ESPN NFL reporter. #49ers coverage. Mizzou ‘04. Bay Area, CA

San Francisco, CA
It was Halloween night, 2022 at the #49ers team Halloween party. It's the last time QB Brock Purdy's teammates ever doubted him. Outside doubt still abounds but Purdy is unfazed, handling it all with the right mix of humility and bravado. Here's how... espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/3930…
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In the unedited version of this: #49ers DC Robert Saleh to Jaguars HC Liam Coen after Coen tells him to “keep my name out of your f*cking mouth.” “I’ll f*ck your world up. You don’t wanna f*ck with me. I will f*cking end your f*cking life.”
Action Sports Jax
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#49ers QB Brock Purdy is 23 years and 18 days old. That makes him the youngest player in NFL postseason history to throw for 300 yards and 3 TDs in a game. The man he surpassed? Dan Marino, Purdy's childhood hero and the reason he wears No. 13.
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Reporter to Kyle Shanahan: How important is the 12th man in this game? Shanahan: “We don’t call it the 12th man here.”
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#49ers coach Kyle Shanahan on the best part about coaching in Washington: “Working with my dad.” Worst part: “Everything else.”
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#49ers DE Jordan Willis with one of the most humble answers/pressers ever. On why he didn't speak to media after his blocked punt vs. GB: "I just didn't want one play to be a defining moment for all the hard work that this organization has put in to be where we are."
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Albert Pujols hitting a home run, rounding the bases and stopping to give the big double high five to Nelly is basically St. Louis at its most wholesome and pure.
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#49ers QB Nick Mullens is having such a big night that he just got verified on Twitter. During the game.
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#49ers things at the gate at SFO.
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Asked #49ers TE George Kittle what he is expecting in regard to a contract extension this offseason. He said "Whatever the front office wants to do, I'm all ears" and then made it clear what he's hoping will happen: "My goal is to wear the red and gold my entire career."
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Alex Smith in the midst of a passionate defense of #49ers QB Brock Purdy: “I can tell you, as the unofficial president of the Game Managers Club, he’s not allowed in.”
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#49ers HC Kyle Shanahan on why he used Richard Sherman getting beat in one on one by WR Marquise Goodwin as a teaching point. Some really good insight from Shanahan here…
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Bosa on Fitzgerald today: "He’s always saying something. It’s not like mean or vicious in any way. It’s kind of friendly but it’s to get in your head. After that (block), he ran up to me and said ‘Sorry, man, I’ve got to slow you down somehow.’ I was like ‘Well, sh*t, you did.’"
Nick Bosa, meet Larry Fitzgerald
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#49ers DE Nick Bosa has been named the PFWA NFL Rookie of the Year and Defensive Rookie of the Year.
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Relatively certain #49ers will be the first 6 seed in playoff history to host the NFC Championship game.
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#49ers CB Richard Sherman was asked if he and team use the hype around Lamar Jackson as motivation. Sherman said no and offered a bigger, thoughtful response on what Jackson's emergence has meant. Here it is...
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#49ers offensive assistant Katie Sowers is about to become the first female to coach in a Super Bowl. She says it’s “surreal” but “Even though I'm the first, the most important thing is I'm not the last and we continue to grow it." espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/2858…
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BTW, today's Rams coin toss captains were the six active roster players the team acquired using picks from the 2012 RG3 trade.
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Didn't realize it at the time but the 54-yard field goal #49ers K Robbie Gould made today was the longest in franchise postseason history.
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So apparently the #49ers didn’t actually win today and the Vikings have advanced to the NFC title game, per one Seattle news station. (Sent along by a friend in the PNW)...
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#49ers TE George Kittle very unhappy that Packers TE Robert Tonyan and Colts DT DeForest Buckner did not get into the Pro Bowl. "That's outrageous," Kittle said on Tonyan. Also said he's "flabbergasted" that Buckner didn't get in.
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#49ers QB C.J. Beathard honoring his brother who was stabbed to death almost a year ago with his shirt. King was his brother’s middle name and is the name of his other brother’s album named for Clayton.
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#Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill's message to #49ers CB Richard Sherman: "I’m about to talk a lot of smack about you right now so check this out, get ya'll cameras out…I respect your game man...you are truly a GOAT and I really hope we can jersey swap after the game, much respect to you."
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Spotted today in Vegas: #49ers WR Deebo Samuel representing @Jumpman23 brand with a slogan befitting his playing style: “When you play your game, their game plan won’t matter.”
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Percentage of pass attempts thrown at or behind the line of scrimmage with NFL rank (from highest to lowest): 1. Russell Wilson - 34.7% 2. Justin Fields - 31.8% 3. Joe Burrow - 29.9% T-4. Tua Tagovailoa - 29.2% T-4. Patrick Mahomes - 29.2% 29. Brock Purdy - 20.4%
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When the #49ers step on the field Sunday in LA, it will be for their 17th conference championship game. That will be the most of any franchise since the 1970 merger. Niners tied with the Steelers at 16 until now.
