Niners Nation
Health is the only thing 49ers fans fear
49ers fans have spoken after returning Robert Saleh as the defensive coordinator with several defensive upgrades. A clean bill of health for Christian McCaffrey, with extensions for Brock Purdy, Fred Warner, and George Kittle, has 49ers fans optimistic. The only thing in the 49ers’ way is health.
According to our FanDuel Sportsbook poll, 66 percent of 49ers fans believe injuries are the biggest concern for the 49ers in 2025. Given the level of high-end talent and exciting rookies and second-year players, health is the only thing to fear.
Eighteen percent of fans are concerned about the 49ers’ 2025 red zone offense. McCaffrey’s return and Kyle Shanahan’s ability to create offense with his scheme alleviate much of that concern. Simply put, the team can’t settle for as many field goal attempts as 2024, but the arrow is pointing up for the offense.
The 49ers’ run defense was brutal in 2024, but Saleh’s return with the additions of Mykel Williams, Alfred Collins, and C.J. West addressed the defensive line. Bringing in bigger defensive linemen to chew up space and blocks will allow the 49ers' linebackers and secondary members to shoot the gaps and stop the run in the backfield. Not to mention, Williams’s immediate impact is as an edge-setter against the run.
Brandon Aiyuk’s recovery timeline is unclear, but the 49ers are optimistic about his eventual return. Aiyuk won’t be at the start of the training camp, but the team has left the door open for a return during camp. A four-game absence is possible to begin the season on the PUP list. Malik Mustapha is the other question mark at the moment.
For the most part, the 49ers are healthy. Other players who missed mandatory minicamp will have 40 days to prepare for training camp, and the team is optimistic to be as close to full strength as possible.
