Purdy's ascension no longer a surprise for 49ers
When Brock Purdy stepped in as quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, his early success was initially seen as a surprise. Purdy joined some illustrious company with his third straight winning start with two touchdown passes, leading the 49ers to their eighth straight win in a 37-20 victory over Washington on Saturday. Purdy's play has ensured that the surging Niners (11-4) have shown no signs of slowing down after turning the offense over to their third-string quarterback.
news.yahoo.com49ers suffer serious injury losses in latest win
Jimmy Garoppolo was sharp, San Francisco's running game was efficient and the defense delivered another dominating performance. The opener of a two-game East Coast swing for the 49ers looked good on the scoreboard with a 37-15 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday but proved costly on the injury report. The Niners (3-2) lost starting cornerback Emmanuel Moseley to a season-ending knee injury, safety Jimmie Ward to a broken hand, star edge rusher Nick Bosa to an injured groin and kicker Robbie Gould to a bruised knee.
news.yahoo.comLions not discussing future plans with Penei Sewell at left tackle until Taylor Decker returns
Not bad for someone that just spent their first offseason preparing for the switch from left to right tackle, not to mention after opting out of the 2020 college football season. The plan was to keep the recently extended Taylor Decker on the left side while Sewell acclimated to life at right tackle. While Sewell proved he could hold things down against the game’s best on the left, Lions coach Dan Campbell isn’t ready to publicly cross the bridge of what happens when Decker returns. “Yeah, I would love to entertain that, but man, we’re so far away from that right now,” Lions coach Campbell said. Good rushers.”Sewell, 20, was the youngest player to start at left tackle in NFL history and the second-youngest Lions player to appear in a game since 1950.
mlive.comSnap counts: Lions RB Jamaal Williams gets the start, but D’Andre Swift nearly doubles his reps
DETROIT -- Jamaal Williams got the start out of the backfield for the Detroit Lions in Week 1, but D’Andre Swift dominated the snaps, seeing 63 reps to Williams’ 32. Williams wasn’t forgotten by any means, taking nine carries for 54 yards and one score, notching a 20-yard long for the day. Despite a frantic late comeback attempt, the Lions lost their season opener 41-33 to the San Francisco 49ers. Penei Sewell was welcomed to the NFL with 92 snaps at left tackle, holding his own against 49ers star pass rusher Nick Bosa in the process. -- The edge rusher rotation saw Trey Flowers get 49 snaps, with Charles Harris getting 15 reps and Austin Bryant only one.
mlive.comLions’ Penei Sewell draws praise from Nick Bosa for debut at left tackle: ‘He’s more comfortable on the left’
The Detroit Lions’ first-round pick moved to left tackle to replace the injured Taylor Decker in the 41-33 loss against the San Francisco 49ers. Detroit spent the last four months trying to convert Sewell to right tackle, although that project has been up-and-down. I told him after the game he’s better on the left and he’s more comfortable on the left. He has a long road ahead, and an anticipated move back to right tackle, where he’s still trying to get comfortable. (Sewell) is powerful, he’s big, he’s explosive, and he’s played some left tackle in college.
mlive.comUh-oh: Detroit Lions LT Taylor Decker misses practice with finger injury
Left tackle Taylor Decker was not at practice during the 20 minutes that were available to reporters on Thursday. Decker is dealing with a finger injury and was listed as limited on Wednesday’s practice report. The only backup offensive tackle on the roster is Matt Nelson, a converted defensive lineman who has made zero starts in his NFL career. Our protection plan is going to have to be tight.”Now the big question is, will Taylor Decker be a part of that plan? But he started to really find his way in 2019, signed a monster contract extension in 2020, then turned his best season yet as a pro.
mlive.comQB Jared Goff draws old NFC West rival San Francisco 49ers in Detroit Lions debut
ALLEN PARK -- Jared Goff finds himself in a familiar spot despite his new surroundings, heading into a regular-season game, preparing for the San Francisco 49ers. Goff, 26, spent the last five seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, drawing eight starts against the 49ers during that time. Goff completed 144 of 241 attempts for a 59.75% completion rate with 14 touchdowns to six interceptions. But it does help. It does help because he knows that personnel and he knows what they have done traditionally.
mlive.com49ers hand Trent Williams richest contract ever at OL
FILE - San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams (71) looks on prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, in Glendale, Ariz., in this Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, file photo. The San Francisco 49ers locked up their biggest potential free agent for the long term by agreeing to give star left tackle Trent Williams the richest contract ever for an offensive lineman. (AP Photo/Jennifer Stewart, File)SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The San Francisco 49ers locked up their biggest potential free agent for the long term by agreeing to give star left tackle Trent Williams the richest contract ever for an offensive lineman. “Trent’s a game changer,” said fullback Kyle Juszczyk, who signed a five-year contract to stay in San Francisco earlier in the week. Williams was graded as the top left tackle by Pro Football Focus and is now being paid that way as well.
