49ers Webzone News and Updates 49ers Webzone is your San Francisco 49ers online resource featuring up to date news, commentary and the largest 49ers fan community on the web. en-us https://www.49erswebzone.com Wed, 23 Sep 2026 15:33:00 PDT Wed, 23 Sep 2026 15:33:00 PDT 49ers vs. Cardinals injury report: Mike Evans among several who did not practice https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/203554-cardinals-injury-report-several-practice/ Wed, 23 Sep 2026 15:33:00 PDT 2026-09-23T15:35:01-07:00 David Bonilla 579f6bf281afe567b6df67693673e847
San Francisco made several roster moves Wednesday, including placing defensive tackle C.J. West on injured reserve with a knee injury. The team also signed defensive lineman Naquan Jones to the active roster and added wide receiver Brandin Cooks and defensive lineman Viliami Fehoko Jr. to the practice squad.

Cooks will wear No. 84 with the 49ers.


The 49ers are managing wide receiver Mike Evans, who suffered a hip injury during Sunday's win over the Miami Dolphins. The setback is not believed to be serious, but Evans was among the players who did not practice Wednesday.

Rookie defensive end Romello Height underwent surgery on the hand he injured against the Dolphins. Head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked whether Height could still suit up Sunday against the Cardinals.

"He's still an option," Shanahan said. "I hear he came out good, so we'll see how he heals up this week. Outside chance he could be available."

Below are Wednesday's practice participation reports for both the 49ers and Cardinals, which were provided by the 49ers Communications staff.

San Francisco 49ers Wednesday Practice


Did Not Participate In Practice
  • DE Nick Bosa (resting player, knee)
  • WR Mike Evans (hip)
  • LB Dre Greenlaw (resting player, Achilles)
  • DE Romello Height (hand)
  • RB Christian McCaffrey (resting player)
  • WR Demarcus Robinson (ankle)
  • DT James Thompson (ankle)
  • T Trent Williams (resting player)

Arizona Cardinals Wednesday Practice


  • No players listed
]]> Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images 49ers WR Brandin Cooks calls joining childhood team 'a dream come true' https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/203551-49ers-brandin-cooks-joining-childhood/ Wed, 23 Sep 2026 14:02:02 PDT 2026-09-23T14:02:02-07:00 David Bonilla 026b93c8dd0720fe5781e87643af1f2d
"It's a blessing. It's a dream come true, childhood team," Cooks told reporters ahead of Wednesday's practice, his first with the 49ers. "I was telling them earlier, riding my bike to training camp when they had training camp at UOP (University of the Pacific), kind of peek through the fences and watch practice. So, this means a lot, for sure."

Cooks will turn 33 this week and may have dated himself a bit with younger 49ers fans. He was asked which players he looked up to while growing up. Still, his knowledge of the team's history is impressive.

"I'll throw out some names like J.J. Stokes," Cooks said. "Obviously, you got T.O. Terrell Owens and all that, but some of those guys—even Brandon Lloyd back then, the way that he played the game, 'Gumby' is what they called him. But yeah, so a couple of those guys that come to mind right away."

Cooks is believed to have had options with other teams. He was asked what made the 49ers appealing beyond the opportunity to play for his childhood team.

"I think, you know, at the end of the day, being a vet, obviously not being in camp and OTAs, I think the benefit of that is you come in, at the end of the day, you've got a high level of football and that knowledge of what head coach Kyle Shanahan has been doing over the years, to be able to come in, really, and ultimately get up to speed and play," Cooks said.

"Yeah, you talk about it's a veteran offense, but at the end of the day, crunch-time situation, where this team is trying to get, and ultimately win it all, I think that's important to have guys with that experience."

Cooks added that the opportunity to play for Shanahan was particularly enticing.

"His ability and what he does as an offensive play-caller, I've always been fond of, even from afar," he said of the coach.

Brandin Cooks excited to join 49ers stars


Cooks will join a 49ers receiver room that includes veteran Mike Evans. Both Cooks and Evans were part of the 2014 NFL Draft.

"It's cool to be able to come in with Mike," Cooks said. "Obviously, we've been friends for a really long time. Never played together, but kind of just having a respect for each other from afar.

"And obviously, TE George Kittle, what he's done in this league, WR Deebo Samuel , the playmaker he is, RB Christian McCaffrey in the backfield, Purdy ... it is exciting, for sure."

Cooks is also looking forward to catching passes from Brock Purdy, particularly after watching the 49ers quarterback's impressive play through the first two games of the season.

"He's balling," Cooks said. It seems like he's playing at a whole other level than he has been playing at over the years, and that's saying a lot because he's been playing at a high level since the moment that he entered this league."

]]> Stephen Lew-Imagn Images 49ers' Kyle Shanahan details decision to sign WR Brandin Cooks, potential role https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/203549-shanahan-details-decision-brandin-potential/ Wed, 23 Sep 2026 13:31:42 PDT 2026-09-23T13:31:42-07:00 David Bonilla bfa63d57ea05a19052dcf7dc8c05d23f part of a series of roster moves. Entering his 13th NFL season, Cooks brings experience and depth to the receiving corps, but he'll need to get up to speed with head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense.

Shanahan spoke to reporters ahead of Wednesday's practice, Cooks' first with the team, and shared insight into the decision to sign the former first-round draft pick.

"Just awesome to get a veteran receiver here," Shanahan said. "I mean, Brandin, I've been a fan of him for the last 10 years. He's had a hell of a career, been a hell of a player, and we're down on guys. So, it's awesome to get a guy in here who's done it before and done it for a long time."

Cooks is believed to have had other options. What did the 49ers tell him to convince the veteran receiver to sign with them?

"Just showing him our situation," Shanahan said. "I mean, he knows that we're down guys, so he's going to have an opportunity to get up eventually. Tell him we'd give him a chance to come here, let him show us what he can do. Give him a chance to compete to get up.

"Today will be his first day, so he's got to learn the offense, get used to it out there. But hopefully, he can show that over this week or over the next few weeks."

Shanahan admitted that he isn't sure when Cooks could realistically suit up for a game. After all, Wednesday will be his first practice with the team, meaning the coach had not yet seen him on the field. Cooks reportedly did not work out for the 49ers before agreeing to sign.

"It's literally my first day seeing him, so I'm not sure," Shanahan said. "But we're down guys, so as soon as he's ready—we usually get five guys up for game day, so as soon as he can show he's one of those five."

The 49ers have lost several receivers to injuries this season. Ricky Pearsall (knee) is out for the season, while rookie De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle) and Demarcus Robinson (ankle) are expected to miss significant time.

Additionally, Mike Evans is dealing with a hip issue, though it is not considered serious.

How Brandin Cooks could fit into the 49ers' receiver group


Shanahan was asked how Cooks might complement the 49ers' current group of wide receivers. His answer provided some insight into how the coaching staff determines its game-day lineup.

