Your daily San Francisco 49ers news for Saturday, November 9th, 2024
Kyle Shanahan shares final updates ahead of 49ers-Buccaneers Week 10 matchup
“San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke with reporters after Friday’s practice as the team prepares for its Week 10 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Here’s everything he said.”
49ers’ Christian McCaffrey ready to return, reflects on absence: ‘It can be dark’ (paywall)
“It can be dark sometimes, especially when it’s something like that when you’re having to watch games,” said McCaffrey, speaking with reporters for the first time since Sept. 11. “Physically, you just try so hard to not let stuff like that happen. A lot goes into this. I pretty much think about football every day of my life.
“It consumes about 98% of my life, so when it doesn’t go right, it can be very tough. All I know is that it makes you realize how blessed and fortunate you are to play when you are on that field. I’m happy to be back.”
49ers RB Christian McCaffrey to be activated from IR on Saturday: ‘I feel great’ (paywall)
“The running back declined to discuss why he went to Germany in late September saying, “When you’re on IR, you’re hurt, you’ll do anything to come back.” He did indicate, however, that it required more than rest to get on top of the issue.
“I wish it was that easy,” he said.
Perhaps no 49er trains as intensely as McCaffrey, who uses an array of approaches to both stay in peak physical form and to avoid injuries. That’s what made the Achilles situation so frustrating, he said, and he admitted to “dark” moments over the last two months.”
“Shanahan said that Feliciano is “probably not” going to return this week.
As for Bosa, there is some concern. He jogged off the practice field and into the locker room Thursday at the early portion open to media.
“I am [concerned] to a degree,” Shanahan said. “He wasn’t able to do a lot. He definitely was extremely limited. Hoping he’ll be alright, but we’ll see on Sunday.”
There is also a real possibility that Tashaun Gipson Sr. could be involved. He was signed to the practice squad this week and with Malik Mustapha questionable, Shanahan said they could use Gipson, who “looks good enough to do it” if needed.
The Buccaneers, meanwhile, will be without Mike Evans (hamstring), as expected. They have five players questionable.”
Sam Okuayinonu’s improbable rise from out of NFL to 49ers impact pass rusher (paywall)
“After he was released by the Titans in late August, the unemployed defensive end spent more than four months training back home in Lowell, Mass., living with his mom and staying in shape for an opportunity he slowly began to believe would never come.
By early January, Okuayinonu had accepted that, at 25, he was probably an ex-NFL player, among countless on the league’s fringes who silently fade away, and he started his post-football life. He landed a job with the Lowell school district, creating learning programs for special-needs students, and his first day involved orientation and, he now insists, divine intervention.”
“Vea registered 30 tackles, five sacks and eight tackles behind the line of scrimmage in eight games this season.
Brendel will help guards Aaron Banks and Dominick Puni deal with Vea, and he must also have the 49ers’ O-line on the same page in order to deal with the variety of blitzes that the Buccaneers will dial up under coach Todd Bowles.”
“The rookie has continued to accumulate reps and it’s clear that’s paying off. Against the Dallas Cowboys, Purdy threw to Pearsall while the receiver was still in the stem of his route. Pearsall turned to find the football waiting for him in the exact right place. That’s growing chemistry. We can expect the rookie’s rapport with Purdy to continue blossoming.”