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 Thu, 20 Aug 2026 14:08:00 PDT Thu, 20 Aug 2026 14:08:00 PDT 49ers Rookie Kaelon Black Has Chance to Seize RB2 Role Against Chargers https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/202500-rookie-kaelon-chance-against-chargers/ Thu, 20 Aug 2026 14:08:00 PDT 2026-08-20T14:19:06-07:00 Casey Lima 9877bbe82109cc7fd4f70978f8694a7a
Quarterback Brock Purdy will get some reps tonight. As interesting as the left guard battle is, and judging from previous joint practices, how frustrating the play of the 49ers' safeties has been so far in camp, an intriguing option to observe closely tonight is rookie running back Kaelon Black.

With the current state of the running back depth chart somewhat in flux based on injuries and availability, Black will see plenty of opportunities tonight. The 2026 third-round pick from Indiana is coming off an abductor injury in which he missed about two weeks of camp.

Black averaged 5.6 yards per carry with ten rushing touchdowns in under 200 attempts during his final collegiate season. Not initially deemed a shifty running back or a pass-catching option out of the backfield, Black is fast, physical, and a bruiser in short-yardage situations considering his measurables (5'10, 210 lbs.). In a recent interview, NFL Films senior producer Greg Cosell acknowledged that he is high on Black's upside.

"I thought he was tough, physical, a grinder, powerful, no-holds-barred runner," Cosell said. "He's just a very, very physical guy. I think he fits the 49ers' run game."

Given that the 49ers would prefer to limit McCaffrey's touches considerably this year from the absurd 450 (including playoffs) he had last season, there is a chance for Black to flourish as a potential primary backup.

While John Lynch's resume drafting running backs in the third round has been less than stellar (Trey Sermon, anyone?), Black could be a steal. Wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling impressed mightily in the exhibition opener. You're up, Kaelon Black.]]> Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images 49ers place running back on IR ahead of Chargers game, re-sign veteran https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/202497-49ers-running-chargers-re-sign-veteran/ Thu, 20 Aug 2026 13:46:00 PDT 2026-08-20T13:46:00-07:00 David Bonilla 44d9a63a8dfde6f04af6d7e310779e64 Patrick Taylor on the injured reserve list, ending his season for the second consecutive year.

To fill Taylor's roster spot, the 49ers re-signed running back Khalil Herbert, who was released by the team on August 17.

Herbert (5-9, 212) was originally selected by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round (217th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft. Throughout his five-year NFL career with the Bears (2021-24), the Cincinnati Bengals (2024), and the New York Jets (2025), he has appeared in 63 games, including 13 starts, and recorded 416 carries for 1,957 yards and nine touchdowns. He has also added 54 receptions for 316 yards and two touchdowns.

In 2025, Herbert appeared in seven games with the Jets, totaling 16 carries for 52 yards and one reception for four yards.

After three seasons with the Green Bay Packers (2021-23), Taylor signed with the 49ers in 2024. He recorded 39 carries for a career-high 183 rushing yards and one touchdown that season, bringing his career totals to 444 rushing yards and two touchdowns while averaging 4.3 yards per attempt.

Taylor re-signed with the 49ers in 2025 on a one-year deal before being placed on injured reserve ahead of the season. San Francisco re-signed the running back to another one-year contract on March 24.]]> David Gonzales-Imagn Images 49ers rookie to get another look at crucial position against Chargers https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/202495-another-crucial-position-against-chargers/ Thu, 20 Aug 2026 12:11:54 PDT 2026-08-20T12:11:54-07:00 David Bonilla e8fa2dd1803129e6884a101caeb5a710
Willis is competing with second-year offensive lineman Connor Colby and veteran Robert Jones for the starting spot. He should get another significant opportunity at left guard when the 49ers face the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium tonight, this time protecting franchise quarterback Brock Purdy with the first-team unit.

Willis played 33 offensive snaps last week against the Tennessee Titans, all at left guard, and earned an impressive 84.4 overall offensive grade from Pro Football Focus (PFF). His 90.1 run-blocking grade is encouraging, although his 55.5 pass-blocking grade shows there is still room for improvement. Willis allowed three pressures, including three quarterback hurries, against the Titans.

With the 49ers' starters sitting out, all 44 of Colby's snaps against the Titans came at right guard. He and Jones could see reps at that position against the Chargers with Dominick Puni sidelined due to a concussion.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan indicated that, despite the regular season quickly approaching, the competition for the starting left guard job is far from over.

"It's still a competition," Shanahan said. "No one's really completely made it easy on us yet. I still think we've got a lot more time to go, not a ton, but enough for guys to step up and do it.

"I think Carver, missing that time, has made him a little bit behind the 8-ball on it, but it's good that he's gotten a full week in and hopefully has no setbacks, so we can make that opinion here in about two weeks."

Purdy offered his early impressions of Willis, who has struggled at times, as would be expected from a rookie, but is trying to make the most of his opportunities.

"I think he's done a good job with coming in," Purdy said. "There's a lot within our offensive run scheme and everything. As a young guy to come in and learn that quick, it's a challenge. I think he's been able to handle it pretty well, and I know he's going to keep getting better with more reps.

"But any guy that is in front of me, I'm going to have their back, and I know they're going to give it their all for me. So I'm going to keep believing in them, working with them. I've got a lot of trust in him."

With the 49ers still evaluating their options at left guard, Willis has another opportunity to strengthen his case against the Chargers. If he can build on his strong run-blocking performance against the Titans while improving in pass protection, the rookie could make a strong push for the starting job before the regular season begins.]]> David Gonzales-Imagn Images 49ers position rankings: How PFF rates receiving corps, running backs, and secondary https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/202493-position-rankings-receiving-running-secondary/ Thu, 20 Aug 2026 09:39:10 PDT 2026-08-20T09:39:10-07:00 David Bonilla 8c49a88596598d08fcf2ea2dd93c543f
The 49ers' wide receiver room underwent a significant makeover this offseason, with the team believing the group is better equipped for the 2026 season. Veterans Mike Evans and Christian Kirk were added, although Kirk has been sidelined throughout training camp with a calf strain.

"That's been unfortunate for him because he had the same thing in OTAs, so he missed that," head coach Kyle Shanahan said of Kirk this week. "And he hasn't been ready to go. He did it the first practice, before we even got to team periods, so I know he's been extremely frustrated with it.

"We love the guy so far, but hopefully, he can have some better luck going forward here so he gets some reps out here."