"I don't really look at it that way," Shanahan said. "We're just trying to get the five best guys out there, and what complements our whole roster. So, it's not always your top three receivers. Usually it's your top three, and then four and five are guys that have got to be able to help at receiver, but also have to contribute other places, which is why you want them to be able to help out on special teams, so no one gets hurt in a game, and you don't need to rotate guys a lot.

"Then, you want your best special teams players at four and five. If guys can't go every play and you're trying to rotate guys, then you've got to balance out with who's the best special teams guy and who's really good at receiver.

"We've got two receivers in KhaDarel Hodge and Jacob Cowing, who have a big role in special teams. So, it plays out that way with those guys, and we'll see how he can fit in, whether he can be one of the guys that can be those top three guys or one that passes up one of the special teams guys."

For now, Cooks' immediate priority is learning Shanahan's offense and proving he can contribute. With the 49ers dealing with wide receiver injuries, the veteran has an opportunity to work his way into the team's plans once he's ready.]]> Scott Galvin-Imagn Images 49ers' Kyle Shanahan reveals C.J. West injury details, provides other updates https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/203547-shanahan-reveals-details-provides-updates/ Wed, 23 Sep 2026 13:11:00 PDT 2026-09-23T13:11:00-07:00 David Bonilla 9efbe2b9b87f7d962acd81c97f0aacac C.J. West on injured reserve ahead of Wednesday's practice.

The move was part of a series of roster transactions, and West joins fellow 2025 draft pick Alfred Collins, also a defensive tackle, on injured reserve. However, there is an important distinction between the two injuries. Collins suffered a patellar tendon tear that ended his season, while the 49ers expect West to return.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke to reporters on Wednesday and provided some insight into West's injury.

"I think a bone chip. A bone chip in his knee ," Shanahan said.

When asked if the injury could end West's season, Shanahan said, "No. I believe he's getting surgery. But no, it's not a season-ender. So, hope to get him back sometime."

Shanahan was also asked how long West has been dealing with the issue.

"He had something in camp," Shanahan said. "I don't know if this is the same or if it was something new, but it was bothering him a lot after the game."

Several 49ers won't practice on Wednesday


Shanahan revealed that several players will not practice on Wednesday, including wide receiver Mike Evans, who is dealing with a hip injury; James Thompson Jr. and wide receiver Demarcus Robinson, who are expected to miss several weeks with high-ankle sprains; and rookie defensive end Romello Height, who injured his hand against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

When asked for more details about Evans' hip injury, Shanahan said, "I'm not sure. Just know it's a hip injury."

Height underwent surgery on his hand, but the 49ers previously believed he still had a chance to play Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.

"He's still an option," Shanahan said. "I hear he came out good, so we'll see how he heals up this week. Outside chance he could be available."

Additionally, defensive end Nick Bosa, linebacker Dre Greenlaw, running back Christian McCaffrey, and tackle Trent Williams will rest instead of practicing on Wednesday.]]> Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images Robert Saleh reveals 49ers planned to draft Cam Skattebo in 2025 https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/203542-robert-saleh-reveals-planned-skattebo/ Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:38:00 PDT 2026-09-23T12:38:00-07:00 David Bonilla 87d1904770e229143bc87093a41be716
According to Saleh, the 49ers planned to draft Skattebo in the fourth round. However, the New York Giants selected the running back with the 105th overall pick, taking him off the board just before San Francisco could select him.

"I know going into the draft, we were actually about to draft him in San Francisco. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan loved him," Saleh told reporters. "And he ended up getting taken right before we were picking. I think we ended up with DT C.J. West, who's a pretty damn good player, too."


The 49ers selected West with the 113th overall pick, eight selections after the Giants drafted Skattebo. San Francisco placed West on injured reserve Wednesday as part of a series of roster moves.

Last year, Skattebo, who grew up in Rio Linda, California, about 130 miles from Levi's Stadium, revealed that he believed the 49ers would draft him.

"I actually thought I was going to end up going to San Francisco with that 100th pick," Skattebo said. "Vibes started getting high, lights started turning on, videos started turning on, and no phone call."

Skattebo has rushed for 527 yards and six touchdowns through his first two NFL seasons. His rookie campaign in 2025 was cut short after he suffered a dislocated ankle in Week 8.]]> Brad Penner-Imagn Images 49ers place DT C.J. West to IR, sign receiver and two D-linemen https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/203541-roster-d-linemen-veteran-receiver-signed/ Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:21:00 PDT 2026-09-23T12:49:42-07:00 Site Staff 24843c06e012419ac0393b6a4460d0fc Naquan Jones to a one-year deal and signed wide receiver Brandin Cooks and defensive lineman Viliami Fehoko Jr. to the team's practice squad.

To make room on the roster, the team released cornerback Jakob Robinson from the team's practice squad and placed defensive lineman C.J. West on the injured reserve list.

The 49ers Communications staff provided the following rundown.


Jones (6-3, 313) originally entered the NFL after signing with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2021. Throughout his five-year NFL career with the Titans (2021-23), Arizona Cardinals (2023-24), Miami Dolphins (2024), Los Angeles Chargers (2025), Houston Texans (2025-26), and Minnesota Vikings (2026), he has appeared in 60 games (eight starts) and registered 102 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and five passes defensed. He has also appeared in three postseason contests (one start) and registered seven tackles and 0.5 sacks. In 2026, Jones was waived by the Texans on August 30 and signed to the Vikings' practice squad on September 1.

A 28-year-old native of Evanston, IL, Jones attended Michigan State University for five seasons (2016-20) where he appeared in 46 games (five starts) and totaled 78 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, three passes defensed, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.

Cooks (5-10, 189) was originally drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round (20th overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft. Throughout his 12-year NFL career with the Saints (2014-16, 2025), New England Patriots (2017), Los Angeles Rams (2018-19), Houston Texans (2020-22), Dallas Cowboys (2023-24) and Buffalo Bills (2025), he has appeared 173 games (149 starts) and registered 734 receptions for 9,811 yards and 60 touchdowns through the air and added 58 carries for 341 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. He also appeared in nine postseason contests (eight starts) and totaled 40 receptions for 572 yards and three carries for 12 yards.

A 32-year-old native of Stockton, CA, Cooks attended Oregon State University for three seasons (2011-13), where he appeared in 38 games (29 starts) and registered 226 receptions for 3,272 yards and 24 touchdowns, along with 61 carries for 340 yards and two touchdowns. As a junior in 2013, he earned First-Team All-American honors.

Fehoko Jr. (6-4, 267) was originally drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round (129th overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft. Throughout his two-year NFL career, he has spent time with the Cowboys (2023-24), Washington Commanders (2025), Indianapolis Colts (2025-26), and San Francisco 49ers (2026). In 2026, the Colts waived Fehoko Jr. on April 30. He signed with the 49ers on August 24, and the team waived him again on August 30.

