlikely that (Purdy) will start,” Shanahan said. “We’re just trying to see where he’s at to see if he can be a 2 or an emergency 3.”

Purdy was a limited participant in practice from Wednesday through Friday. He told reporters Thursday that he wants to play every game but is “trying to be smart with (his) body.”

The 49ers will need to know by Saturday whether Purdy will be active as the No. 2 quarterback or be kept inactive as the emergency third quarterback. That’s because they would need to promote practice squad quarterback Adrian Martinez to the active roster the day before the game in order to dub Purdy the emergency QB.

Jones, in his first season as San Francisco’s backup after three bumpy years in New England and one season in Jacksonville, completed 26 of 39 passes for 279 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions against the Saints.

The 49ers also listed receiver Jauan Jennings (ankle, shoulder) and guard Connor Colby (groin) as questionable. Receiver Jordan Watkins (calf) and guard Spencer Burford (knee) were ruled out.

–Field Level Media

Sep 7, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) runs the ball during the first half against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Banged-up Brock Purdy uncertain for Week 2 as 49ers’ injuries pile up

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The San Francisco 49ers pulled out a 17-13 win over the division rival Seattle Seahawks in Week 1, but their short-term outlook is dire due to injuries to Brock Purdy, George Kittle and others.

Purdy toughed out Sunday’s game despite suffering injuries to his left (non-throwing) shoulder and toe. San Francisco coach Mike Shanahan told reporters Monday that the team considers the toe injury worse.

Asked if Purdy will be available for the Week 2 game Sunday at the New Orleans Saints, Shanahan said, “Not sure, has to see how it heals and how the week goes on it.”

Purdy, who signed a five-year, $265 million extension with the Niners in May, completed 26 of 35 passes for 277 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in the season opener.

Mac Jones is next in line if Purdy cannot play against the Saints.

Shanahan also declared star tight end Kittle will sit out multiple weeks.

Kittle injured his hamstring early Sunday and was ruled out of the contest in the second quarter. The six-time Pro Bowler had four receptions for 25 yards and a touchdown before exiting.

Wide receiver Jauan Jennings injured his shoulder Sunday and left in the fourth quarter after two catches for 16 yards. Shanahan said Jennings’ MRI came back clean, but he will go for a CT scan next.

Earlier in the day, perhaps in response to the Jennings injury, the 49ers brought back receiver Kendrick Bourne on a one-year deal reportedly worth up to $5 million. Bourne began his career in San Francisco and produced 137 catches for 1,769 yards and 11 touchdowns from 2017-20. The New England Patriots signed Bourne in 2021 and he delivered 155 catches for 1,945 yards and 11 scores over the last four seasons.

–Field Level Media

Aug 9, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) warms up before the game against the Denver Broncos at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images

49ers star RB Christian McCaffrey (calf) questionable for Week 1

Posted on | by Field Level Media

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey is questionable for the team’s season opener at the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday due to a lingering calf issue.

After McCaffrey appeared on Thursday’s injury report as a limited practice participant with a calf injury, he sat out practice on Friday.

Asked how concerned he was that the former All-Pro would miss Week 1, coach Mike Shanahan said, “He’s questionable. Questionable concern.”

Later on, McCaffrey told reporters that he feels “great” and plans to play.

“Unfortunately, when you have the injury history that I have, sometimes when you don’t practice things get blown out of proportion,” he said.

A calf issue cropped up for the three-time Pro Bowler last fall, as well, which was eventually diagnosed as an Achilles sprain. That injury caused him to miss the first eight games of the season, and he lost five more games to close the year with a PCL sprain.

McCaffrey finished with career lows in rushing yards (202), rushing touchdowns (zero), receptions (15) and receiving yards (146).

Last month, the 49ers acquired running back Brian Robinson Jr. from the Washington Commanders, and he would be in line to start against Seattle if McCaffrey is unavailable.

San Francisco defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos (knee) and receiver Jauan Jennings (calf) are expected to play against Seattle. Running back Jordan James (finger) and receiver Jordan Watkins (ankle) are doubtful.

–Field Level Media

September 18, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterbacks coach Brian Griese before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

49ers make change at QBs coach, promote Mick Lombardi

Posted on | by Field Level Media

In addition to confirming a new set of coordinators Tuesday, the San Francisco 49ers promoted Mick Lombardi to quarterbacks coach, replacing Brian Griese in the role.