49ers receiving corps rank No. 13


PFF ranked the 49ers' revamped receiving corps No. 13 in the NFL. However, the analytics site noted that Shanahan has consistently produced a strong passing attack, with contributions from more than just his wide receivers.

"Ricky Pearsall's season-ending injury is a significant blow, but this team doesn't always need wide threats to find aerial success," PFF wrote. "San Francisco's 90.1 PFF receiving grade from running backs and tight ends was by far the highest in the NFL last year. George Kittle remains one of the most complete tight ends in the league, and Christian McCaffrey was the only running back to record 1,000 receiving yards in 2025.

"The addition of veteran Mike Evans gives this offense a proven outside contributor to help offset the loss of Pearsall."

Not mentioned is the 49ers' top draft pick, De'Zhaun Stribling, the rookie wide receiver who looks to be carving out a role on offense with a strong training camp, and the reunion with Deebo Samuel.

49ers running backs rank No. 5


PFF ranked the 49ers' running back group No. 5 in the NFL, boosted by the presence of Christian McCaffrey, who remains one of the most productive and versatile weapons in Kyle Shanahan's offense.

"Christian McCaffrey remains the best aerial threat at the running back position in the NFL, as proven by his 91.7 PFF receiving grade last year," PFF wrote. "His career receiving yards already rank sixth all time among backs. However, now at age 30, McCaffrey is coming off his lowest yards-per-carry season since his rookie year."

The biggest question mark is who will emerge as McCaffrey's primary backup. The 49ers hope someone can establish himself as a productive rusher who can keep their starter fresh and healthy throughout the long NFL season.

"This is a quietly stacked group behind him, though, provided they can stay healthy, with rookie Kaelon Black battling Jordan James for the second-string job, and also dealing with preseason injuries," PFF added. "The aging wonder that is fullback Kyle Juszczyk also boosts San Francisco's standing here."

49ers secondary ranks No. 24


The lowest-ranked of the three groups is the 49ers' secondary, which came in at No. 24. While Deommodore Lenoir, Renardo Green, and Upton Stout are projected to start at cornerback, there remains a competition at safety, with players such as Ji'Ayir Brown and Marques Sigle battling for a starting role.

"This is debatably the worst position group on an otherwise strong roster once again in 2026," PFF wrote. "It's a fairly young and homegrown unit — all five starters return from last year, and all were drafted by the organization."

PFF isn't particularly confident that the 49ers' secondary will be a strength in 2026, although an improved pass rush could help the unit, along with the continued development of several young players.

"While continuity will help, there just isn't much optimism to speak of," PFF added. "The 49ers' 52.3 overall PFF grade was the third-lowest of any secondary in football in 2025."

With the 49ers ranking No. 13 at wide receiver, No. 5 at running back, and No. 24 in the secondary, the rankings highlight both the strengths and weaknesses of San Francisco's roster heading into the 2026 season.]]> David Gonzales-Imagn Images 49ers' biggest concern in 2026 is D-line draft misses, says PFF https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/202492-49ers-biggest-concern-d-line-misses/ Thu, 20 Aug 2026 08:58:01 PDT 2026-08-20T08:58:01-07:00 David Bonilla 96d1911819774f4461630d10f26a8c05
Gordon McGuinness of Pro Football Focus (PFF) identified the biggest concern for every NFL team and likely didn't have to think too hard when determining San Francisco's.

The 49ers' defensive line lost star pass rusher Nick Bosa to an ACL injury in Week 3 last season, and the unit never recovered, finishing with a league-low 20 sacks. It didn't help that the defense also lost first-round draft pick Mykel Williams, who was expected to help bolster the group, to an ACL injury.

San Francisco also used draft picks on defensive tackles Alfred Collins and C.J. West. While both players flashed potential, they tied for the team's lowest overall PFF grade at 35.0.

McGuinness believes the group of young defensive linemen still has plenty to prove before they can show that they were worth the draft capital the 49ers spent to acquire them. He identified "misses on the defensive line" as San Francisco's biggest concern, suggesting he believes some of the team's recent draft picks may struggle to live up to expectations.

"The 49ers need much more from their first- and second-round picks on the defensive line this season," McGuinness wrote. "Last season, Mykel Williams played just 385 snaps before suffering a season-ending injury, earning a 54.7 PFF grade and generating only 19 pressures on 245 pass-rushing snaps. Alfred Collins stayed healthy and logged 550 snaps, but his 35.0 PFF grade was tied for the second-lowest among the 94 interior defenders who played at least 300 snaps."

Bosa is returning from injury, while the 49ers also traded for defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, who has been a force during training camp. That includes a strong showing against the Los Angeles Chargers' offensive line during Tuesday's joint practice. San Francisco also invested a third-round draft pick in defensive end Romello Height.

Those additions, combined with potential second-year leaps from the team's young defensive linemen, could be enough to help San Francisco improve in the trenches.

Williams is not expected to be ready for Week 1 because he suffered his ACL injury later than Bosa. However, the 49ers remain pleased with the progress of his recovery.

"San Francisco still has plenty of talent on defense, but not enough to absorb misses on premium draft picks along the defensive line," McGuinness added. "Both Williams and Collins will be expected to take significant steps forward in 2026."

The 49ers have invested heavily in rebuilding their defensive line, and 2026 could be a pivotal season for several of those young players. If Williams, Collins, West, and the team's other young defensive linemen can take significant steps forward, San Francisco's biggest concern could quickly become one of its strengths.]]> D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images 49ers' Vita Vea trade hopes dashed after Buccaneers agree to $30 million extension https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/202481-49ers-dashed-buccaneers-million-extension/ Wed, 19 Aug 2026 15:57:00 PDT 2026-08-19T15:57:00-07:00 David Bonilla 508b4e06f23c6eae5473c741194cd9fa
Unhappy with his contract situation, Vea had requested a trade, and the 49ers were among the teams that reached out to the Buccaneers to inquire about the star defender. Adding Vea would have provided a significant boost to San Francisco's defensive front.


The Buccaneers selected Vea (6-foot-4, 347 pounds) out of Washington with the 12th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He has spent his entire eight-year NFL career in Tampa Bay.

During the 2025 season, Vea appeared in all 17 games, recording 34 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 13 quarterback hits, and 4.5 sacks. He posted a career-high seven sacks in 2024.

Over eight NFL seasons, Vea has appeared in 112 games (107 starts), totaling 256 tackles, 35 sacks, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and nine passes defensed. He also caught a one-yard touchdown pass during the 2019 season.