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How swift and dramatic was the #49ers' comeback on Sunday night? In NFL history, 114 teams have trailed by 17+ points at halftime of a playoff game. Only one of those teams was no longer trailing entering the fourth quarter: The Niners on Sunday night
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#49ers GM John Lynch with biggest endorsement of QB Brock Purdy as starter yet: "I think Brock has earned the right with the way he played that he’s probably the leader in the clubhouse at that...if we were to line up, he’d probably take that first snap."
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In the first half Sunday night, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle combined for 15 touches for 141 yards and a touchdown. In second half: 2 touches for 5 yards Analysis: Yikes.
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Santa Clara County officials say that no pro or college sports teams are able to have games or practices in the county that include direct contact for the next three weeks. That, of course, includes the #49ers, who have two home games (Dec. 7 and 13) scheduled in that window.
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#49ers RB Christian McCaffrey is back at practice.
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Whatever your opinion of Jimmy Garoppolo on the field, there should be nothing but respect for how he's handled himself this season and today. A refreshing amount of honesty and self-awareness in a difficult situation. Things that go a long way in any walk of life.
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#49ers WR Deebo Samuel said today felt like a home game for the Niners at SoFi Stadium: “I feel like the Rams pump noise because there wasn’t that many Rams fans there.”
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#Rams WR Cooper Kupp won the receiving triple crown, NFL Offensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl MVP this season. Jerry Rice is the only other WR to do all of those things in a CAREER.
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The #49ers are the first team in NFL history to win three consecutive road games (including playoffs) against 12-plus win teams, per @EliasSports. A win Sunday against the Rams would make it four straight.
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The #49ers offensive line did not allow a sack in a postseason game for the first time since Jan. 5, 2003 vs. the Giants.
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Here's a quick stab at what the #49ers starting offense looks like right now: QB - Garoppolo RB - Mostert FB - Juszczyk WR - Samuel, Aiyuk, (Bourne) TE - Kittle LT - Williams LG - Tomlinson C - Richburg RG - Brunskill RT - McGlinchey
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Thanks to @Panthers for saving a seat for and this beautiful tribute to our guy Vaughn McClure at tonight’s game against the Falcons.
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#49ers QB Brock Purdy has four games with at least 3 TD passes and a passer rating of 140-or higher this season. That's tied with Tom Brady (2007) and Aaron Rodgers (2011) for the most such games by a quarterback in a season in NFL history.
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This three play sequence from #49ers CB Deommodore Lenoir took place in the span of about 64 seconds. Runs down Jordan Love after shedding a block, blows up a short pass, shoots the gap for a run stop. High level stuff in what has quietly been a really good year for him...
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#49ers OT Trent Williams wasn't kidding when he said wearing all black to Eagles game in early December was dressing for a funeral. From that day, the Eagles went 1-6, were minus-82 in point differential and now their season is officially over.
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#49ers TE George Kittle is full go today. Kyle Shanahan said he's excited to see him going today.
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Patrick Peterson final stat line: 0 interceptions 2 touchdowns allowed
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#49ers TE George Kittle on helping the Bears playoff positioning by beating Arizona: "I grew up a Bears fan and the fact that we helped the Bears a little bit just makes me a little happier... Da Bears."
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#49ers LB Fred Warner had 13 tackles last night. That gives him 84 career postseason tackles and moves him past NaVorro Bowman (78) for the most tackles in 49ers playoff history.
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#49ers have now beaten the Packers in the playoffs in five straight meetings. That’s tied for the longest postseason streak by one team against another since the merger.
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#49ers coach Kyle Shanahan was asked if he's talked to Jimmy Garoppolo since he moved on to the Raiders. Shanahan's response: "That would be impossible. You've gotta run into Jimmy to have a conversation with him."
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#49ers DE Nick Bosa just came out for warmups. He's wearing shorts and a sleeveless t shirt.
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Falcons ran 5 plays from the #49ers' 1-yard line today. They didn't score a touchdown on any of them.
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On Sunday, #49ers will have 11 different starters than last year against Dallas: QB Brock Purdy RB Christian McCaffrey RT Mike McGlinchey RG Spencer Burford C Jake Brendel LG Aaron Banks DT Javon Kinlaw CB Charvarius Ward CB Deommodore Lenoir S Talanoa Hufanga S Tashaun Gipson
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#49ers WR Deebo Samuel to P Mitch Wishnowsky on Sunday: “You punted your ass off today.” That’s true for whole year so far: Wishnowsky leads NFL in % of punts inside 20 (66.7%), inside 10 (46.7%), inside 5 (20%) and Opponents’ starting field position after punt (15.7).