A 26-year-old native of Mountain View, CA, Fehoko Jr. attended San Jose State University for five seasons (2018-22), where he appeared in 48 games and registered 191 tackles, 46.0 tackles for loss, 23.0 sacks, 14 passes defensed, five forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.

Robinson (5-10, 181) originally signed to the team's practice squad on August 31, 2026.

West (6-1, 316) started two games this season and recorded five tackles.]]> Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images 49ers' Brock Purdy makes huge leap in latest NFL QB rankings https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/203537-49ers-brock-latest-nfl-rankings/ Wed, 23 Sep 2026 11:17:00 PDT 2026-09-23T11:17:00-07:00 David Bonilla 99d2611087bc772ccd75965b2bf272c9 Nick Shook's first NFL.com quarterback rankings of the 2026 season was disrespectful. Just two weeks into the season, Purdy has climbed significantly on the list.

Shook released his latest quarterback rankings, placing Purdy at No. 3. That's a 12-spot jump from his initial ranking and moves the 49ers quarterback from Tier 3 to Tier 1. It's also a five-spot improvement from his ranking in last week's list.

Purdy is coming off a remarkable performance against the Miami Dolphins. He completed 20 of 22 pass attempts (90.9 percent) for 287 yards and two touchdowns, finishing with a 149.1 passer rating in Week 2. He also rushed for a touchdown in the 49ers' 35-13 win.

The performance earned Purdy NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors for the third time in his career.

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen leads Shook's rankings, followed by Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes at No. 2. While Shook considers Allen an MVP candidate, he also believes Purdy deserves consideration for the annual award.

"Brock Purdy is another early MVP candidate after lighting up the Rams and Dolphins to start the season, posting a league-best completion percentage of 80.4," Shook wrote.

Additionally, Purdy has thrown for 492 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception while posting an impressive 125.6 passer rating.

His 149.1 passer rating against the Dolphins marked the eighth time in his career that he has recorded a rating of at least 140.0, the most such performances by any quarterback in his first five NFL seasons.]]> Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images 49ers signing veteran defensive tackle off Vikings practice squad https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/203534-signing-veteran-defensive-vikings-practice/ Wed, 23 Sep 2026 10:57:00 PDT 2026-09-23T10:57:00-07:00 David Bonilla 162ccc5a427a16ea314f9bffb46bc3ed Naquan Jones off the Minnesota Vikings' practice squad, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero.


49ers rookie defensive tackle James Thompson Jr. suffered a high-ankle sprain on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins and is expected to miss several weeks.

The team previously lost defensive tackle Alfred Collins for the season due to a knee injury.

The Tennessee Titans signed Jones (6-3, 313) as an undrafted free agent out of Michigan State in 2021. He spent his first two-plus seasons in Tennessee before being waived in November 2023. Jones then spent time with the Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans, and Vikings.

During the 2025 season, Jones appeared in 12 games split between the Chargers and Texans. In those appearances, he recorded 13 tackles, one tackle for loss, one quarterback hit, and one pass defensed, according to Pro Football Reference.

Over five NFL seasons, Jones has appeared in 60 games, recording 102 tackles and 6.5 sacks. His most recent sack came in 2024 with the Cardinals, when he recorded a career-high three sacks in 12 games.]]> Troy Taormina-Imagn Images Christian McCaffrey opens up about 49ers' new backfield plan in 2026 https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/203531-christian-mccaffrey-opens-new-backfield/ Wed, 23 Sep 2026 10:24:17 PDT 2026-09-23T10:24:17-07:00 David Bonilla e354f5666d114b19e95a1f07a397f178
The 49ers' solution was to draft Kaelon Black in the third round, hoping the rookie could develop into a player who could ease McCaffrey's workload. Black stood out in the offseason and preseason and has already made an impact in the first two games. He has one more carry than McCaffrey so far this season—21 to 20.

While McCaffrey has two rushing touchdowns, his rushing yardage is nearly identical to Black's. McCaffrey has 91 rushing yards, compared with 90 for the rookie.

Of course, McCaffrey's ability to contribute as a receiver makes him difficult to replace, but the 49ers also hope Black can develop in that area. For now, the rookie's ability to contribute on the ground gives San Francisco another option and could help McCaffrey remain fresh as the season progresses.

"Each game is different," McCaffrey said Wednesday morning during an interview with Bay Area radio station KNBR. "There might be games where you don't know what's going to happen. I think me and Kaelon both go into games ready to take every touch. That's the way we prepare, and I think a high tide rises all ships. And he's somebody that came in as a rookie and definitely made his presence felt.

"He does everything right. He retains information, which I think is one of the hardest things for young backs in this offense to do. He retained everything extremely well. You could tell he's a mature football player, and he plays extremely hard."

McCaffrey said he was thrilled to see how quickly Black grasped the offense. While the veteran running back has repeatedly acknowledged he wants to be on the field for every play, he understands that the team's approach is about more than simply reducing his workload.

"I don't even think it's about the workload or anything like that," McCaffrey explained. "It's more so just keeping defenses on their toes, when you have a back who can come in and run through your face for two extra yards, and then I come in for another. I think you can see how effective that can be.

"And our goal's to win. Our goal's to win the Super Bowl. Our goal's to continue to beat teams. And I think when you have good players on offense, you have to put them in, in one capacity or another. So, definitely a huge addition for our team, somebody that's going to continue to help us a lot."

The early results suggest the 49ers have found a promising way to complement McCaffrey without taking away his importance to the offense. If Black continues to develop, San Francisco could have a more versatile backfield while keeping its star running back fresher for the games ahead.]]> Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images Christian McCaffrey reveals what made the 49ers feel different from the start https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/203530-christian-mccaffrey-reveals-49ers-different/ Wed, 23 Sep 2026 10:01:32 PDT 2026-09-23T10:01:32-07:00 David Bonilla b37d2c5f2a344082f2ef6c0c972f1d23
That's not a knock on his former team, the Carolina Panthers, where McCaffrey spent his first five-and-a-half NFL seasons. The 49ers had already been through a lot together, facing adversity and growing from it.

Since joining San Francisco, McCaffrey has forged close relationships with his teammates that go well beyond playing football together. He's developed strong chemistry with those in the locker room, and that connection is evident on Sundays.

McCaffrey joined Bay Area radio station KNBR on Wednesday morning and shared his early impression of the 49ers' team chemistry.

"Anytime you're close with the guys you're going to battle with every week, it's definitely a plus," McCaffrey said. "What's so cool about our team is it's really nothing forced. I genuinely love these guys, and I think when you got genuine love for football, genuine love for each other, it makes for a better environment.

"But that's just been natural. I remember the day I got to the Niners, I could tell something was different. They had built that culture already. They had gone through so much adversity, picked themselves back up, and they all did it together. I don't know if there was one thing that showed that. It was just the collective energy that you could tell this was a special unit."