Vea was a key member of Tampa Bay's Super Bowl LV-winning team during the 2020 season and is a two-time Pro Bowl selection.]]> Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images Chargers rookie on 49ers joint practice: 'We tore them up' https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/202479-chargers-rookie-49ers-joint-practice/ Wed, 19 Aug 2026 14:02:36 PDT 2026-08-19T14:02:36-07:00 David Bonilla e1cf64ef0f603107a955a8ad02d0cd79 Tuesday's joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers may have given him a confidence boost as he prepares for his first NFL season.

The 49ers and Chargers practiced against each other at The Bolt, the Chargers' practice facility in El Segundo, California. After the session, Thompson spoke with reporters and was asked how he thought the practice went.

"It was a lot of fun. We tore them up," Thompson said.

His comment drew cheers from the Chargers season-ticket holders in attendance.

When asked how many touchdowns he had against the 49ers, Thompson confidently responded, "I lost count, honestly."

"But yeah, I think, like C Jake Slaughter said, this is the closest thing we're going to get to a real game," Thompson continued. "So, really just diving into the details and then, obviously, running our plays versus not our team, not our defense, and S Derwin James . I enjoyed that part of it. I think the intensity was really what I enjoyed the most."


Of course, it was just a practice, so not too much should be read into the results. The 49ers and Chargers will face each other in an exhibition game at SoFi Stadium on Thursday night. The two teams will meet again at the same venue in Week 15 of the regular season.

One player who wasn't particularly pleased with the 49ers' performance during the joint practice was quarterback Brock Purdy.

"Honestly, I don't think it was our best day," Purdy said. "I feel like fundamentals and stuff were just a little off and whatnot. Obviously there was some good stuff, some stuff we need to work on, but I just feel like we could have come out with a little bit more chip on our shoulder, offensively."]]> Kirby Lee-Imagn Images New 49ers defensive scheme could lead to young DB's first Pro Bowl https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/202476-new-49ers-defensive-scheme-young/ Wed, 19 Aug 2026 10:43:00 PDT 2026-08-19T10:43:00-07:00 David Bonilla c77b8ab80a69d908da1ca9552f3356d7 Morris' system thrives on instinctive players and added that this has been his most enjoyable training camp.

"He wants guys who can just get out there and play ball and read the quarterback," Brown said of Morris. "So, the scheme fits all of us, and it's been great to see us transition into this explosive D-back unit."

NFL Media's Kevin Patra recently named a potential first-time Pro Bowler from each NFC team and believes one 49ers defensive back could benefit significantly from Morris' scheme: second-year cornerback Upton Stout, who is expected to have a prominent role in 2026.

"Stout was boom or bust early in his rookie season, before smoothing out his play down the stretch," Patra explained. "The corner proved to be one of the Niners' most reliable secondary players."

Stout is the type of versatile defensive back who can impact the game from multiple positions, which is exactly what Morris wants from his defenders.

"Now, the coaching staff anticipates a significant Year 2 leap," Patra continued. "Playing the 'star' role (the versatile, hybrid role that blends several positions) in new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris' scheme should allow the DB to make even more plays in 2026."

Morris recently praised Stout's versatility, noting that he is capable of playing multiple positions. That versatility should make Stout an effective playmaker at the nickel spot, where he can contribute against both the pass and the run—and even in the pass rush.

"Stout can play whatever he wants," Morris said. "Stout can play linebacker, Stout can play safety, Stout can play corner. Right now, he is our starting star. He's our starting nickel. Him going out there playing at a very high level with his hand usage, his ability to get up to the pass rush, his ability to pass rush, his ability to use his short-space quickness, defend anything, whether it be zone, whether it be man.

"Highly competitive young man. Stays angry every single day. I love him. He's got the mindset of a football player, and he's got the mentality of a football player, and he certainly has the movement and the skill set of a football player."]]> Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images Former 49ers draft pick signs with Jets https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/202472-former-49ers-draft-pick-signs/ Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:07:00 PDT 2026-08-19T09:07:00-07:00 David Bonilla d4a0f80f26a50579f5f181bf8a976e78
The 49ers waived Bergen on August 12. Fortunately for the second-year player, he didn't remain without an NFL team for long.

The New York Jets announced Wednesday that they have signed Bergen, giving the former 49ers draft pick an opportunity to compete for a roster spot.

Bergen spent his rookie season on the 49ers' practice squad and has yet to appear in an NFL game. San Francisco selected him out of Montana with the No. 252 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Now, Bergen will look to make an impression with the Jets and earn his first opportunity to appear in an NFL game.]]> David Gonzales-Imagn Images 49ers training camp: Chargers joint practice sparks defensive concerns https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/202457-training-chargers-practice-defensive-concerns/ Tue, 18 Aug 2026 16:14:00 PDT 2026-08-19T07:28:29-07:00 David Bonilla 06686f1ceeec0b8337aa418aa9c4b6c5
The 49ers made two roster moves ahead of practice, signing defensive lineman Evan Anderson to a one-year deal and waiving injured defensive lineman Titus Leo, who signed with the team on August 2. Leo suffered a concussion during Sunday's practice.

Below are some of the key takeaways from the 9:50 a.m. PT practice at The Bolt, the Chargers' practice facility in El Segundo, California. These updates were compiled from multiple media reports.

Noteworthy non-participants


These are the players who did not practice and are not on an injury list.

  • DE Nick Bosa (soreness, tendinitis)
  • LB Luke Gifford (hamstring)
  • DT Gracen Halton (ankle)
  • CB Nate Hobbs (groin)
  • RB Jordan James (rib fracture)
  • FB Kyle Juszczyk (finger fracture)
  • WR Christian Kirk (calf strain)
  • OT Vederian Lowe (high-ankle sprain)
  • RB Christian McCaffrey (tightness)
  • S Malik Mustapha (hamstring strain)
  • RG Dominick Puni (concussion)
  • QB Kurtis Rourke (rib)
  • OL Brett Toth (concussion)
  • WR Malik Turner (undisclosed)
  • DT C.J. West (concussion)

Injury updates


Rookie running back Kaelon Black returned to practice after being sidelined by an adductor injury. His return is significant for a running back room that has been dealing with several training camp injuries.


Additionally, defensive end Keion White, who has also been dealing with an adductor injury, started practice in pads. However, after about an hour, he removed them and did not participate in team drills.

RELATED: Encouraging injury updates on McCaffrey, Bosa, Evans, others

Wide receiver Demarcus Robinson, who has been sidelined due to an undisclosed issue, also returned to practice.