It was not yet known whether Griese was let go or chose to leave the 49ers on his own. Griese, the quarterbacks coach for the past three seasons in San Francisco, was sought for a head-coaching interview with the New York Jets last month but declined the offer.

Lombardi, 36, is in his second stint with the 49ers after working in various lower capacities on their staff from 2013-16. He served as the Las Vegas Raiders’ offensive coordinator in 2022-23 before returning to San Francisco as a senior offensive assistant in 2024.

The change in the quarterbacks room comes as the 49ers are expected to re-sign starter Brock Purdy to a long-term deal this offseason.

The 49ers also formalized the promotion of Klay Kubiak as their new offensive coordinator, announced initially in January. The role was vacant for the past two seasons. Head coach Kyle Shanahan, however, will still call plays.

Kubiak worked in assistant roles on both sides of the ball for the Niners since 2021 and was an offensive passing game specialist last year.

Robert Saleh returns to his old post of defensive coordinator after being fired as head coach of the New York Jets in October. Brant Boyer joins San Francisco as special teams coordinator.

–Field Level Media

Jul 28, 2021; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan (left) and general manager John Lynch during training camp at the SAP Performance Facility. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images

Unamused 49ers GM: Cool it with Kyle Shanahan ‘hot seat’ talk

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Seven losses in a season is unfamiliar territory for the San Francisco 49ers.

With two Super Bowl appearances in five seasons, general manager John Lynch openly admits the 49ers haven’t earned the right to be called “as good” as the 2023 NFC championship group.

San Francisco is 5-7 but only two games behind NFC West-leading Seattle with five games remaining as the Chicago Bears (4-8) arrive Sunday.

“I’ve found the whole discussion on Kyle rather comical,” Lynch said in an interview Friday with KNBR in San Francisco. “We have won four of the last five division championships. We’ve been to two Super Bowls. The standard here is to win championships, and we’ve fallen short of that, I understand.

“But we have an excellent head coach, and the fact that people are talking about stuff like that, I do find it comical. We’re 100 percent behind Kyle and what he brings to our organization. Like I said, our focus is really on the Bears and doing everything we can. That’s where Kyle’s focus is, and that’s where all our focus is.”

San Francisco lost 35-10 in the snow at Buffalo last Sunday night and the 49ers placed their top two running backs on injured reserve due to injuries in that game. Christian McCaffrey (knee) and Jordan Mason (ankle) could return for Week 18 at Arizona if the 49ers are still fighting for a playoff spot.

In a top-down ranking of NFC teams by record and playoff position, the 49ers are No. 11 entering Week 14.

“You are what your record says you are in this league, and that isn’t very good. So I think we’ve been through a lot as a team, this current team with a lot of stuff that has happened to members of our organization. Injuries, tragic circumstances, ultimately those are just excuses. One thing I can tell you is I’m proud of how this group has stuck together, had each other’s back. The other thing I can tell you is the story’s not written yet. We’re still grinding, and we’re still playing.”

The 49ers last missed the postseason in 2020 with a record of 6-10 that followed an appearance in the Super Bowl — San Francisco’s first title game loss of two to the Kansas City Chiefs.

San Francisco’s upcoming schedule after Sunday includes a short week before playing the division rival Rams on Thursday, at Miami (Dec. 22), a Monday night matchup with the Detroit Lions on Dec. 30 and the finale against the Cardinals.

–Field Level Media

Nov 17, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) throws a pass against the Seattle Seahawks in the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images

Limited again, 49ers QB Brock Purdy still fighting sore shoulder

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Brock Purdy participated in the start of Thursday’s practice with the 49ers but the San Francisco starting quarterback was not on the field for the majority of the workout, casting doubt over his availability to play Sunday at Green Bay.

Purdy is dealing with a right shoulder injury and the 49ers are also potentially without left tackle Trent Williams and Nick Bosa due to injuries. Bosa was listed as out of Thursday’s practice with an oblique injury. Williams also didn’t suit up Thursday. He played through an ankle injury last week after being listed as questionable.