That locker room mentality has also been reinforced by the 49ers' sustained success and a roster filled with talented players such as McCaffrey, tight end George Kittle, and left tackle Trent Williams.

For McCaffrey, being surrounded by elite talent isn't new. He's become accustomed to playing alongside teammates who work hard and maintain a team-first mentality, but he believes the 49ers' approach is something worth appreciating.

"Sometimes, one thing I've realized in the league is, when you have really good players for so long, sometimes they get taken for granted," McCaffrey said. "And because they've continued to just be great every single game, it starts to become just what you know. And for me, those are guys—and there's a lot more on our team, especially the way the O-line's playing right now, too—you can never take those kind of players for granted or get used to that kind of greatness, because it's not like that everywhere.

"I think when you watch George and Juice (fullback Kyle Juszczyk) block, when you watch the urgency that they play with, you watch Juice running like a go route, where you know he's not going to get the ball, but he's there to run off a safety or a corner. He's sprinting full speed. He doesn't take plays off.

"They have such good energy, such good camaraderie with everybody. And, obviously, their numbers and their accolades and accomplishments speak for themselves, but I think what makes that happen is the way they play the game, the way they prepare. And I think that's something that, at least for me, I'll never take that for granted, because we all affect each other's success, and those are guys that are force multipliers."

McCaffrey's comments offer a glimpse into why the 49ers have maintained such a strong team identity through the years. For him, the culture is defined by the way the entire team prepares, competes, and supports one another.]]> Kyle Terada-Imagn Images 49ers QB Brock Purdy named NFC Offensive Player of the Week after big game vs. Dolphins https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/203526-49ers-brock-purdy-player-dolphins/ Wed, 23 Sep 2026 09:09:00 PDT 2026-09-23T09:19:55-07:00 David Bonilla 0364904c5c30757b0fe515a01b249435

Purdy completed 20 of 22 pass attempts (90.9 percent) for 287 yards and two touchdowns, finishing with a 149.1 passer rating. He also rushed for a touchdown in the 49ers' 35-13 win over the Dolphins.

"Yeah, he was real sharp," head coach Kyle Shanahan said after the game. "He was on point, got the ball to all the right spots. I think his one incompletion was a drop, and then the other one on a third down, we had a bust on the play, but he was great today."

Purdy became the first player in NFL history to complete at least 90 percent of his passes, throw for at least 285 yards and two touchdowns, and rush for a touchdown in the same game.

The 49ers quarterback now has eight career games with a passer rating of at least 140.0, the most by any quarterback in his first five NFL seasons. Purdy surpassed Ben Roethlisberger and Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterbacks Roger Staubach and Kurt Warner, each with seven such games.

This marks Purdy's third career Offensive Player of the Week award. He joins Pro Football Hall of Famers Steve Young (12-time winner) and Joe Montana (eight-time winner) as the only San Francisco quarterbacks to earn the honor at least three times. Purdy previously won the award in Week 11 of the 2023 season and Week 16 of the 2025 season.

Purdy is also the only former Iowa State player to earn multiple Offensive Player of the Week awards.]]> Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images 49ers vs. Cardinals in Week 3: How to watch, stream, and listen, plus odds https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/203525-49ers-cardinals-watch-stream-listen/ Wed, 23 Sep 2026 08:37:24 PDT 2026-09-23T08:37:24-07:00 Site Staff 15c0f3f04551af2203f021f30605fe10

Previous game


The 49ers are coming off a 35-13 victory against the Miami Dolphins. The offense was led by QB Brock Purdy, who completed 20 of his 22 passing attempts for 287 yards and two touchdowns through the air, to go along with three carries for a team-high 30 yards and one touchdown on the ground. TE George Kittle recorded four catches for a team-high 80 yards and one touchdown, while FB Kyle Juszczyk caught two passes for 27 yards, including a six-yard touchdown reception. RB Christian McCaffrey added 10 carries for 23 yards and two rushing touchdowns.

On defense, the 49ers held the Dolphins to 182 passing yards and registered 4.0 sacks of Dolphins QB Malik Willis. S Ji'Ayir Brown led the unit with a team- and career-high 12 tackles. LB Fred Warner added five tackles, one forced fumble, and split a sack of Willis with CB Upton Stout. S Marques Sigle tallied six tackles and his first career sack, while DL Romello Height and DL Keion White each recorded their first sacks of the season.

The 49ers Communications staff provided the above breakdown.

Below is everything you need to know to follow the upcoming game.

When does the game start?


Sunday, September 27 at 1:05 p.m. PT

Where is the game being played?


Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California

Who are the head coaches?


49ers: Kyle Shanahan
Cardinals: Mike LaFleur

Betting Odds


As of September 23, the 49ers are favored by 8.5 points in this game, with an over/under set at 48 points, per BetMGM.

What channel is the game on?


Network: FOX
Play-By-Play: Kevin Kugler
Color Analyst: Daryl Johnston
Sideline Reporter: Allison Williams

Viewers outside the broadcast area can watch the game via NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV or YouTube Premium, but a subscription to the package is required.

What areas will receive the broadcast?


The broadcast will be viewable within the markets designated below for those without NFL Sunday Ticket.

Coverage map courtesy of 506sports.com



Where can I stream the game?


NFL Sunday Ticket subscribers can stream the game using the YouTube TV app. Those who purchased through YouTube Premium can watch via the YouTube app. Additionally, NFL+ subscribers can stream the full game once the matchup is complete.

Bay Area fans can stream the game through the official 49ers app or at 49ers.com.

Where can I listen to the radio broadcast?


49ers Radio
Bay Area fans can listen on KGO 810 AM and The Bone 107.7 FM, where Guy Haberman and Tim Ryan will call the game.

Jesús Zárate and Carlos Yustis will call the game in Spanish. Fans can listen at 49ers.com/esp.

Cardinals Radio
Phoenix-area fans can listen on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM, where J.P. Shadrick and A.Q. Shipley will call the game.

Streaming
NFL+ subscribers can listen to the game through that service.

Game discussion


Fans can discuss the game within our Niner Talk forum.

How has this series played out historically?