Mike Evans' practice ended early. The wide receiver exited the field to have his left foot/ankle wrapped and iced. The good news is that Evans was seen shortly afterward observing the remainder of practice, with his foot/ankle no longer wrapped. However, he moved the ice pack to his left quad. Remember, Evans recently missed time during training camp due to a quad strain.

"They just said he has some tightness, so we were just being smart, taking him out," head coach Kyle Shanahan said after practice. "I don't think it's anything worse, so we'll see when we get in there, but nothing that I'm worried about right now."

Unavailable players


The 49ers reached an injury settlement with defensive end K.J. Henry, removing him from their injured reserve list.

Physically unable to perform (PUP)

  • RB Isaac Guerendo (pectoral)
  • TE George Kittle (Achilles)
  • DE Mykel Williams (ACL)

Injured reserve (IR)

  • DL Andrew Farmer (back)
  • S Darrick Forrest
  • DE Mikail Kamara (ACL)
  • WR Ricky Pearsall (PCL)

Reserve/left squad

  • WR Brandon Aiyuk

No fights


Unlike last week's joint practice against the Tennessee Titans, there were no fights during the 49ers' joint practice with the Los Angeles Chargers. When asked if the team did anything differently to keep the session civil, head coach Kyle Shanahan poked fun at his friend, Titans head coach Robert Saleh.

"No, their head coach had more discipline than Tennessee's," Shanahan quipped. "No, I'm just joking. A few things started early in the Tennessee practice, which, when that happens, then everything just gets escalated throughout the rest of the day.

"I wasn't on both sides, but nothing happened early, and usually when nothing happens early, nothing happens late."

Offensive notes


Quarterback Brock Purdy looked comfortable early on against the Chargers' defense, throwing with rhythm to his pass catchers throughout the practice.

Rookie running back Kaelon Black, participating in his first practice since returning from injury, broke off a couple of big runs early against the Chargers' defense, including this deep run down the left sideline:


"I thought he looked good hitting the hole and running hard," Purdy said of Black after practice. "You could tell there's a different level of intensity when he touches the ball, and I'm excited to see what he does in live action, too, with breaking tackles, hitting the gaps, and stuff like that.

"But I thought, from the jump, K.B. came out running pretty hard, so it was exciting to see him back."

Black also hauled in an eight-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Adrian Martinez. Shanahan expects Black to see some playing time in Thursday night's preseason game against the Chargers, with Christian McCaffrey unlikely to suit up.

Rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling continued to make an impression, hauling in a pair of contested touchdowns in the red zone, as shown in the video below.


"Those were two good plays," Shanahan said. "I think he had a couple rough ones too, so I'll hold my opinion until I really see the tape, but he's competing every day and getting better."

Purdy and wide receiver Mike Evans connected on two passes, including a 20-yard completion with Evans working against Chargers safety R.J. Mickens. Evans later exited practice due to "tightness" (see above).

Wide receiver Jacob Cowing had a 15-yard reception from quarterback Mac Jones, while wide receiver Demarcus Robinson hauled in a 15-yard reception from Purdy.

Wide receiver Deebo Samuel continued to get work at various spots, catching passes and taking handoffs from the quarterbacks. Rookie guard Carver Willis delivered a nice block against Chargers defensive tackle Teair Tart to spring Samuel for a good gain on a carry.

Chargers linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips intercepted Brock Purdy in the end zone on a pass intended for tight end Luke Farrell. Chargers safety Derwin James deflected the pass, allowing Phillips to come down with it.

Mac Jones tossed an interception to Chargers cornerback Eric Rogers on a pass intended for wide receiver Jordan Watkins. However, Jones also connected with wide receiver Trenton Irwin on a deep throw.

Purdy shared his thoughts on the 49ers' offensive performance against the Chargers.

"Honestly, I don't think it was our best day," Purdy said. "I feel like fundamentals and stuff were just a little off and whatnot. Obviously there was some good stuff, some stuff we need to work on, but I just feel like we could have come out with a little bit more chip on our shoulder, offensively."

Defensive notes


The 49ers' defensive backs struggled against the Chargers' passing attack, with quarterback Justin Herbert and his receiving corps putting on a show for the Chargers' season-ticket holders in attendance. Cornerbacks Deommodore Lenoir and rookie Ephesians Prysock were among the victims of some impressive deep throws from Herbert.


"Anytime you get to go against another team, it's a great opportunity to see where you stand," linebacker Fred Warner said. "I always look forward to joint practices for that reason—to come out and be in a game-like setting against another opponent. Luckily, it was a good test for us."

Speaking of Warner, the star linebacker forced a fumble by Chargers tight end David Njoku with one of his trademark peanut punches. Cornerback Jack Jones recovered the loose ball.

"Over the years, I try to practice it so much where it's not even a thought in my mind," Warner said. "It's just second nature, at this point."

Jack Jones nearly intercepted Herbert but couldn't hold onto the ball.

Defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa continued to stand out with consistent pressure on Chargers quarterbacks. It's worth noting that several of the 49ers' pass-defense deficiencies during practice—had this been an actual game—likely would have been negated by Odighizuwa's sacks. Quarterbacks cannot be touched during practices.

"Osa is a baller," Purdy said. "I think he's one of the more slept-on guys in the league, so I'm extremely excited that we have him. And every single play, he's almost going to sack me, it feels like. He's done a great job all camp."

Warner added, "Osa just seems like he just keeps getting better and better. I love the mindset, the tenacity, the physicality that he brings to the position and to our defense. We know how important it is to get pressure up front on the quarterback and in the run game, so I think Osa is just going to continue to get better as we keep going."

Safety Ji'Ayir Brown was on the receiving end of a collision with Chargers running back Omarion Hampton, who ripped off several big runs during the session.


Rookie defensive end Romello Height pressured Chargers quarterback DJ Uiagalelei. Defensive linemen James Thompson Jr., Ogbo Okoronkwo, and newly re-signed Evan Anderson generated pressure on former 49ers quarterback Trey Lance. Anderson even got his hands up to deflect a Lance pass that fell incomplete.

Thompson, who signed with the 49ers as an undrafted free agent, has also quietly impressed throughout training camp.

Defensive tackle Sebastian Valdez beat Chargers center Jake Slaughter for what would have been a tackle for loss in a game setting.

Next practice


The 49ers won't hold a full practice again until after the team's preseason game against the Chargers on Thursday night.

