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San Francisco 49ers News & Rumors

49ers DE Nick Bosa Suffers Knee Injury

September 22nd, 2025 at 8:58am CST by Adam La Rose

The 49ers earned a win on Sunday but their defense suffered a notable blow in the process. Defensive end Nick Bosa went down with a knee injury during the contest and did not return.

At this point, a clear diagnosis is not in place. The initial fear was an ACL tear, although head coach Kyle Shanahan said (via Matt Barrows of The Athletic) that has been ruled out. Further testing will take place on Monday.

“We can’t rule everything out,” Shanahan added (via Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News). “They checked [Bosa’s] ACL and it was good with that. But we have to check on everything.”

That is an encouraging first sign, although Shanahan later clarified an ACL injury other than a tear could still be possible (h/t ESPN’s Nick Wagoner). A serious injury affecting Bosa’s knee would of course be crippling to San Francisco’s defense, a unit which currently ranks third in the NFL in points allowed and fourth for yards surrendered. It would also mark the second time Bosa, 27, has been forced to miss considerable time in a season.

The former Defensive Rookie of the Year was limited to just two games during his second NFL campaign. Bosa managed to remain healthy (largely speaking) since then, however, playing between 14 and 17 games over each of the past four years. The five-time Pro Bowler saw a downturn in production with nine sacks in 2024, but he has already posted two in the early stages of the current campaign.

Adding to that total would help allow for the 49ers’ defense to remain among the league’s best. Without Bosa – who is attached to a $34MM-per-year extension – for a long period, though, San Francisco’s 3-0 start to the campaign would be undone to an extent. Further clarity once follow-up tests take place will be worth watching for during the day.

Minor NFL Transactions: 9/20/25

September 20th, 2025 at 6:45pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are today’s minor moves and Week 3’s standard gameday practice squad elevations:

Arizona Cardinals

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Jacksonville Jaguars

Kansas City Chiefs

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  • Elevated: T Tyler McLellan

Washington Commanders

There were some eyes on whether or not the Browns would add a kicker for the weekend after Andre Szmyt needed to undergo some MRI testing, but no such moves were made and Szmyt heads into the weekend without an injury designation. The team did report a workout with veteran kicker Matthew Wright, though, per Howard Balzer of CardsWire.

The 49ers will lose some additional offensive line depth as they place their intended swing tackle, Burford, on injured reserve. Additionally, with Martinez not getting signed to the active roster, it appears that injured starter Brock Purdy will not be active as an emergency option, as was rumored a bit yesterday. Purdy should be inactive as a result.

Herbig announced his retirement at the end of July after spending a good portion of the offseason with the Commanders. The 27-year-old was coming off a 2024 season in which he missed the entirety of the year with a shoulder injury. Washington’s release of Herbig from the reserve/retired list gives him an opportunity to sign with a new team as a free agent. There’s no guarantee that he’s headed anywhere specific, but he likely initiated the transaction in order to explore his options.

Mac Jones To Start Week 3; Brock Purdy Potentially Available In Case Of Emergency

September 19th, 2025 at 7:41pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Brock Purdy‘s return to practice this week inspired some hope that he could suit up for the 49ers in Week 3, but head coach Kyle Shanahan said (via Matt Barrows of The Athletic) that it is “highly unlikely” he starts on Sunday. Instead, it will be Mac Jones under center in San Francisco against the Cardinals.

Purdy missed Week 2 due to injuries to his toe and shoulder. The shoulder issue no longer seems to be preventing him from playing, but the fourth-year quarterback practiced in a limited capacity for the last three days as the toe continued to ail him. His comments on Thursday suggested that he could be a game-time decision, depending on how he feels on Sunday.

Instead, it appears that decision will be made on Saturday, when the team is required to make roster decisions like inactives and practice squad elevations. Shanahan indicated that Purdy could still be active as the team’s second- or third-string quarterback, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Pelissero’s partner at NFL Network, Ian Rapoport, expanded on that topic, explaining that, while a QB2 role may be a possibility, a QB3 role as a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency option makes far more sense.

