Niners Nation
How will Kittle and Purdy look?
49ers expect George Kittle to return from injury in Week 7 game vs. Falcons
“If everything goes smoothly during the week of practice, the 49ers figure Kittle will be active and available to play against the Falcons.”
49ers game review: What’s behind lineman Dominick Puni’s sophomore slump? (paywall)
“So what’s happened to Puni after his 80.5 PFF grade last year was the fifth-highest among qualifying guards and he was named to the Pro Football Writers of America’s All-Rookie team? It’s worth noting he entered 2025 with more experience but worse health.
Puni suffered a sprained PCL in his right knee in a preseason game at Las Vegas on Aug. 16. He returned for the regular-season opener at Seattle, but he appeared to aggravate the injury in the fourth quarter and was sidelined for a snap. He hasn’t been on the injury report since Week 2, but Shanahan indicated Monday his right knee is tied to his steep dropoff.
“I think it was a big injury coming into this season, which was a huge setback for him and has made things more difficult,” Shanahan said. “I’m sure that hasn’t made things easier for him, but a lot of guys are battling stuff. And I’ve got a lot of confidence in Dom.”
Puni didn’t move well on two snaps in particular Sunday. Early in the third quarter, he chipped Vea and was tasked with making a second-level block on linebacker Lavonte David, who was to his left. However, Puni made an unsuccessful lunge at David instead of planting his right knee and exploding into a block. The result: David easily eluded him and dropped Christian McCaffrey for no gain.“
Time for the 49ers to double down on their youth movement? Mailbag (paywall)
“Yes, Bethune has been the backup middle linebacker since the offseason. Curtis Robinson will now become Bethune’s backup.
Martin has mostly practiced at weakside linebacker, which is Dee Winters’ position. I don’t see Martin replacing Winters any time soon, but Warner’s injury might be the pathway for Martin to at least start dressing for games (he’s been a healthy scratch all season).
Up until this point, Bethune has been one of the stalwarts on special teams, snaps the 49ers will want to eliminate or reduce now that he’s an every-down defensive starter. Martin is a prime candidate to take over Bethune’s special teams role.
As we saw in the preseason, Martin is also explosive at linebacker. I wonder if the 49ers will start working him at strongside linebacker, which is similar to weakside linebacker, as the season goes on. Luke Gifford is in that spot right now, but the 49ers have replaced him at times with a “big nickel” defender like safety Ji’Ayir Brown. Martin seems like a composite of Gifford and Brown.“
Kawakami: Who’ll be the 49ers’ new standard-bearer? It has to be Brock Purdy (paywall)
“It’s not that they’re mentally moving on from the 2025 season. Of course not. They’re 4-2....