Matchups: 69
Series Record: 49ers lead series 38-31
49ers Home Record vs. Cardinals: 49ers lead series 21-15
49ers Away Record vs. Cardinals: 49ers lead series 17-16
First Meeting: 11/18/51, Cardinals win 27-21, at SF*
Last Meeting: 11/16/25, 49ers win 41-22, at Arz.
Current Streak: Won 2
Longest 49ers Win Streak: 5 – 3 times (Last 9/13/09 – 11/20/11)
Longest Cardinals Win Streak: 8 – (9/27/15 – 10/28/18)
Most 49ers Points: 56 (10/18/92): 49ers win 56-17, at SF
Most Cardinals Points: 47 (1/5/25): Cardinals win 47-24, at Arz.
49ers Shutouts: None
Cardinals Shutouts: None
* Chicago Cardinals

49ers Notes


  • QB Brock Purdy last week became the first player ever with a 90+ completion percentage (90.9, 20 of 22), 285+ passing yards (287), two touchdown passes, and a rushing touchdown in a single game. Has eight career games with a 140+ passer rating, the most by a player in his first five seasons in NFL history (minimum 10 pass attempts in each game). Is one of three players (Josh Allen and Bryce Young) with 2+ touchdown passes and a 100+ passer rating in each of the first two weeks. Has 13 TDs (12 pass, 1 rush) and a 123 passer rating in five career starts vs. Ari.
  • RB Christian McCaffrey had two rushing TDs in Week 2 to reach 100 career scrimmage TDs in 114 games, the fourth-fastest player in the Super Bowl era to reach 100 scrimmage TDs. Became the third player in NFL history with 50+ scrimmage TDs with multiple teams (HOFers Marshall Faulk and Randy Moss). Aims for his fifth in a row vs. Ari. with 120+ scrimmage yards and has 3+ TDs in three of his last four vs. Ari.
  • FB Kyle Juszczyk had a TD catch in Week 2. Has a receiving TD in two of his past three vs. Ari.
  • WR Mike Evans ranks second with 13,155 receiving yards and 109 TD catches since 2014.
  • TE George Kittle led the team with 80 receiving yards and had a TD catch in Week 2. Ranks second with 601 receptions and 8,100 receiving yards and third with 53 TD receptions among TEs since 2017. Has a TD catch in two of his last three vs. Ari.
  • LB Fred Warner had 0.5 sack and a FF in Week 2. Had 11 tackles and two PD in the last meeting. Aims for his seventh in a row vs. Ari. with 8+ tackles.
  • LB Dre Greenlaw had eight tackles in Week 2 and aims for his fourth in a row vs. Ari. with 8+ tackles.
  • DL Nick Bosa has six TFL and three FFs in seven career home games vs. Ari.
  • DL Keion White had his first sack of the season last week.
  • CB Upton Stout had 0.5 sack and a PD in Week 2. Had seven tackles and a FF in the last meeting.
  • CB Deommodore Lenoir had seven tackles, two PD, and an INT in the last meeting. Has a PD in three of his last four vs. Ari.
  • S Ji'Ayir Brown led the team with 12 tackles and had a TFL in Week 2.
  • S Marques Sigle totaled six tackles and a sack in Week 2.

Cardinals Notes


  • QB Jacoby Brissett has a TD pass in 14 straight games, the second-longest active streak in the NFL (Jared Goff, 25 games). Since 2025, has 2+ TD passes in seven of his eight road starts with Ari. Since Week 6 last season, ranks second in the NFL with 3,738 passing yards. Completed an NFL-record 47 of 57 attempts (82.5 pct.) for a career-high 452 yards and two TDs in the last meeting.
  • RB Jeremiyah Love (rookie) aims for his third in a row with 45+ scrimmage yards.
  • TE Trey McBride had eight catches for 41 yards and his 19th career receiving TD last week, becoming the fifth TE ever with 8+ catches in each of his team's first two games of a season. Became the seventh TE ever with 8+ catches in 20+ career games (20). Is one of two TEs (Tyler Warren) with a receiving TD in each of the first two weeks. Had 10 catches for 115 yards and a receiving TD in the last meeting and aims for his fourth in a row vs. SF with a TD catch. Has 10 receiving TDs in his past 11 on the road. Aims for his ninth in a row on the road with 50+ receiving yards and his 12th in a row on the road with 5+ catches.
  • WR Michael Wilson aims for his fifth in a row on the road with 5+ catches and 50+ receiving yards. Set career highs with 15 receptions for 185 yards in the last meeting.
  • WR Kendrick Bourne had 551 receiving yards with SF last season.
  • S Budda Baker led the team with 11 tackles and had a sack and PD in Week 2, his 36th game with 10+ tackles, the most by a DB since 2000. Has 5+ tackles in 36 straight games, the longest active streak in the NFL, and aims for his 15th in a row vs. SF with 5+ tackles.
  • S Andrew Wingard had a FR in his only career game at SF (9/28/25 with Jacksonville). Aims for his third in a row with a TFL.
  • LB Mack Wilson aims for his fifth in a row vs. SF with a PD.
  • LB Zaven Collins had his fourth career FF and fourth career FR in Week 2.
  • LB Jack Gibbens aims for his third in a row with 7+ tackles.
  • LB Jordan Burch aims for his third in a row with a TFL.
  • DL Darius Robinson had his sixth career TFL last week.
]]> Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images 49ers' Brock Purdy makes NFL history with remarkable Week 2 performance https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/203522-49ers-nfl-history-remarkable-performance/ Wed, 23 Sep 2026 07:35:03 PDT 2026-09-23T07:35:03-07:00 David Bonilla caa7615c8eca2b347edf6d91131ebaee 35-13 win over the Miami Dolphins, earning a nearly flawless 149.1 passer rating. He also added a rushing touchdown.

More importantly, Purdy helped the 49ers improve to 2-0 in a division expected to be highly competitive this season.

Purdy reached several milestones during the game. He became the first player in NFL history to complete at least 90 percent of his pass attempts, throw for at least 285 yards and two touchdowns, and score a rushing touchdown in the same game.

That may sound awfully specific, but it emphasizes just how impressive the 49ers quarterback was in Week 2.

Purdy achieved two more milestones that highlight how well he has played through his first five NFL seasons. He has now accomplished two things no other quarterback has achieved.

Purdy has 13 career games with a passer rating of at least 130.0, surpassing Russell Wilson, who had 12, for the most such games by a player in his first five NFL seasons.

At an even higher passer rating, Purdy still tops the list. He has eight career games with a passer rating of at least 140.0, also the most by any quarterback in his first five NFL seasons. Purdy surpassed Ben Roethlisberger and Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterbacks Roger Staubach and Kurt Warner, who each had seven such games.


Even more remarkable, Purdy is putting up these numbers while the 49ers' wide receiver room deals with the loss of several playmakers.

Ricky Pearsall was a projected starter but underwent season-ending knee surgery during training camp. Rookie De'Zhaun Stribling underwent ankle surgery and isn't expected to return until later in the season. Then, on Sunday, the 49ers lost Demarcus Robinson, who suffered a high-ankle sprain against the Dolphins.

Purdy's ability to overcome those losses and continue playing at a high level doesn't surprise his teammates.

RELATED: MVPurdy? 49ers quarterback leaves teammates buzzing with latest performance

"My takeaway is I'm not surprised," linebacker Fred Warner said. "Brock is unbelievable, and I've spoken on how great of a preseason he had and his camp, his command of the offense. But it's different, right? I mean, we get judged on those three hours that we're out there. And so, for him to be operating the offense the way he is right now, it doesn't matter who the other pieces are. As long as Brock's the one that's being the point guard, I know we're good."