Kittle dismisses 'chatter' about Niners trading Garoppolo
(AP Photo/Scott Eklund)George Kittle dismissed talk about the San Francisco 49ers possibly trading Jimmy Garoppolo the way he sheds tacklers after making catches. I think it’s chatter,” Kittle said on the AP Pro Football Podcast. “I think it’s his second or third year of dealing with these exact same rumors every single offseason,” Kittle said. Garoppolo, Kittle, cornerback Richard Sherman, edge rusher Nick Bosa, running back Raheem Mostert and receiver Deebo Samuel all missed at least half the season. I think that was a struggle for us, especially because we have a young team on offense as well.
Jets hire 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh as coach
FILE - San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh is shown during an NFL football game against Arizona Cardinals, in Santa Clara, Calif., in this Sept. 13, 2020, file photo. The search for a new coach continues for the New York Jets after they completed an in-person interview with San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021, without apparently reaching a deal. The Jets reached an agreement in principle with the popular and energetic San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Thursday night to hire him as their head coach. The 20th coach in franchise history, Saleh beat out Smith, Kansas City offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, Carolina offensive coordinator Joe Brady, Buffalo offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, Indianapolis defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, New Orleans defensive backs coach Aaron Glenn, former Cincinnati coach Marvin Lewis, and Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley. He’s also the fifth former defensive coordinator to get the job among New York’s last six hires, with Gase the only exception.
From season-altering to bizarre, injuries hit NFL yet again
From the season-altering (Dak Prescott, Barkley) to the bizarre (Tyrod Taylor, Trent Brown), injuries are playing their traditionally significant role in the NFL. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)ARLINGTON, Texas – From the season-altering to the bizarre, injuries are playing their traditionally significant role in the NFL. Brown also recently went back on the COVID-19 list, a newcomer among potential ailments with the NFL playing during a pandemic. Few teams have had the volume of injuries that have hit defending NFC champion San Francisco. New Orleans' star receiver, Michael Thomas, has had a tumultuous season in part because of ankle and hamstring injuries.
Aaron Rodgers leads Packers past undermanned 49ers, 34-17
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, bottom left, and quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) celebrate after connecting on a touchdown pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Aaron Rodgers took advantage of the undermanned San Francisco 49ers rather than sympathizing with the team that dominated his Green Bay Packers twice last season. Rodgers threw for 305 yards and four touchdowns and the Packers overwhelmed the depleted 49ers 34-17 on Thursday night. DEPLETED ROSTERThe run of injuries and coronavirus rules left the 49ers with a shell of a roster, especially on offense. 49ers: CB K’Waun Williams (ankle) and S Jaquiski Tartt (toe) left the game and didn’t return.
AP source: Garoppolo, Kittle out indefinitely for 49ers
(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The San Francisco 49ers will be without quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and All-Pro tight end George Kittle for an extended period of time after they got hurt against Seattle. A person familiar with the injuries said Monday on condition of anonymity that Garoppolo’s ankle injury and Kittle’s foot injury will sideline them indefinitely. San Francisco already has been forced to play without defensive ends Nick Bosa, Dee Ford and Solomon Thomas; top cornerback Richard Sherman, No. He hurt his shoulder in New England in 2016 and had a season-ending injury for San Francisco in 2018. San Francisco also traded linebacker Kwon Alexander to New Orleans on Monday in exchange for linebacker Kiko Alonso and a conditional fifth-round draft choice.
NFLPA asking teams to change all fields to natural grass
The NFL Players Association president cited the league’s official injury reports from 2012-2018 to state his case that natural grass fields provide a much lower risk for injuries, compared to artificial surfaces, during practices and games. “Anecdotally, I know how my body responds playing on turf versus grass,” said Tretter, who graduated from Cornell University. Seventeen NFL teams play their home games on grass, while 15 franchises do so on artificial turf. In his new role, Tretter says lobbying for grass fields will be a key talking point in any labor negotiations with the league. “If we know grass is significantly more safe than synthetic turf, it’s about continuing to push forward and making it a priority,” Tretter said.