Social media: 49ers practice updates


]]> Kirby Lee-Imagn Images 49ers joint practice with Chargers: Quick Hits https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/202444-49ers-joint-practice-chargers-quick/ Tue, 18 Aug 2026 13:06:00 PDT 2026-08-18T13:06:00-07:00 Marc Adams ab2f6de5711c2d6f066b403ff4c30018

Black, White and Robinson return


The 49ers got a few players back in pads. Running back Kaelon Black and defensive lineman Keion White, both dealing with adductor injuries, returned to practice. Wide receiver Demarcus Robinson also returned after missing one practice.

White was limited to only part of the practice, but Black looked particularly good in his return. Matt Barrows of The Athletic noted that Black had "a couple of big runs early" and added that "he doesn't look like someone who's missed the last couple of weeks."

Secondary struggles against Herbert


The 49ers' secondary had a rough day against Justin Herbert and the Chargers' passing attack. Ephesians Prysock and Ji'Ayir Brown were both beaten on deep completions, and Brown had another rough moment when Chargers running back Omarion Hampton ran him over.

Vic Tafur of The Athletic summed up the level of competition pretty well, writing that "Justin Herbert and his receivers were putting on a show against the 49ers defense," adding that it was "a big step up in competition" from last week's practice against Cam Ward and the Tennessee Titans.

Former 49ers safety Donte Whitner certainly noticed. Whitner posted on X through the Grit Code Podcast: "I tried to warn everybody about Raheem Morris and whether he could build a top-10 defense from the ground up. Being the first one to say it doesn't make it hate. Sometimes it just means you saw it first."

Whitner also referenced Brown's comments about the new defense emphasizing "instinctual players," asking: "How are those instincts working against a top-tier QB?"

It's worth remembering that this was one practice against one of the better quarterbacks in football. Still, the secondary clearly has some cleaning up to do.

Purdy-Stribling connection continues


While the defense struggled at times, Brock Purdy looked good against the Chargers. The Purdy-to-De'Zhaun Stribling connection also continues to stand out. Barrows reported that Stribling had "a pair of TDs in the red zone." Stribling has been one of the more intriguing young receivers throughout camp, and his chemistry with Purdy continues to grow.

That could become particularly important, with Mike Evans still trying to catch up. Evans left practice after having his left foot/ankle wrapped and iced. Kyle Shanahan later said Evans left because of quad tightness. Evans has also missed a significant amount of practice, so it could take some time for him to develop the kind of timing with Purdy that the QB already has with Robinson, Deebo Samuel, and now Stribling.

Osa Odighizuwa dominates


It wasn't all bad for the 49ers' defense. Osa Odighizuwa was essentially unblockable during the practice. He was consistently disruptive and gave the Chargers' offensive line problems. Fred Warner also made an impact, forcing a fumble during the session.

So while the secondary had a difficult afternoon, there were some very positive performances up front.

Injury updates


Shanahan provided several updates after practice. He said Nick Bosa and Christian McCaffrey are both coming along well, with McCaffrey potentially returning to practice this week. The coach also said rookie defensive lineman Mykel Williams is a "long shot" to play in Week 1, although he continues to progress well.

The 49ers will also get a chance to see some of their starters in game action soon. Shanahan said several starters will play in Thursday's second preseason game against the Chargers, with Purdy potentially being among them.

There were definitely some concerns coming out of today's practice, particularly with the secondary trying to contain Herbert and the Chargers' receivers. But the 49ers also had several encouraging performances, particularly from Purdy, Stribling, Black, Odighizuwa, and Warner. The 49ers, however, got exactly what they wanted from a joint practice: a difficult test that exposed some things they need to fix before the games start counting.]]> Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images 49ers injury updates: Encouraging news on Christian McCaffrey, Nick Bosa, Mike Evans, others https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/202442-injury-updates-encouraging-christian-mccaffrey/ Tue, 18 Aug 2026 12:45:00 PDT 2026-08-18T12:52:46-07:00 David Bonilla 27bab34bdb3d49aeddc2853ac0a9f691 Christian McCaffrey continues to miss practice as he works through some "tightness."

McCaffrey has not practiced since August 8, leading to unfounded speculation that the running back's absence could also be related to a contract dispute.

"I think people make a lot of assumptions, and that would be one that they're wrong on," Shanahan said.

The 49ers head coach also commented on McCaffrey's potential return timeline.

"I think if it wasn't Christian, and we were in a game week, I think he would play today," Shanahan said.

When asked if McCaffrey's setback was related to his previous calf or Achilles issues, Shanahan responded, "No, just some tightness. He'll get sensitive if I say where."

Nick Bosa injury update


Shanahan also provided an update on defensive end Nick Bosa, who has not practiced since August 3 due to soreness and tendinitis in his surgically repaired knee following his ACL injury.

"He's making a lot of progress," Shanahan said. "He has a lot less irritation, soreness, and tendinitis—whatever you want to call it—than he had last week. So we think he's going in the right direction, and we see him similar to Christian."

49ers wide receiver injury updates


Wide receiver Mike Evans' practice ended early on Tuesday. He exited the field to have his left foot/ankle wrapped and iced. The good news is that Evans was seen shortly afterward observing the remainder of practice, with his foot/ankle no longer wrapped—though his quad had an ice pack on it.

Remember, Evans missed training camp time due to a quad strain.

"They just said he has some tightness, so we were just being smart, taking him out," Shanahan said. "I don't think it's anything worse, so we'll see when we get in there, but nothing that I'm worried about right now."

Shanahan also commented on the status of wide receiver Christian Kirk, who has missed significant time due to a calf strain.

"That's been unfortunate for him because he had the same thing in OTAs, so he missed that," Shanahan said. "And he hasn't been ready to go. He did it the first practice, before we even got to team periods, so I know he's been extremely frustrated with it.

"We love the guy so far, but hopefully, he can have some better luck going forward here so he gets some reps out here."

Mykel Williams a long shot for Week 1


Defensive lineman Mykel Williams continues to work his way back from the ACL injury that shortened his rookie 2025 campaign. While the 49ers aren't dismissing the possibility that he could be ready for the start of the season, they believe a later return timeline is more likely.

"He's further away than those other guys you just asked about, but we do think he's close," Shanahan said. "I do think Week 1 would be a long shot, but we haven't ruled it out yet. But he's progressing very well."]]> Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images 49ers will play 'a number of starters' vs. Chargers, says Kyle Shanahan https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/202439-several-49ers-starters-chargers-shanahan/ Tue, 18 Aug 2026 12:26:00 PDT 2026-08-19T10:22:44-07:00 David Bonilla 34f493ce32e35f933b14cd374e8ba98a
"Not all of them, but I expect a number of starters to play, unlike last week," head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters. "I haven't told them yet, but they'll find out soon. But yeah, you guys will see a number out there."