Purdy could be in line for another big performance this weekend when the 49ers host the Arizona Cardinals. While the milestones are impressive, Purdy and the 49ers will be more focused on adding another win to their record.]]> Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images 49ers signing veteran WR Brandin Cooks to practice squad https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/203511-49ers-signing-veteran-brandin-practice/ Tue, 22 Sep 2026 15:08:00 PDT 2026-09-22T16:17:28-07:00 David Bonilla c52761fd020a0e408ec622cebf673ee8

Cooks entered the NFL as a first-round pick by the New Orleans Saints, who selected him 20th overall in the 2014 NFL Draft out of Oregon State. Throughout his career, he has played for the Saints, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams, Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, and Buffalo Bills.

During the 2025 season, which he split between the Saints and Bills, Cooks appeared in 15 games, including five starts. He recorded 24 receptions for 279 yards, averaging 11.6 yards per catch, with no touchdowns.

Cooks' best seasons came between 2015 and 2021. He recorded at least 1,037 receiving yards and six touchdowns in six of those seven seasons.

Over 12 NFL seasons, Cooks has appeared in 173 games, recording 734 receptions for 9,811 yards and 60 receiving touchdowns. He has also rushed for 341 yards and two touchdowns.

The 49ers have lost several wide receivers this season. Ricky Pearsall underwent season-ending knee surgery during training camp, rookie De'Zhaun Stribling underwent ankle surgery following a Week 1 injury and isn't expected to return until later in the season, and Demarcus Robinson suffered a high-ankle sprain on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins.

Additionally, Mike Evans is dealing with a hip issue, although the injury is not believed to be serious.

Matt Barrows of The Athletic added that Cooks didn't work out for the 49ers and arrived in Santa Clara on Tuesday. He noted, "No one's sure when he'll suit up for a game."

]]> Bob Donnan-Imagn Images George Kittle reveals why 49ers are off to a hot start in 2026 https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/203509-george-kittle-reveals-49ers-start/ Tue, 22 Sep 2026 14:38:00 PDT 2026-09-22T14:38:00-07:00 David Bonilla 9ca83413b3b2f5f76616f18770970dfb 35-13 win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, improving to 2-0.

The offense is firing on all cylinders, with quarterback Brock Purdy playing at an exceptional level. He has completed 80.4% of his passes for 492 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception through two games.

"This offense is crazy," safety Ji'Ayir Brown said after Sunday's game. "We've got so many weapons ... We got dogs. All veteran guys that got so much respect around the building, so much respect in the league, and they just make plays when it's their time."

Despite injuries affecting the roster, the 49ers still have plenty of playmakers on offense, including Christian McCaffrey, Mike Evans, George Kittle, and Deebo Samuel.

Kittle joined The Rich Eisen Show on Tuesday and offered another reason why the 49ers have enjoyed so much early success.

"This is essentially the same offense we've had for quite a while now," Kittle said. "It's the same starting O-line as last year. It's the same quarterback, the same fullback, the same running back, the same tight ends.

"The wide receiver room has changed a little bit, but Deebo's been a part of it before. I think Mike Evans would work in any offense because of how good he is."

Kittle also admitted that he's in awe of playing alongside two sure-fire Hall of Fame players in Evans and left tackle Trent Williams, both of whom continue to perform at a high level despite being in the latter stages of their careers.

Kittle, in particular, still can't believe he gets to share the field with Evans, the 49ers' big free-agent acquisition this past offseason.

"Every time we call a play and I know Mike has a chance to get the ball, I'm like, 'Man, this is so sick. Brock Purdy's throwing the ball to Mike Evans and I'm blocking for him.'" Kittle said. "What a dream come true."

While the 49ers' hot start has fans wondering what the team could accomplish this season, Kittle and his teammates aren't looking beyond their next opponent. This week, that's the Arizona Cardinals, who visit Levi's Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

"Buckle down the hatches. Lock in. It's a long season," Kittle said. "One week at a time. The only thing on our minds right now are the Arizona Cardinals, who went into LA, upset the Chargers, had a tough one against Seattle—but Seattle's a pretty good team.

"This is going to be a hell of a game. So lock in. Focus week to week. No big picture here."

]]> Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images 49ers have strong reason to keep Mac Jones after watching NFL injury situation https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/203508-strong-reason-watching-nfl-situation/ Tue, 22 Sep 2026 14:04:00 PDT 2026-09-22T14:06:01-07:00 David Bonilla 9f3277c7ce239904e061aa11bfc27a3f
The latest is New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, who is believed to have suffered an MCL injury Monday night against the Los Angeles Rams. Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network report that Dart's injury is more severe than initially anticipated, with the quarterback expected to be "out for an extended period of time, possibly the season."

That's difficult news for the Giants, who were forced to turn to Jameis Winston. He completed just 11 of 27 passes for 111 yards and an interception against the Rams' defense. The 49ers will travel to MetLife Stadium to face the Giants in Week 13.

Other quarterback injuries include Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (glute), Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (hamstring), and Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (dislocated left elbow). Darnold could return soon, while Williams is considered week-to-week.

Bears backup quarterback Tyson Bagent is also in the concussion protocol, further complicating the situation in Chicago.

Naturally, whenever a quarterback goes down, or a team is dealing with an underperforming starter, the 49ers and backup quarterback Mac Jones enter the conversation. Jones is widely viewed as a starting-caliber passer, thanks to a resurgence under head coach Kyle Shanahan, making him an intriguing potential trade target.

While those discussions made for plenty of offseason speculation, the first two weeks of the 2026 NFL season have reinforced one thing: Having a competent backup quarterback matters.

The 49ers already know that. They watched Jones step in for starter Brock Purdy last season when Purdy missed eight games with a turf toe injury. Jones played some impressive and gutsy football, helping keep the 49ers on track toward a playoff berth.

The Seahawks also know the value of quarterback depth. They are 2-0 behind Drew Lock, who has completed 72.9% of his passes for 422 yards and four touchdowns while filling in for Darnold. In fact, some have begun wondering whether Lock is playing at an even higher level than the Seahawks' starter.

No one is asking the same question about the 49ers' quarterback situation, given how Purdy has started the season. He has completed 80.4% of his passes for 492 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception through two games.

It helps that the 49ers' offensive line has outperformed expectations, particularly on the interior, which did not allow a pressure against the Miami Dolphins in Week 2. Only tackles Colton McKivitz (3) and Trent Williams (1) were credited with allowing pressure.

Purdy has also not been sacked yet this season.

While Purdy has stayed healthy and played remarkably well out of the gate, the NFL is unpredictable. The start of the 2026 NFL season makes the case for trading Jones less compelling. The 49ers know the value of a proven backup behind Purdy, and the team likely isn't ready to bet on Kurtis Rourke filling that role if Purdy misses significant time.