Purdy’s typical Thursday post-practice media session was scrapped until Friday as the 49ers did not make any quarterback available. Kyle Allen would step in for Purdy as the starter if he can’t play against the Packers.

Run game coordinator Chris Foerster said the 49ers aren’t where they want to be at 5-5 because they haven’t won close games, not because of injuries.

“Seven games left is like an eternity,” Foerster said. “So much can happen. Do the math. What was our record last year? It was 12-5. I was on a 13-win team that was nowhere near as good as the team last year.”

With or without Purdy, Foerster said the challenge for the 49ers is not to give up the ball to a defense that has 19 takeaways.

The 49ers have 13 giveaways this season.

–Field Level Media

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) looks to pass against San Francisco 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir (2) during their NFC divisional playoff football game Saturday, January 20, 2024, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

49ers hit Green Bay with Packers in pursuit of NFC leaders

Posted on | by Field Level Media

A victory against the visiting San Francisco 49ers on Sunday would bolster the Green Bay Packers’ playoff chances, send a conference rival below .500 and avenge a bitter playoff defeat.

Those seemingly rank in no particular order for the Packers (8-3), although they don’t shy from living at least partially in the past ahead of a Week 12 showdown.

Host San Francisco eliminated Green Bay 24-21 in the NFC divisional playoffs last season, scoring 10 unanswered points in the fourth quarter.

“That’s what you’ve got to sit with all offseason, is going back, watching the game, trying to see what you could have done better,” Packers quarterback Jordan Love said. “What you could have done differently in that game. … Just knowing that’s the team that knocked us out, we’re definitely hungry for this game.”

Ditto for San Francisco. The 49ers fell to 5-5 after last week’s 20-17 home loss to Seattle, done in by Geno Smith’s 13-yard touchdown run with 12 seconds to play.

Still only a game behind NFC West-leading Arizona, the reigning conference champion 49ers are just 1-3 in division play and can ill afford to lose more ground.
A visit to AFC East leader Buffalo awaits after the trip to Green Bay.

The good news: the 49ers anticipate the return of some key contributors. Cornerback Charvarius Ward, who missed the past two games following the death of his 1-year-old daughter, practiced Wednesday. Tight end George Kittle also is eager to play after a nagging hamstring injury sidelined him against the Seahawks.

“Very excited,” he said. “Can’t pass up playing the Packers, so no, I will be out there for sure.”

San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy is day-to-day with right shoulder soreness, but coach Kyle Shanahan said Purdy is on track to play.

Shanahan and Packers head coach Matt LaFleur have been fierce competitors since twice working together, first as low-level assistants with the Texans in 2008, then on the so-called “dream team” staff in Washington that included Sean McVay and two seasons with the Falcons (2015, 2016) where LaFleur was quarterbacks coach and Shanahan called the plays.

Shanahan scored the most recent win over LaFleur in January. Green Bay has won seven of the past eight regular-season meetings between the franchises.

But the familiarity and shared-brain approach to offense that has the coaches completed each other’s play calls has led to some tight games. The past three at Lambeau Field were all decided by three points.

Green Bay, which hosts a home game on Thanksgiving next Thursday, is starting a run of three games in 12 days. They’ll play back-to-back Thursday games. Their Week 14 game is at Detroit.

That might make it good news for LaFleur that surprising contributors have emerged of late.

Packers wideout Christian Watson had a career-best 150 receiving yards on only four catches during last week’s 20-19 road win against the Chicago Bears. His diving 60-yard reception in the fourth quarter put the Packers in position for Love’s go-ahead, 1-yard scoring run with 2:59 to play.

Watson entered the game with eight catches for 83 yards over his previous three contests, but LaFleur assured Watson remains a “big part” of the attack.

“He’s a guy who’s got every measurable known to man in terms of the size, the speed, and it’s not like those were easy plays he was making,” LaFleur said. “He was making tough, contested catches.”

San Francisco will aim to generate more pressure against Love than the Bears, who sacked him just once. The 49ers collected four sacks against the Seahawks, with Nick Bosa and Leonard Floyd contributing 1.5 apiece.

Bosa (hip/oblique) didn’t practice Wednesday but 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said this week “there’s just as good of a chance for him to not play as play.”

Recent regular-season history between the Packers and 49ers at Lambeau Field has favored Green Bay.