Shanahan suggested that quarterback Brock Purdy will be among those starters seeing action. When asked if the 49ers' starting quarterback would play, Shanahan replied, "Haven't told him yet, but there's a good chance."

Purdy and the 49ers' starters got an early look at the Chargers on Tuesday during a joint practice at The Bolt in El Segundo, California. The two teams will now meet in Thursday night's preseason matchup at SoFi Stadium.

The 49ers will hold a walk-through on Wednesday that will be closed to the media. The team won't hold another full practice until after Thursday night's exhibition contest, most likely during the upcoming weekend in Santa Clara.]]> Kevin Ng-Imagn Images 49ers vs. Chargers in preseason: How to watch, stream, and listen, plus odds https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/202435-49ers-chargers-preseason-stream-listen/ Tue, 18 Aug 2026 10:38:00 PDT 2026-08-18T10:38:00-07:00 Site Staff c8adafdf88b19f88a54d350f9ad15c90

Previous game


The 49ers are coming off a loss at home to the Tennessee Titans. On offense, QB Adrian Martinez completed 16 of 30 passing attempts for 159 yards, while QB Kurtis Rourke completed 12 of 14 attempts for 101 yards. RB Sincere McCormick registered 10 carries for a team-high 38 yards, and RB Patrick Taylor Jr. added a one-yard rushing touchdown. Rookie WR De'Zhaun Stribling led the passing attack with seven receptions for 63 yards, while WR Jordan Watkins added six receptions for 59 yards.

Defensively, the 49ers registered 3.0 sacks and held the Titans to 112 passing yards. The unit was led by LB Nick Martin, who recorded a team-high eight tackles. LB Tatum Bethune added six tackles and 1.0 sack of Titans QB Will Levis, while DL Ogbo Okoronkwo recorded 1.0 sack. DL James Thompson Jr. and LB Larry Worth III split a sack of Levis.

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?


Thursday, August 20 at 7:00 p.m. PT

Where is the game being played?


SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California

Who are the head coaches?


49ers: Kyle Shanahan
Chargers: Jim Harbaugh

Betting Odds


As of August 18, the Chargers are favored by 1.5 points in this game, with an over/under set at 38.5 points, per BetMGM.

What channel is the game on?


49ers Broadcast
Network: KPIX 5 and CW Bay Area
Play-by-Play: Guy Haberman
Color Analyst: Tim Ryan
Sideline Reporter: Vern Glenn

Chargers Broadcast
Network: CBS Los Angeles
Play-by-Play: Noah Eagle
Color Analyst: Dan Fouts
Sideline Reporter: Jaime Maggio

What areas will receive the broadcast?


The broadcast will be viewable in the Bay Area and the Los Angeles area. NFL Network is also scheduled to air the game nationally.

Where can I stream the game?


NFL+ subscribers can stream the game in its entirety. Additionally, Bay Area fans can stream the game through the official 49ers app.

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 Bob Fitzgerald and Keena Turner will call the game.

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

Chargers Radio
Los Angeles-area fans can listen on KFI AM 640, where Matt "Money" Smith and Daniel Jeremiah 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?


Preseason Matchups: 51
Preseason Series: 49ers lead series 28-23
First Preseason Meeting: 8/3/68, Chargers win, 30-18, at SD
Last Preseason Meeting: 8/23/25, 49ers win, 30-23, at SF
Current Streak: Won 1
Longest 49ers Win Streak: 8 (9/2/10 - 8/31/17)
Longest Chargers Win Streak: 4 (8/15/81 - 8/18/84)
Most 49ers Points: 41 (8/29/13): 49ers win, 41-6, at SD
Most Chargers Points: 35 (8/18/84): Chargers win, 35-15, at SD
49ers Shutouts: None
Chargers Shutouts: None
SD - San Diego, CA; LA - Los Angeles]]> Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images 49ers announce roster moves ahead of joint practice with Chargers https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/202429-49ers-announce-roster-practice-chargers/ Tue, 18 Aug 2026 09:41:00 PDT 2026-08-18T09:41:00-07:00 Site Staff bd329228ec7003425f52621581470ee6 Evan Anderson to a one-year deal. To make room on the roster, the team waived/injured defensive lineman Titus Leo.

The 49ers Communications staff provided the following rundown.


Anderson (6-3, 326) originally entered the NFL after signing with the 49ers as an undrafted free agent on May 6, 2024. Throughout his two-year NFL career with the 49ers (2024-25), he has appeared in 12 games (one start) and registered 24 tackles, 1.0 sack, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. In 2025, he spent time on San Francisco's practice squad before being waived by the team on July 26, 2026.

A 24-year-old native of Orlando, FL, Anderson attended Florida Atlantic University for four seasons (2020-23), where he appeared in 39 games and registered 145 tackles, 20.0 tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks, three fumble recoveries, two passes defensed, and earned Third-Team All-AAC honors in 2023.

Leo (6-3, 245) originally signed with the team on August 2, 2026.]]> Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Jim Harbaugh eager to meet Brock Purdy during 49ers-Chargers joint practice https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/202425-harbaugh-eager-brock-49ers-chargers-practice/ Tue, 18 Aug 2026 09:37:00 PDT 2026-08-18T10:14:11-07:00 David Bonilla c6acdbb97e46393f9d1ec740b24ac4cb
Harbaugh spoke to reporters Tuesday morning ahead of the scheduled joint practice between the 49ers and Chargers in El Segundo, California. The two teams will also meet Thursday night at SoFi Stadium for a preseason game.

Harbaugh made it clear that Purdy is one player he is eager to meet and hopes 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan can facilitate an introduction.

"I want to meet Brock Purdy," Harbaugh said, per Cam Inman of Bay Area News Group. "Hopefully, Kyle introduces him to me."


Harbaugh loves the way Purdy plays the game.

"His timing, his decision-making, his accuracy," the Chargers coach said. "I just like how cool he is, how cool he plays, and all that. Kind of the same way I think of Kyle, the cool stuff he puts on tape. I love his demeanor. I love the toughness of his teams. I love that they're really good at football. Great to be around them."

This will be the second joint practice for the 49ers, who held a session with the Tennessee Titans last week ahead of their preseason matchup.