If it’s determined tomorrow that Purdy can’t go or that he can only suit up as an emergency quarterback, practice squad passer Adrian Martinez will, once again, be called on to back up Jones. How they do that will be determined by Purdy’s situation. If Purdy is unable to suit up, Martinez would simply need to be designated a standard gameday practice squad elevation as he was last week. If Purdy suits up with the intention to serve in an emergency role, Martinez would need to be signed to the 53-man roster, since emergency third quarterbacks need to be on the active roster.

In other injury news, two rookies were injured in practice yesterday, per Barrows. While seventh-round guard Connor Colby is only listed as questionable with a groin injury, fourth-round wide receiver Jordan Watkins is reportedly a candidate for injured reserve with a calf injury.

Ely Allen contributed to this post.

49ers S Ji’Ayir Brown Addresses Role Change, Potential Trade

September 19th, 2025 at 11:12am CST by Adam La Rose

Over the course of his first two seasons in the NFL, Ji’Ayir Brown totaled 18 starts at safety. This year has brought about a shift in role and workload, however.

The 49ers have relied on free agent addition Jason Pinnock and fifth-round rookie Marques Sigle as starters at the safety spot so far. That has left Brown in the ‘big nickel’ role as a hybrid linebacker when on the field. That has proven to be a rare occurrence, though; Brown has logged just nine defensive snaps through two weeks. The demotion to a part-time role was one of the subjects of a recent conversation he had with Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle.

“It’s going to make sense one day,” Brown said when speaking about his position change (one which he views as only a temporary shift). “I’ve been around the game and I have a lot of respect from a lot of safeties around the game. That’s me saying my personal opinion that I’m top five in this league.”

Taken in the third round of the 2023 draft, Brown represented the 49ers’ top selection that year. The Penn State product emerged as a key figure in the secondary during his rookie season, one which included an interception in the team’s eventual Super Bowl loss. Brown logged a full campaign last year, but he played through an ankle injury for much of the season and saw a downturn in performance and PFF evaluation. Now healthy, he finds himself in a backup capacity.

Malik Mustapha is currently rehabbing the ACL tear he suffered during Week 18 last year. As expected, he has yet to be cleared for a return to action. Especially once that takes place, though, the 49ers will have a logjam in place at the safety position. Despite the fact Brown is attached to his rookie contract through 2026, the possibility of a departure via trade was raised as a result.

“I would definitely love to be here, career-wise, for the rest of my career,” Brown said. “But we all know this is a business. And I’m willing to adapt to whatever comes my way… I will be back at safety, eventually, whether it’s here or whether it’s wherever.”

No indications have emerged that a trade is being considered on the part of the 49ers, or that interest has been generated from potential suitors. Still, a move is something Brown would be open to based on his remarks. It will be interesting to see if a return to starting duties takes place or if his lessened workload continues through the remainder of the season.

WR Mohamed Sanu Retires

September 19th, 2025 at 8:54am CST by Adam La Rose

Mohamed Sanu‘s playing days have officially come to an end. The veteran receiver announced on Friday that he has retired.

“After 10+ years in the NFL, my playing chapter is closing,” Sanu wrote on X. “Grateful for every coach, teammate & fan. Excited to give back through coaching & share the game in a new way with the Facts Over Stats podcast. The Journey continues.”

Sanu last played a regular season game in 2021, and he very briefly spent time with the Dolphins the following summer. Given the time which has elapsed since, today’s announcement is certainly an unexpected one. Nevertheless, it marks an end to the 36-year-old’s career as a player.

Selected in third round of the 2012 draft, Sanu played out his rookie contract with the Bengals. He established himself as a starting-caliber receiver during that period, something which remained the case during his Falcons tenure (2016-19). In the 2018 campaign, Sanu set a new personal mark with 838 receiving yards; that season also marked the only time one of his eight career pass attempts (four of which resulted in a touchdown) fell incomplete.

After a midseason trade saw him finish the year with the Patriots, the Rutgers product split his time between the 49ers and Lions the following campaign. Sanu saw a downturn in usage and production during that span, and he remained a part-time contributor upon returning to San Francisco for 2021. After being released by the Dolphins in August of 2022, no known visits took place and no further playing opportunities presented themselves.