The Packers have won seven of their past eight home games against the 49ers and are 22-11 versus San Francisco at home all-time. Green Bay leads the series 34-28-1.

–Field Level Media

Former Denver Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan during a recognition ceremony at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Mike Shanahan, Mike Holmgren among 9 coaching candidates for HOF

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Super Bowl-winning head coaches Tom Coughlin, Mike Holmgren, Mike Shanahan and George Seifert are among the nine semifinalists from the coach category nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Only one finalist from the group can be named a finalist to be considered by the full Hall of Fame Selection Committee for possible election in 2025.

The Coach Blue-Ribbon Committee narrowed a list of 14 candidates to these semifinalists: Bill Arnsparger, Coughlin, Holmgren, Chuck Knox, Dan Reeves, Marty Schottenheimer, George Seifert, Shanahan and Clark Shaughnessy. All but Arnsparger, Knox and Seifert reached the semifinalist stage in 2023.

The same committee is scheduled for a virtual meeting on Nov. 19 to nominate one finalist to be considered for enshrinement.

Earlier this week, the Hall of Fame semifinalists from the contributor category, from which one finalist will be up for consideration with the next Hall of Fame class, were released: K.S. “Bud” Adams, Ralph Hay, Frank “Bucko” Kilroy, Robert Kraft, Art Modell, Art Rooney Jr., Seymour Siwoff, Doug Williams and John Wooten.

A grand total of 20 finalists are presented for debate at the selection committee’s annual meeting in advance of Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, including 15 modern-era players, three seniors, one coach and one contributor. Between four and eight new members will be selected, according to the Hall of Fame’s selection process bylaws.

–Field Level Media

Oct 6, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason (24) during the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

49ers RB Jordan Mason (shoulder) to undergo tests

Posted on | by Field Level Media

San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason is scheduled for tests to determine the severity of a shoulder injury that knocked him out of Thursday’s win at Seattle.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Mason, starring as the fill-in for injured starter Christian McCaffrey with an NFL-leading 114 carries and 609 rushing yards, had X-rays on Thursday after being hurt on his eighth carry. He tried to return to the game but Shanahan said Mason felt significant pain.

“He thought he was going to be all right,” Shanahan said of Mason, who finished with 73 yards on nine rushes. “He went back in and it just hurt him too much, so he went out.

“I mean, adrenaline during games is a little bit different. We’ll find out more (Friday) when (tests are) done and get the X-rays and stuff.”

McCaffrey hasn’t played this season because of an Achilles injury and his return date hasn’t been discussed publicly by the 49ers. Isaac Guerendo stepped into the lead back role with Mason out.

Guerendo had 99 yards on 10 carries in the 36-24 win over the Seahawks, including a game-sealing 76-yard run late in the fourth quarter. Guerendo has a track and wide receiver background and played collegiately at Wisconsin and Louisville.

–Field Level Media

Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (19) runs with the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs LVIII between Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Bills, Patriots bidding on 49ers WR Deebo Samuel

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Trade offers for wide receiver Deebo Samuel could fetch the San Francisco 49ers a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, according to multiple reports.

The two teams at the center of the bidding prior to the start of the second round of the 2024 draft on Friday were AFC East rivals Buffalo and New England, NFL Network and The Athletic reported.

NFL Network reported the Patriots and 49ers engaged in conversations around Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk during the NFL Scouting Combine, but compensation was a sticking point.

The Bills traded No. 1 wide receiver Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans earlier this month and traded back twice on Thursday. Buffalo holds the No. 33 pick in the draft Friday.

49ers general manager John Lynch said on Wednesday that he “wouldn’t anticipate” a scenario in which the team would trade Aiyuk, who is looking for a long-term deal from San Francisco.

Whether Samuel could be available after Lynch used the 49ers’ first-round selection on Florida wide receiver Ricky Pearsall — a former Aiyuk teammate in 2019 before transferring to the Gators from Arizona State.

Lynch called Samuel “a part of this team, and a big part of this team” on Thursday night after the pick. Head coach Kyle Shanahan went further, saying trade talks took place when teams called but trading a wide receiver “doesn’t seem that likely to be honest. But I’m still on the table. If someone offered [owner] Jed [York] and John good stuff for me, I’m going to be out of here.”

–Field Level Media