Niners Nation
49ers’ George Kittle might play this week, but Brock Purdy’s return remains unclear (paywall)
“Head coach Kyle Shanahan said tight end George Kittle will return to practice Wednesday and the hope is that he will play on Sunday night against the Falcons at Levi’s Stadium after missing the past five games. Kittle was placed on injured reserve after he suffered a hamstring injury in the second quarter of the 49ers’ win at Seattle in their regular-season opener on Sept. 7.
Shanahan was less definitive about Pro Bowl quarterback Brock Purdy, who has missed four of the first six games due to a toe injury. Shanahan indicated Purdy could return to practice and “do a little bit more” after he was limited to work on a side field last week. Shanahan said the medical staff was “still evaluating” whether wide receiver Ricky Pearsall could return to practice this week from a knee injury that’s sidelined him for the past two games….Rookie wide receiver Jordan Watkins will return to practice this week after injuries have delayed the fourth-round pick’s NFL debut.“
49ers Week 6 rookie report: As injuries mount, so do demands on 2025 draft class (paywall)
“Sigle received the sixth-highest overall defensive grade for the 49ers via PFF, due in large part to his strengths as a tackler in the open field. His tackling grade was 79.9, good for second best on the team. … Stout allowed three catches for 35 yards. Three of his five tackles were considered stops. … Defensive tackles Alfred Collins and CJ West had a relatively uneventful evening, each tabbing one tackle apiece. West also recorded a quarterback pressure. … Left guard Connor Colby continued to struggle in pass protection with a 42.6 pass-blocking grade, allowing three pressures and a sack. Of his 69 snaps, 48 were designed pass plays: “Nothing’s perfect,” Shanahan said of Colby. “I think he’s got a number of good plays and a number of plays he’d like to take back. But this is a moment in his career that is going to help him going forward, and not hurt him.”
49ers minutia minute: How Tatum Bethune and the defense fared without Fred Warner (paywall) “It was a rough outing for Puni, who was twice bulldozed to the ground by Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea and who committed a false start on fourth-and-1 late in the fourth quarter that preceded Jones’ second interception. The six pressures allowed were the most in Puni’s career.
Shanahan was asked whether Puni’s preseason knee injury was still affecting him.
“Yeah, I think Dom has played better before, in his rookie year,” he said. “I think his injury coming into this season was a big setback for him, and it made things more difficult. … But a lot of guys are battling stuff. And I’ve got a lot of confidence in Dom. He’s played at a high level before, so I expect him to do it again.”
[**Mac Jones’ moxie isn’t enough to offset the 49ers’ stunning...