Multiple years removed from his final playing action in the NFL, Sanu will now officially turn his attention to other pursuits. In all, he played 145 combined regular and postseason games and amassed nearly $32MM in career earnings.

49ers QB Brock Purdy Could Play In Week 3

September 18th, 2025 at 10:49pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Wednesday that quarterback Brock Purdy has a chance to play in Week 3, according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle.

Purdy was sidelined in Week 2 by a shoulder injury and a case of turf toe. In his absence, backup Mac Jones didn’t just answer the bell; he put up one of the best games of his career with 279 passing yards and three touchdowns on the way to a 26-21 victory over the Saints.

Though Jones impressed under center, the 49ers will still be hoping that Purdy can be back on the field as soon as possible. After missing practice entirely last week, he was a limited participant on Wednesday and Thursday, an indicator that he’s trending in the right direction.

“I’m happy with the progress I’m making with my foot and my toe,” Purdy said after Thursday’s practice (via Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group). “It’s a day to day thing with how I feel.”

Asked if he would play on Sunday, Purdy responded (via Inman), “Definitely got to see come game time how I feel. Obviously I want to play every game.” He also said that he was “trying to be smart with [his] body,” but noted the importance of the 49ers’ divisional matchup with the Cardinals on Sunday.

Based on his comments, Purdy’s availability may come down to a game-time decision, potentially dependent on how he feels during his pregame warmup. Even if he can’t go, Jones’ performance in Week 2 should give the 49ers some confidence that they can still take the lead in the NFC West this weekend.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/17/25

September 17th, 2025 at 7:14pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s midweek practice squad moves:

Dallas Cowboys

Houston Texans

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

49ers To Place G Ben Bartch On IR

September 17th, 2025 at 2:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

Post-Laken Tomlinson, the 49ers have prioritized the edges of their offensive line. Trent Williams has stood as a $20MM-per-year blocker since 2021, and the team gave Colton McKivitz another extension after he had replaced top-10 investment Mike McGlinchey at right tackle. That has meant turnover among low-cost players inside. Ben Bartch is part of the latest wave, but he has not made it far in his first season as a full-time San Francisco starter.

Entering the season as the 49ers’ Aaron Banks replacement at left guard, Bartch did not make it out of Week 2. The former Jaguar suffered a high ankle sprain against the Saints, and Kyle Shanahan said he would miss extensive time. That will come to fruition, with the 49ers placing Bartch on IR today, per the San Francisco Chronicle’s Noah Furtado.

This injury is expected to sideline Bartch between four and six weeks, according to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco. The team will use IR as a result. The 49ers have seven injury activations remaining, having used one of their August IR-return designations on defensive tackle Kevin Givens. While Givens already counts toward that eight-activation total due to a summer designation being used, Bartch will not count toward that number until he is brought back to the 53-man roster.

Tied to a one-year, $1.34MM contract, Bartch beat out Nick Zakelj for the 49ers’ LG job in Week 1. However, seventh-round rookie Connor Colby replaced Bartch when he went down in New Orleans. He will start in Week 3, per The Athletic’s Matt Barrows. Zakelj did not make San Francisco’s 53-man roster but remains on the practice squad. While the young blocker remains an option to provide insurance, the 49ers did not sign him to the active roster in a corresponding move. Tight end Brayden Willis will take Bartch’s place instead.

Colby only arrived as the No. 249 overall pick, but he worked as a four-year starter at Iowa. Blocking for the likes of Kaleb Johnson and Tyler Goodson with the Hawkeyes, Colby earned first-team All-Big Ten acclaim in 2024 and third-team recognition in 2023. Colby made 50 starts at Iowa, providing interesting appeal for a seventh-round pick as a fill-in option. Colby will work opposite 2024 third-round pick Dominick Puni, and it will be worth monitoring if Bartch will return as a starter or a swingman.