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Today was #49ers QB Brock Purdy's seventh career game with at least 3 touchdown passes and 0 interceptions. It's the most of any player in the league since 2022.
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The top 3 in rushing yards in the playoffs through the first two weekends: 1. #49ers RB Elijah Mitchell - 149 yards 2. #Bills QB Josh Allen - 134 yards 3. #49ers WR/RB Deebo Samuel - 111 yards
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#49ers GM John Lynch says Niners will pay tribute and honor Joe Staley at some point in the future when opportunity arises.
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#49ers K Jake Moody's 57-yard field goal is the longest make by a rookie kicker in franchise history and the second-longest make ever by a Niners kicker.
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#49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said it's accurate that team is planning to keep Jimmy Garoppolo, barring being blown away by offer. Shanahan said he believes it would be hard to find a QB who helps them win right now more than Garoppolo and excited to have a QB learning behind him.
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The #49ers have fired special teams coordinator Brian Schneider, sources tell ESPN.
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#49ers QB Brock Purdy (concussion) is present and participating during early open portion of practice.
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Deebo Samuel is first WR from #49ers to earn a Pro Bowl spot since Terrell Owens in 2003. That drought is over and in interesting fashion given that Deebo probably deserves a whole separate category.
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Mentioned this just now on @KNBR and story for Friday: #49ers about to play the toughest 3-game stretch this late in the season in NFL history. No team has played three straight games against teams with an .800+ winning percentage this late in the season in the Super Bowl era.
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#49ers are the FIRST team in NFL history with a running back, two wide receivers and a tight end to each have 1,000-plus scrimmage yards in the same season, per NFL research. A special year for Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel and George Kittle.
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#Rams WR Cooper Kupp has caught a touchdown in four games within a single postseason (the most possible). He and Larry Fitzgerald circa 2008 are the only players to do that. #SuperBowl
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#49ers LB Fred Warner tonight: a sack, a forced fumble, an interception. He's the first Niner since NaVorro Bowman circa 2013 to do that.
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If #49ers beat Seahawks and clinch the NFC West division on Thursday night, it will be the earliest they've clinched the division since 2011.
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#49ers RB Christian McCaffrey has a calf strain. He is unlikely to participate in this preseason, per Kyle Shanahan. He's likely to miss a couple of weeks of practice, also.
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#49ers LB Dre Greenlaw covered 101 total yards of distance running after his two interceptions. He gained 25 yards on those two returns combined.
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The 2019 #Chiefs were flagged for defensive holding a league-leading 21 times. Remember during Super Bowl LIV week, multiple #49ers expressing their hope that officials would continue to call it. That didn’t happen. It’s happening tonight.
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#49ers TE George Kittle has a groin injury, suffered in Monday’s practice, per Kyle Shanahan. Kittle is not practicing today. Unclear right now if it will keep him out this week.
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#49ers announced today that they are helping to make Levi’s Stadium a voting center for the November 3rd election in conjunction with the team’s ongoing get out the vote efforts and the NFL Votes initiative to drive voter awareness and turnout.
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Packers fans have a well-earned reputation for invading opposing stadiums but @VividSeats is projecting that #49ers fans aren't allowing that to happen Saturday at Levi's Stadium. Their Fan Forecast is projecting a 97% Niners home crowd in the NFC Divisional Round. Average sold price on the secondary market is $482/ticket.
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The Rams had 15 rushing attempts by running backs tonight. Only one of them didn’t gain a single yard. The last one.
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#49ers DE Nick Bosa and C Alex Mack are getting rest days today. Similar to recent weeks.
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#49ers FB Kyle Juszczyk has now made eight Pro Bowls. That's the most by a fullback in league history.
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Nothing new but noticed on re-watch: After #49ers WR Ronnie Bell caught his first career NFL touchdown last night, he spun it to the ground. As the ball bounced away and he celebrated with others, a teammate picked it up... TE George Kittle Kittle ALWAYS aware of these moments.
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The #49ers have the most victories on Monday Night Football among all NFL teams. If they beat Cleveland on Monday, they will have... wait for it... 49 wins on MNF all time.
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#49ers LB Fred Warner wearing a black and white Colin Kaepernick jersey after today’s game.
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With 2 sacks tonight, #49ers DE Nick Bosa now has 6.5 sacks in the 5 games of his postseason career. Bosa’s 6.5 playoff sacks are tied for the 2nd-most in postseason franchise history, trailing only Charles Haley's 7.5 (12 games).
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#49ers "Wide Back" Deebo Samuel has 9 touchdown runs this year. The average distance of those TD runs? 16.44 yards He's averaging 15.11 yards BEFORE a defender makes contact on those runs.