Jones will likely seek out greener pastures as a free agent in 2027, but that shouldn't change the 49ers' approach this season. San Francisco should be comfortable knowing it has one of the better quarterback situations in the NFL, with a proven starter and a capable backup behind him.

For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, that depth is key. The 49ers would be wise to keep Jones as long as they can.]]> Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images 49ers QB Brock Purdy gets surprising praise from longtime critic https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/203506-49ers-surprising-praise-longtime-critic/ Tue, 22 Sep 2026 11:11:20 PDT 2026-09-22T11:11:20-07:00 David Bonilla 2f189ffb20229211f1b171af9f6270b9 The Herd has been among the harshest critics of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy. While Cowherd doesn't consider Purdy a terrible quarterback, he has consistently credited the playmakers around him and head coach Kyle Shanahan's offensive system for much of his success.

Many, like Cowherd, believed the 49ers might face a challenging 2026 campaign because of the roster's age and injury concerns.

Instead, Purdy has now turned in two impressive performances to open the season, leading the 49ers to a win over the Los Angeles Rams in Australia before returning home to convincingly defeat the Miami Dolphins.

Through two games, Purdy has completed 80.4% of his passes for 492 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception while posting a 125.6 passer rating.

Purdy's performance against the Dolphins was nearly flawless. He completed 20 of 22 pass attempts for 287 yards and two touchdowns without an interception, finishing with a 149.1 passer rating. He even added a rushing touchdown.

The 49ers quarterback's hot start appears to have Cowherd changing his tune. Speaking with former NFL quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, Cowherd acknowledged that his previous take on Purdy may have been flawed.

Cowherd noted that his co-host, Jason McIntyre, often labeled him a Purdy "hater."

"My take was always, well, you get RB Christian McCaffrey, TE George Kittle, OT Trent Williams, WR Deebo Samuel —you've got the keys to a Mercedes right out of college," Cowherd said. "It's like it's a pretty good law firm to start out, right?

"And now, I will say this: the one thing about Purdy, and you have to explain this to the audience, I think he sees the field. Forget arm movement—I think he sees it as well as anybody. Watching his head—I mean, he watches the whole field. And this is probably not an easy offense, and he's been there now several years."

Cowherd then delivered what may be his highest praise yet for the 49ers quarterback.

"I think Purdy's playing as good a quarterback as anybody in the league right now. I really do, Matt. Talk about seeing the field, Shanahan's offense, this offense they run, how difficult is it? Because it's like the kid's mastering it."


Meanwhile, Hasselbeck has been a longtime Purdy supporter and responded to Cowherd's analysis of the quarterback.

"I don't think you're a hater, Colin," Hasselbeck said. "I think you've just finally seen the light with Brock Purdy. I've said it for probably too long. I think he's incredible. I think he's a baller. You saw Dan Marino, pregame, going over to him like, 'Hey man, I'm so impressed by you,' and he's over there fanboying. He's like, 'I wear 13 because of you. My dad was a Dolphins fan.'"

Hasselbeck added, "People who understand the position really respect him ... I'm kind of a broken record, but if you want to know how to find and then develop a young quarterback, look at that guy. And it kind of happened accidentally for them, too, but this is a great example of how it can work."

If Purdy's impressive play continues, his harshest critics may have fewer reasons to downplay the 49ers quarterback's success.]]> Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images 49ers in Week 3 power rankings: 'Might be the most complete team in football' https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/203505-49ers-power-rankings-complete-football/ Tue, 22 Sep 2026 10:03:00 PDT 2026-09-22T10:03:00-07:00 David Bonilla bed64e267a3382cdfa5047eaea14fdf7 35-13 win over the Miami Dolphins in Week 2, improving to 2-0 on the season.

Even Brock Purdy's harshest critics are running out of reasons to downplay the quarterback's success. Purdy was nearly flawless against the Dolphins, completing 20 of 22 passes for 287 yards and two touchdowns while posting a 149.1 passer rating. At one point, he completed 18 consecutive passes. He even added a rushing touchdown.

We'll see if Purdy can continue his impressive play into Week 3, when San Francisco takes part in an NFC West showdown against the Arizona Cardinals, who fell to 1-1 after a blowout loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2.

How does the national media view the 49ers compared to the rest of the NFL? Below is a roundup of the latest NFL power rankings, highlighting where San Francisco currently stands across various outlets. As always, the highest rankings are listed first.

The Athletic
Current Ranking: 1
Previous Ranking: 1
"Rookie spotlight: Kaelon Black. The running back out of Indiana has more carries and almost as many rushing yards (90) as Christian McCaffrey (91) through two weeks. Not bad for a third-round pick who didn't even get an invite to the NFL combine. And it helps make Niners fans feel better about losing promising rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling for 10 weeks due to an ankle sprain." — Josh Kendall and Chad Graff

Bleacher Report
Current Ranking: 3
Previous Ranking: 3
"The San Francisco 49ers impressed with their 27-7 win over the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1. While their blowout win over Miami on Sunday was expected, it shows that San Francisco is a tier or two above the NFL's middling teams. Through two weeks, the 49ers have looked like the best team in football. It's easy to forget that San Francisco was playing for the NFC's No. 1 seed in Week 18 last season, even after a cascade of significant injuries. Unfortunately, players like Ricky Pearsall, Jake Tonges, and De'Zhaun Stribling have already suffered significant injuries this season. However, if San Francisco can stay relatively healthy the rest of the way, it should be in the mix for the top seed once again." — Kris Knox

CBS Sports
Current Ranking: 3
Previous Ranking: 4
"The stars continue to show up for this team, which is why it will be a serious playoff contender. With those guys on the field, and Kyle Shanahan coaching, they will be tough to beat." — Pete Prisco

ESPN
Current Ranking: 3
Previous Ranking: 5
"Purdy has been one of the league's most productive quarterbacks since taking over the starting job in 2022. Now in his fifth season, he's completely comfortable in coach Kyle Shanahan's offense and is coming off his best training camp. That hot start has teammates such as linebacker Fred Warner openly wondering whether Purdy can compete for league MVP honors. Through two weeks, Purdy is atop the league in QBR (94.9) despite a supporting cast that has already been thinned by injury. If he stays healthy, there's reason to believe Purdy will post his best year yet." — Nick Wagoner

FOX Sports
Current Ranking: 3
Previous Ranking: 7
"The 49ers might be the most complete team in football. A terrific QB, great running game, excellent receivers, strong line, tough defense and a brilliant coach. They've got it all." — Ralph Vacchiano

Sporting News
Current Ranking: 3
Previous Ranking: 5
"The 49ers are back to being a well-balanced offensive machine for Kyle Shanahan with the usual big plays from Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey. They also need to be extra pleased about how swarming the defense has been under Raheem Morris." — Vinnie Iyer

USA Today
Current Ranking: 3
Previous Ranking: 2
"Only three NFL players in history have scored 50 touchdowns with two different franchises. Hall of Famers Marshall Faulk and Randy Moss and Christian McCaffrey. End of list. Impressive." — Nate Davis

