Your daily San Francisco 49ers news for Wednesday, December 4th, 2024
49ers claim Abanikanda off waivers after recent running back injuries
“Abanikanda (5-foot-10, 216 pounds) entered the NFL as a 2023 fifth-round pick (No. 143 overall) of the New York Jets from the University of Pittsburgh.”
Kawakami: The 6 biggest reasons the 49ers shouldn’t end the Kyle Shanahan era
“Presuming they don’t win out and take the NFC West, the 49ers are going to avoid a first-place schedule next season. Their first-place schedule this season set them up against the Chiefs, while the Rams and their second-place schedule got the Raiders. If the 49ers finish fourth in the NFC West this season, in 2025 they’d be lined up against the Bears (currently in fourth place in the NFC North), Giants (NFC East), and Browns (AFC North). The first-place NFC West finisher, in contrast, would at the moment be set to play the Lions, Eagles, and Steelers in this rotation. Sliiiight difference.
Remind you of any previous Shanahan season? It should. After the 49ers finished third in 2021, they gobbled up their third-place schedule in 2022 on their way to a 10-game winning streak to close the regular season, a 13-4 record, and the NFC’s No. 2 seed.”
49ers minutia minute: Two little-used players shined in the snow; young RB added (paywall)
“It was another good effort from Moore, who allowed just one quarterback pressure, and it was a strong first start by Bartch, who often was at the tip of the 49ers’ inside running game. This was a game built for guards, and Bartch, who had been a healthy scratch the first 10 weeks, emerged with Pro Football Focus’ second-highest offensive grade for the 49ers (78.4) behind Puni’s mark of 89.3.
“I was impressed by him,” Shanahan said of Bartch. “I know he’s got a lot of ability and stuff and we’ve enjoyed working with him here, but that was our first time going into a game with him. I loved how he competed. I thought he blocked well. I thought he helped us in that game. So it was a good first start for him.”
49ers game review: Defense missing nearly $500 million on back-breaking run (paywall)
“The play was Graham’s first defensive snap in the NFL. And the 2023 seventh-round pick didn’t look ready after he was summoned because Warner was in the locker room with forearm cramps: Graham was fidgeting with his gloves and adjusting his chin strap before the snap. Meanwhile, McCloud, who was playing his first game with the 49ers after he was promoted from the practice squad Saturday, was lined up in the left slot.
Why did Cook dash untouched over right tackle? He ran through the exact spot McCloud had occupied because McCloud mistakenly shuffled inside and was sealed off by wide receiver Khalil Shakir. As for Graham, he fought off a block by right tackle Spencer Brown, dove for Cook’s legs 3 yards beyond the line of scrimmage and crashed into a teammate.
That teammate, Brown, one of the two Super Bowl starters on the field, served as an example of why the 49ers’ 5-7 record isn’t simply all about their rash of injuries. They have needed their remaining healthy starters to help camouflage their deficits, but is anyone on this team besides wide receiver Jauan Jennings having a career-best year?”
49ers overreactions: Has Shanahan’s Super Bowl window closed?
“Coach Kyle Shanahan, general manager John Lynch and CEO Jed York will get together and map out their strategy for the offseason.
The organization must decide what path to take with the roster and coaching staff. And one of the discussion points will be at defensive coordinator.
If the 49ers decide to move on from Nick Sorensen as defensive coordinator after one season, current New York Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich is the obvious choice.”
Baldy on 49ers’ Deebo Samuel: “There’s nothing that looks exceptional about him”
“So, we’ve seen games where he lined up and started the game at tailback because of injuries and stuff,” Baldinger continued. “So you’re taking that away from him. And now, what is he? Is he a slot receiver? Is he an outside receiver? He really doesn’t have a position right now. He’s just kind of a playmaker when given the chance, but he’s not really going to be able to create a whole lot on his own by getting open.”
49ers practice and media schedule: Preparing for the Week 14 matchup vs. Bears
“Wednesday, December 4
12:25 p.m. – Kyle Shanahan press conference
2:20 p.m. – Practice
Thursday, December 5
1:00 p.m. – PracticeAfter practice (approx. 2:45 p.m.) – Nick Sorensen press conferenceFollowing Sorensen – Chris Foerster press conferenceFollowing Foerster – Brock Purdy press conference
Friday, December 6
12:30 p.m. – Practice
After practice (approx. 1:40 p.m.) – Kyle Shanahan press conference”