Purdy is entering his fifth NFL season and has completed 67.9% of his career passes for 11,685 yards, 84 touchdowns, and 37 interceptions. He is 147 pass attempts away from qualifying for the NFL's all-time leaderboard with a career passer rating of 104.0. If he maintains that mark, it would rank first in league history, ahead of Aaron Rodgers and Lamar Jackson (both at 102.2).

While some continue to diminish Purdy's accomplishments, arguing that the quarterback benefits more from Shanahan's offensive scheme and the talented weapons around him than the other way around, Harbaugh clearly has a high level of respect for the 26-year-old quarterback.

Harbaugh's eagerness to meet Purdy during Tuesday's joint practice is another indication that the 49ers quarterback has earned plenty of respect around the NFL.]]> Steven Bisig-Imagn Images Where PFF ranked the 49ers' defensive line heading into the 2026 season https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/202424-ranked-49ers-defensive-heading-season/ Tue, 18 Aug 2026 09:24:23 PDT 2026-08-18T09:24:23-07:00 David Bonilla e85c96cda04a07b0ac316cc8a0faad74
The lack of consistent play in the trenches forced the secondary to remain in coverage against receivers longer and allowed running backs to reach the second level of the defense.

Much of the 49ers' defensive line struggles stemmed from the loss of defensive end Nick Bosa, who played in just three games before suffering a season-ending ACL injury.

Bosa is expected to be ready for the start of the 2026 season, which should provide a significant boost to the unit, assuming he can return to his previous form.

PFF's Gordon McGuinness ranked every NFL defensive line heading into the 2026 season and placed the 49ers' unit at No. 20. He believes the addition of defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa should help improve the pass rush. The veteran has earned at least a 70.2 pass-rush grade in each of the last four seasons, including at least 78.5 in two of the last three.

Still, questions remain, even with Bosa returning.

"A fully healthy Nick Bosa would push this group much closer to the top 10 than the bottom 10," McGuinness wrote, "but he is coming off a season-ending injury and also missed multiple games in 2024."

Much of the 49ers' defensive line improvement will depend on the continued development of several young players, including recent draft selections.

"San Francisco would also benefit significantly from an immediate contribution from rookie Gracen Halton or a second-year leap from Alfred Collins," McGuinness added.

Collins and fellow second-year defensive tackle C.J. West showed flashes of potential in 2025 but ultimately finished as the 49ers' two lowest-graded players that season, each earning a disappointing 35.0 defensive grade from PFF.

The 49ers' No. 20 ranking reflects a defensive line with plenty of uncertainty but also significant upside. A healthy Bosa, the addition of Odighizuwa, and improvement from younger players such as Collins and West could dramatically change the outlook.]]> Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images Brock Purdy gives 49ers a major reason for optimism in 2026 https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/202422-brock-purdy-gives-reason-optimism/ Tue, 18 Aug 2026 09:02:00 PDT 2026-08-18T09:02:00-07:00 David Bonilla 1e0bda5f15bdc50331fd6b408c7e1fc6
Purdy is 147 pass attempts away from having his career passer rating of 104.0 qualify for the NFL's all-time leaderboard, where it would rank first, ahead of Aaron Rodgers and Lamar Jackson.

Gordon McGuinness of Pro Football Focus (PFF) recently identified one reason for optimism for each NFL team, selecting Purdy as the 49ers' reason for optimism.

"Brock Purdy has been in the NFL for four seasons and has earned a PFF passing grade above 75.0 in each of them," McGuinness wrote. "While he is not quite in the league's elite tier at quarterback, we've already seen that his level of play is good enough to lead the 49ers to a Super Bowl."

Purdy was ranked No. 10 in PFF's annual quarterback rankings this year despite his injury-shortened 2025 season. Even so, he remained highly effective when on the field. His 85.4 offensive grade, including the regular season and playoffs, ranked sixth among NFL quarterbacks, while his 65.8 passing grade under pressure ranked third.

The 49ers also added to Purdy's offensive arsenal this offseason, signing veteran wide receivers Mike Evans and Christian Kirk and drafting De'Zhaun Stribling, who has flashed throughout training camp and the preseason.

They join an offense that already features star running back Christian McCaffrey and All-Pro tight end George Kittle.

"Surrounded by this roster and operating in Kyle Shanahan's offense, Purdy gives San Francisco everything it needs to remain a legitimate contender," McGuinness wrote. "Ideally, he'll rediscover the playmaking he showed in 2023, when his 5.5% big-time throw rate set a career high."

For the 49ers, Purdy's health and ability to continue playing at a high level could be among the biggest factors in determining how far the team goes in 2026.]]> David Gonzales-Imagn Images Kurtis Rourke Just Made the 49ers' Roster Math a Lot More Interesting https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/202421-kurtis-rourke-49ers-roster-interesting/ Tue, 18 Aug 2026 08:19:00 PDT 2026-08-18T08:19:54-07:00 Nilesh Kumar af42680dd78786c30a3c67e94c8b7f87
But even in a limited, injury-shortened look, Rourke did enough against the Titans to force a conversation the 49ers probably weren't planning to have this early: what do they do with three quarterbacks they actually like?

A Debut Worth Talking About


Rourke got the start with Brock Purdy and Mac Jones given the night off. It put him in a straight competition with fellow backup Adrian Martinez for reps behind the regulars. He didn't just win that competition -- he made it look easy.

Rourke finished 12-of-14 for 101 yards and added three carries for 14 yards, good for a 96.7 passer rating, before the injury cut his night short on a quarterback draw near the goal line. He extended a scoring drive with a 32-yard sideline strike to wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling, slipped a free blitzer for a scramble that had shades of a certain other 49ers quarterback's improvisational style, and generally looked comfortable directing an offense for the first time since December 2024, when a torn ACL ended his final college season at Indiana.

It was enough to draw a public compliment from star offensive tackle Trent Williams, of all people, mid-broadcast. It was also enough for more than one outlet covering the game to reach for the same comparison: this looked a lot like Brock Purdy's early tape.

That comparison isn't just a lazy narrative hook. There's an actual decision buried underneath it.

The 2022 Parallel


Go back to August 2022. The 49ers had just given Nate Sudfeld a fully guaranteed contract to be their No. 2 quarterback behind starter Trey Lance, with Jimmy Garoppolo eventually being brought back. Purdy, the very last pick in that year's draft, wasn't supposed to be a major part of the conversation. He beat that expectation anyway, and the 49ers found themselves staring at a decision on cutdown day: trust that a seventh-round rookie would clear waivers and land safely on the practice squad, or burn a 53-man roster spot to guarantee they wouldn't lose him.