Yahoo! Sports
Current Ranking: 3
Previous Ranking: 5
"The 49ers got a good runout to start the season. They got the Rams in Australia, when Los Angeles practically blew off that trip by landing the day before the game. Then they got the Dolphins, who have the worst roster in the NFL. They blew out both teams, which shouldn't be taken for granted in the NFL. Their point differential of +42 is dominant. They have had only two negative plays all season, not counting kneel-downs, the fewest for a team this century through two games, according to Doug Clawson of CBS. Brock Purdy is playing well, keeping the offense afloat despite receiver injuries already piling up, and the defense has given up only one touchdown to the Rams and another TD to the Dolphins when they were leading by 29 points in the final minutes. It has been an impressive start." — Frank Schwab

Sports Illustrated
Current Ranking: 4
Previous Ranking: 6
"Sure, the Rams in Australia and the Dolphins at home to follow. But the clinical dissection of both teams was enough to earn Kyle Shanahan & Co. a major boost this week. I keep thinking about something Shanahan has said that makes the team's sustained run all the more interesting. Nearly every team in the league runs his offense, so every defense practices against it every day. The fact that the 49ers are still an elite team is more amazing than we think." — Conor Orr

Pro Football Talk
Current Ranking: 5
Previous Ranking: 10
"Brock Purdy is making a push for the list of top-10 quarterbacks. Maybe the top five." — Mike Florio

NFL.com
Current Ranking: 7
Previous Ranking: 9
"Folks, Brock Purdy is dealing. Defenses have not been able to stop the 26-year-old in the first two weeks. Purdy is at the peak of his powers and completely comfortable running the show, dicing up the opposition and adding his own flair along the way. Quietly, the 49ers are dunking on the doubters, looking like one of the better teams in the NFL through two games." — Nick Shook]]> Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images Why the 49ers sideline was frustrated by Brock Purdy penalty vs. Dolphins https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/203503-49ers-sideline-frustrated-penalty-dolphins/ Tue, 22 Sep 2026 09:26:27 PDT 2026-09-22T09:26:27-07:00 David Bonilla 32de192dbe83dab87345e74c1608b7df
One of Purdy's two incompletions came on a drop by wide receiver Deebo Samuel.

"I was talking to WR Mike Evans on the sideline when they put Brock's stats up, and it's like 20-for-22, but he could have been 21-for-22 if I didn't drop one. But pretty efficient, for sure," Samuel said after the game.

After reviewing the game film, head coach Kyle Shanahan was equally impressed by his franchise quarterback's performance.

"It was real good. He was almost flawless," Shanahan said during a Monday conference call. "His last play was probably his only miss on the intentional grounding. Besides that, he was pretty perfect. He had an unbelievable game."

That intentional grounding call in the fourth quarter, however, sparked a very different reaction from the 49ers sideline.

Purdy dropped back to pass on the play, but pressure from Dolphins safety Michael Taaffe forced him to retreat farther than he'd prefer as he used his legs to avoid the defender.

Purdy eventually threw the ball toward running back Jordan James, who was being defended by former 49ers defensive end Clelin Ferrell. Ferrell immediately raised his hands, seemingly indicating he hadn't interfered with James. The two players had collided, sending James to the ground as Purdy released the pass.

Then came the flag.

The 49ers appeared to expect a defensive pass interference penalty, but the officials ruled that Purdy had committed intentional grounding instead. That immediately caught the attention of the 49ers sideline.

The replay showed Purdy's pass sailed well over James, making it seem uncatchable for the running back. Shanahan argued the call with multiple officials, seemingly trying to persuade them that contact from Ferrell affected James' route and may have kept him from getting closer to where Purdy threw the ball. The officials ultimately stood by the intentional grounding penalty.

After the game, tight end George Kittle offered his perspective on the sideline reaction.

"I think we thought it was going to be a pass interference, because I think it was James got smoked by Dolphins DE Clelin Ferrell. Come on, Clelin! ... and so they were talking about it, and then they threw the flag, so we all thought, 'Oh, it's going to be pass interference.'

"And then they said intentional grounding. We were all like, 'Wait, what?' But hey, you know what? Refs make calls, and they're entitled to do that."

The penalty ultimately mattered little to the outcome, but it stood out as one of the few things that went wrong for Purdy during an otherwise remarkable afternoon. The 49ers quarterback turned in a nearly flawless performance, helping San Francisco improve to 2-0.]]> Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images 49ers QB Brock Purdy proving himself to be far more than a game manager https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/203492-49ers-brock-purdy-more-manager/ Mon, 21 Sep 2026 17:13:00 PDT 2026-09-21T17:42:59-07:00 Jack Stewart a5f008e720b68092c6fdc9858d94baf7
Just like the poster child of game managers, Trent Dilfer. Trent Dilfer had a 55.5% career completion percentage. Trent Dilfer threw for 113 career touchdown passes and threw 129 interceptions.

This is the Trent Dilfer who won a Super Bowl despite passing for only 153 yards and completing 48% of his throws. He benefited from having a defense that held their opponent to 152 yards and gave up no points. That defense also returned an interception for a touchdown, while the return team ran a kickoff back for another score. In other words, even if the offense had not scored, Dilfer would have won the Super Bowl.

That's what a game manager looks like.

So Brock Purdy is clearly a game manager. After all, he has a career completion percentage of 68%. He has taken his team to the Super Bowl, where he gave the 49ers two leads that a non-dominant defense could not hold. He has also taken San Francisco to the playoffs in three of his four seasons.

Many point out Brock's lack of athleticism. That was on display against Miami, when he scrambled up the middle 10 yards for a first down. And there was the unathletic scramble for a touchdown to close out the drive. And of course, his ridiculous scramble, faking one player into the air, then avoiding another, before finding Mike Evans 21 yards away.

This is the "dink-and-dunk" Brock Purdy who has led the league in air yards per attempt and air yards per completion.

And this is the supposedly reliant-on-playmakers Brock Purdy who led the 49ers to the playoffs last season, throwing to backup tight ends and backup receivers almost the entire year.

The guy who can't put the team on his back put the team on his back against the Lions in the playoffs for one of the biggest postseason comebacks in franchise history.

As I have written numerous times, Brock Purdy is none of the things his detractors say he is.

And yesterday was wonderful as he demonstrated all of the skills elite quarterbacks have. He threw balls to all areas of the field. He evaded the pass rush to run for first downs and a touchdown, and he avoided it to throw strikes way downfield.

And none of this accounts for his leadership.

Even as a rookie, Purdy commanded the huddle. Veterans marveled that a third-string, seventh-round, scout-team rookie quarterback would tell someone in the huddle to focus and unwedge his head from the unpopular orifice.

Forty-Niners superstar Fred Warner has called Purdy "a baller."

That's what Brock is. And that is what the great quarterbacks are.]]> Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images