How to watch, stream every Week 3 NFL game: Time, channel, matchups
The NFL season is well underway and another action-packed set of games are ahead for football fans. Week 3, of course, kicked off with the Jacksonville Jaguars hosting the Miami Dolphins on Thursday Night Football. Sunday is filled with some big matchups including DeShaun Watson and the Houston Texans battling it out with Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The week wraps up with a matchup between two powerhouse teams as the Kansas City Chiefs face the Baltimore Ravens. Patrick Mahomes is 2-0 against Lamar Jackson and the Super Bowl MVP looks best the NFL MVP once more.
mlive.com49ers complain about playing surface at MetLife Stadium
Players gather around an injured person during the first half of an NFL football game between the New York Jets and the San Francisco 49ers at a nearly empty MetLife Stadium, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)The San Francisco 49ers contacted the NFL on Monday about the conditions of the playing surface at MetLife Stadium after several players went down with injuries in a victory over the New York Jets. The new artificial surface was used in a game for the second time on Sunday. The Niners will play again at MetLife Stadium on Sunday when they visit the New York Giants. Giants coach Joe Judge says his team held several walkthroughs and two scrimmages on the field before the opener, with no one complaining about the surface. “But as far as MetLife field, I think it is fine.
Barkley, 49ers hit with potentially season-ending injuries
Start with running back, where Giants star Saquon Barkley is believed to have torn the ACL in his right knee early in their loss at Chicago. The 49ers' Jimmy Garoppolo tried to play through a right ankle injury before Nick Mullens took over for the second half. Tevin Coleman also left San Francisco's win over the Jets with a late knee injury. Along with Lock and Sutton, the Broncos lost defensive end Dre'Mont Jones to a knee injury in their defeat at Pittsburgh. Washington guard Brandon Scherff, who left early in Arizona with a knee injury, was among the offensive linemen hurt around the NFL on Sunday.
49ers blast Jets 31-13, but lose Garoppolo, Bosa, Mostert
It was a costly victory for San Francisco, which was already short-handed before losing Garoppolo to an ankle injury and Mostert to an injured knee. Defensive end Nick Bosa and defensive tackle Solomon Thomas were both carted off the field two plays apart with left knee injuries in the first quarter. Bosa was carted off the field with a left knee injury. Two plays later, Thomas needed to be carted off — also with a left knee injury —after an 8-yard reception by Chris Hogan. The drive was prolonged by a roughing-the-passer penalty on Henry Anderson when the Jets appeared to have stopped San Francisco on third-and-8.
Full circle for Jets' Gore with facing familiar foe in 49ers
It all comes full circle for the 37-year-old Gore on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, when his Jets host the team with which he began his career 16 years ago. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)NEW YORK – Frank Gore took his first snap as a pro in what seems like a lifetime ago. “I want to win, especially coming off a loss last week,” Gore said, referring to the Jets' 27-17 defeat at Buffalo. “I love Frank Gore,” said 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan, who remembers watching him at the University of Miami while serving as the offensive quality control coach at Tampa Bay from 2004-05. So, to see Gore on Sunday at 37 facing the franchise with which he spent his first 10 NFL seasons might amaze some.
Camp injuries, virus protocols had some NFL teams scrambling
I think theres a lot of teams in the league right now that are dealing with all kinds of injuries.He's right. Teams all over the league were sent scrambling during camp. Certainly not during training camp when players are going hard to make the roster as the start of the regular season rolls closer. It's the soft tissue injuries and those things that you are trying to prevent with the ramp-up period," Bitonio said. That will certainly be something to monitor as the regular season begins and teams deal with injuries and potential replacements.
Abram, Simmons among 2nd-year players poised for breakouts
Instead, the rookie safety injured his shoulder in the season opener and didnt play again last season. Now Abram is one of several second-year players poised for a breakout season in 2020. While Abrams season was cut short because of an injury, Tennessee first-round defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons started late because of one. Simmons recovered in time to play nine games of the regular season and three playoff games. He showed flashes as a rookie with 59 catches for 680 yards and five TDs despite substandard quarterback play from Mason Rudolph and Devlin Hodges.
Browns stay interested in Clowney while building solid line
The Browns remain interested in Clowney, the talented defensive end _ and former No. The Browns remain interested in Clowney, the talented defensive end and the No. During a Zoom meeting with reporters on Thursday, Woods praised Clowney but deferred any questions about the Browns' pursuit of the speedy edge rusher to general manager Andrew Berry. Obviously, he has been a really good player in this league, a great pass rusher when he was in Houston, in Seattle," Woods said. But until Clowney, who reportedly turned down an offer from the Browns already, decides what he wants to do, it's still in play.