They chose the second option. Kyle Shanahan later admitted the team had picked up intel that at least two other clubs were ready to submit a waiver claim on Purdy if he was exposed. So San Francisco kept three quarterbacks on the active roster to start that season rather than risk it. The rest of that story doesn't need to be retold here.

Now look at where the 49ers sit heading into the 2026 stretch run of the preseason. Brock Purdy is entrenched as the starter. Mac Jones is locked in as the veteran backup. That's a quarterback room that, on paper, only needs one more arm on the practice squad for camp depth. Except Rourke just gave the coaching staff a real reason to wonder whether he'd survive waivers if they tried to sneak him through.

Why Rourke Isn't a Normal Case


There's a wrinkle that makes Rourke's situation a little different from a typical third-string arm fighting for a practice squad spot: he's technically in Year 2, but Thursday was his first taste of NFL action. Rourke spent his rookie season on the Non-Football Injury list rehabbing that ACL, which meant no practice reps—except when he briefly had his practice window opened—no game reps, nothing but rehab work and meeting rooms.

Roster-wise, he's a second-year player. Developmentally, he's closer to a true rookie who just happened to skip an entire calendar year of on-field NFL experience.

That distinction matters for how the 49ers think about exposure risk. A rookie who flashes in the preseason opener is an obvious trade-deadline-for-other-teams type of watch-list name around the league. A quietly buzzed-about talent who missed his entire first year and is only now putting tape out into the world is arguably an even juicier flier for a quarterback-needy team scanning the waiver wire -- precisely because so few people had eyes on him before Thursday.

If evaluators around the league watched that Titans tape and saw the same thing Williams saw in real time, the 49ers may not be willing to bet that Rourke slides through unclaimed.

The Roster Squeeze


None of this happens in a vacuum. Carrying three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster means carrying one fewer body somewhere else -- along the offensive or defensive line, at a skill position, on special teams. It's exactly the tradeoff Shanahan and John Lynch weighed in 2022, and it's the same tradeoff that resurfaces anytime the quarterback room outperforms its roster spot allotment.

San Francisco has already lived through the alternative version of this problem this past season, when Purdy's injuries forced Martinez into a recurring practice-squad-elevation shuffle just to keep a healthy body on the sideline as the emergency arm -- a workaround that comes with its own rules and limitations under the league's game-day elevation system.

Keeping Rourke on the 53 solves that problem before it starts. It also costs a roster spot the 49ers might want elsewhere on a team that's supposed to be building toward a Super Bowl push, not stashing insurance policies at a position that's currently about as settled as it's been in years.

It's one preseason performance, cut short by injury. But it was against a team that decided to play its starters. Nobody in the building is going to overreact to 26 snaps. But the 49ers have been here before, and they know exactly how it worked out the last time a late-round quarterback made the decision harder than it was supposed to be.

Rourke's rib injury will determine a lot of what happens next -- but the roster question he raised isn't going away just because he's day-to-day.]]> Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images The Bay's New Powerhouses Got Their Moment at Levi's Stadium https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/202420-new-powerhouses-moment-levis-stadium/ Tue, 18 Aug 2026 07:41:00 PDT 2026-08-18T07:42:13-07:00 Nilesh Kumar 2734bc16febe71e5ede700e711552a9c
The occasion was the team's "Football for All" night, an initiative the 49ers started back in 2023 to spotlight the different communities that make up their fan base. This year's edition leaned hard into a storyline that's impossible to ignore if you've followed Bay Area sports lately -- the explosion of women's professional teams calling Northern California home. Representatives from Bay FC, the Golden State Storm, and San Francisco Signal were all on hand, mixing with Gold Rush cheerleaders and the Faithful in the stands.

It's worth pausing to consider how quickly this landscape has changed. Three years ago, none of these teams existed. Now Bay FC is in its third NWSL season, the Storm just wrapped up their first year of women's tackle and flag football, and Signal volleyball is gearing up to debut in LOVB Pro's inaugural season come January 2027. Throw in the Golden State Valkyries -- who couldn't make it to Levi's because they're in the thick of a WNBA playoff race -- and the Bay Area has quietly built one of the deepest women's sports ecosystems in the country, almost overnight.

Before kickoff, three-time Olympic gold medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings got the honor of sounding the stadium's Pregame Fog Horn, flanked by athletes from the Storm and Signal -- a nice symbolic passing of the torch between a generation that broke ground and the one currently building on it.

Hearing It From the Athletes


The most interesting part of the night wasn't the pageantry, though -- it was catching up with three athletes living this shift in real time: Bay FC defender Alyssa Malonson, Signal middle blocker Julia Haggerty, and Storm running back Destanie Yarbrough.

Malonson, who's been with Bay FC since its inaugural 2024 season, put the growth in blunt terms: this isn't the sports landscape she grew up watching. Women's soccer barely registered on the radar when she was a kid, and now she's playing professionally in her own backyard as the sport's visibility climbs by the year.

For Haggerty, the moment carries extra weight. The Lafayette native came up playing club volleyball in the East Bay before starring at Carondelet High School, then went on to Boston College and a pro career overseas in France. Now she's coming home to be part of Signal's first-ever roster -- a homecoming that wouldn't have been possible without a Bay Area team to come home to. She's also seen the ripple effects hit youth levels directly, describing volleyball as one of the fastest-growing sports for young girls in the region right now.

Yarbrough's path is a little different. A four-time WNFC champion and former league MVP, she recently signed with the Storm ahead of the 2027 season after stepping away from football for a stretch. Even after just a week around the organization, she's noticed something distinct about the culture -- a group of women genuinely pulling for each other and trying to push something bigger than themselves forward.

Why It Matters Beyond the Scoreboard


Every one of these athletes circled back to the same theme when asked what the growth means in the future: representation. Haggerty never let herself dream about going pro as a kid because there simply weren't visible pathways in front of her. Malonson hopes today's young fans take advantage of chances to watch women compete at the highest level, something she didn't have much access to growing up. And Yarbrough's message to the next generation was straightforward -- find a mentor, build confidence, and don't stop.

None of this happened by accident. It's the product of leagues investing in new markets, teams building rosters from scratch, and -- nights like this one at Levi's -- bigger organizations using their platform to put a spotlight on it. The 49ers didn't just check a box with "Football for All." They put some of the most important builders of Bay Area women's sports in the same building on the same night, and let their stories do the talking.

The Niners handled their business against Tennessee. But the bigger win for the Bay Area might have happened in the stands.]]> Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images