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#49ers WR Deebo Samuel said he will have MRI in the morning on his injured groin. Samuel said there’s “not too much concern” about severity of it. Samuel added he could feel it tighten up and wanted to come out immediately to ensure it didn’t worsen.
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#49ers DE Nick Bosa on Jordan Willis: "I think he really doesn’t have a selfish bone in his body. In professional sports in general, a lot of guys want the credit for wins and big plays and stats and stuff. He’s truly somebody who just wants to play the game the right way."
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#49ers TE George Kittle had 107 receiving yards last night. That was his 10th career 100-yard receiving game. That's the most by a tight end in Niners' history.
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Aaron Rodgers: “I’m still mad about a few years ago.” Raheem Mostert: “I know, I know. Sometimes you gotta let it go, though.” Rodgers: “I’m almost there.” Guessing this is in reference to the #49ers NFC title game win against Green Bay in 2019-20.
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Some surging #49ers finished first in Pro Bowl fan balloting that ended today: OT Trent Williams DE Nick Bosa FB Kyle Juszczyk LB Fred Warner RB Christian McCaffrey
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#49ers gave a game ball to John York for footing the bill to send the team to Colorado to adapt to the elevation, according to DE Nick Bosa.
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#49ers QB Brock Purdy stopped to sign some autographs after helping the Niners to a 33-17 win against the Dolphins on Sunday…
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That was the #49ers' 38th all time playoff win. It's a new NFL record for most by a franchise. It also might have been the most heart stopping.
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#49ers QB Brock Purdy struggled for much of the night but went 6-of-7 for 47 yards with two carries for 11 yards on the money drive. The Niners author their first second-half, come-from-behind win of the season at the ideal time to advance to next week's NFC Championship Game.
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#49ers RB Christian McCaffrey has taken great care of his offensive teammates this Christmas. Each member of the offense was greeted in the locker room with a PXG golf bag, bottle of tequila and a coupon for a custom fitting for a new set of clubs.
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Perhaps no surprise but any sign that LB De'Vondre Campbell is suspended but still on the #49ers has been wiped from the locker room. His locker is empty and his name plate is gone.
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#49ers LT Trent Williams on QB Brock Purdy: "Every time he approaches Sunday, you can tell this is the most important game in his life and he treats every week like that. So his success is not a secret and it damn sure ain't got nothing to do with the system."
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#49ers WR Deebo Samuel went over 1,000 rushing yards for his career on Sunday. Deebo has 4,122 receiving yards and 1,007 rushing yards through 5 NFL seasons. He joins Hall of Famer Charley Taylor as the only players in NFL history to his those marks that quickly.
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#49ers are technically the road team on Monday night against Arizona in Mexico City, but… @VividSeats Fan Forecast is projecting that 49ers fans will occupy 82% of the crowd at Estadio Azteca. Not surprising but still a whopping number.
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#49ers haven't had Dee Ford available much this year but he's been effective when he has been. Niners had 24 sacks on 164 snaps with Nick Bosa and Ford on the field together this season. They had 24 sacks on 801 snaps on all other plays. Getting Ford back would be big.
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#49ers TE George Kittle just reached 6,000 career receiving yards. He's the 5th tight end to reach that mark in his first seven seasons, joining Travis Kelce, Jimmy Graham, Antonio Gates and Rob Gronkowski. And he does it in style with a 44-yard touchdown catch from Purdy.
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#Seahawks Pete Carroll on #49ers QB Brock Purdy: “Brock Purdy did a really good job of staying alive. I don’t know why we couldn’t sack the guy. We chased him all over the place. He’s not noted for being the greatest scrambler but he looked like Fran Tarkenton out there today.”
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The two under the radar #49ers who were very good Saturday: CB Deommodore Lenoir and WR Jauan Jennings - Jennings had 5 catches on 6 targets for 61 yards with 4 going for first downs. Jennings had a +15.2% catch rate over expectation. - Lenoir was targeted 5 times and allowed 2 receptions for 8 yards for a passer rating of 47.9. He added 5 tackles, including a run stuff as well.
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Based on the Fan Forecast from @VividSeats: #49ers fans are expected to make up 58% of the crowd at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday. Based on their tracking, 49ers have the highest road-crowd average across all 32 teams, with an average of 48% of the crowd this season.
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#49ers RB Christian McCaffrey is going to "hit it hard" this week with some simulated practice workouts this week while the team is on bye. They're aiming to get him back to practice next week if all goes well, per Kyle Shanahan.
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#49ers DE Nick Bosa tonight: 3 tackles, 2 sacks, 5 QB hits, 9 pressures. His 23 pressures through four games leads the NFL.
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Rookie guard Dominick Puni had the #49ers' highest run block win rate of the week at 82.1%. In real time, seemed like a strong debut from Puni, who has looked like he belongs from the moment he arrived in the Bay.
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A LOUD cheer from the #49ers locker room as the Philly loss goes final.
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