A 2020 Jaguars fourth-round pick, Bartch has been in the 49ers’ system since being added shortly after the 2023 trade deadline. Bartch has made 24 career starts, including two last season with the 49ers, but will see his first run as a full-timer since 2022 paused for a while.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/15/25

September 15th, 2025 at 7:52pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s practice squad moves:

San Francisco 49ers

Tennessee Titans

  • Signed: OT Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson, TE Joel Wilson
  • Released: TE Drake Dabney

The 49ers brought back a familiar face in Robert Beal Jr.. The 26-year-old has appeared in 18 career games with San Francisco, compiling 22 tackles and one sack. The majority of that playing time came last year, when he got into 14 contests. Beal made the initial 53-man roster this season before getting waived last week. The 49ers already had an open spot on their taxi squad after linebacker Curtis Robinson was signed to the active roster the other day.

Mac Jones Rejected Better Offers To Join 49ers; Brock Purdy Unlikely To Return In Week 3

September 14th, 2025 at 11:52am CST by Sam Robinson

One of the more fascinating QB debuts with a team in recent memory will take place today, with Mac Jones starting for a 49ers team that strongly considered drafting him four years ago. Jones circling back to the 49ers this offseason did not receive tremendous attention, given Brock Purdy‘s unquestioned QB1 status, but it is now quite relevant due to the starter’s injuries.

With Purdy sidelined due to a shoulder injury and a bout with turf toe, Jones is stepping in. Jones joined the 49ers on a two-year, $7MM deal that included $4.75MM guaranteed at signing. This was not believed to be the former first-rounder’s top offer, with The Athletic’s Dianna Russini noting the ex-Patriots and Jaguars passer rejected bigger offers to sign with the Niners.

Jones’ market did not produce connections to other teams before his March 12 San Francisco commitment, but he will follow the Sam Darnold reset path as Purdy’s backup. Darnold played out the 2023 season as the 49ers’ QB2, and the $4.5MM contract worked as a springboard to better opportunities. Jones produced a better pre-San Francisco season than anything Darnold offered, via the 2021 Offensive Rookie of the Year runner-up campaign that led New England to the playoffs, though his steep freefall since that point differs from Darnold’s early-career path.

The Jags acquired Jones from the Pats for just a sixth-round pick and needed him for seven 2024 starts due to Trevor Lawrence injuries. Not particularly impressive (8:8 TD-INT ratio, 6.4 yards per attempt) with a 4-13 team, Jones still commanded the 49ers’ attention. Considering the franchise’s interest in the former national championship-winning Alabama arm four years ago, it was unsurprising to see Kyle Shanahan revisit him via free agency.

Plenty has come out about Shanahan’s Jones interest in 2021, and Russini reaffirms the 49ers’ blockbuster trade-up move (via the Dolphins) came with Jones in mind. Shanahan has said the 49ers were considering Jones and Trey Lance that year; the 49ers’ John Lynch– and Adam Peters-led front office has long been believed to have talked Shanahan out of Jones at No. 3 due to the better value (at the time, at least) Lance brought. Lance never proved a fit in Shanahan’s offense and was sent to Dallas for a fourth-round pick months after the 49ers signed Darnold.

Considering Shanahan’s success with Purdy and Jimmy Garoppolo in San Francisco (and other QBs during his OC stops), it is fairly safe to assume Jones would have been better served by being a 49ers draftee rather than going 15th to the Patriots. Bill Belichick‘s penultimate year as Pats HC involved a bizarre move to install Matt Patricia as the primary offensive play-caller, and Jones — whose Belichick relationship was not exactly strong — could not recapture his rookie-year form under Bill O’Brien in 2023. Jones ended that season on the bench, as the Patriots closed out the Belichick era with Bailey Zappe at the controls.

The 49ers’ trade without a consensus on where to go at No. 3 was always a bit odd, even if the Lawrence-Zach Wilson order atop the draft was well known by the time the team pulled the trigger on a deal that sent two first-rounders and a third to Miami. Jones, 27, now has a chance to craft a midcareer resurgence of sorts. It will be interesting to see how Jones looks given the downward trajectory his career has taken since a promising rookie slate. The 49ers not having George Kittle available will hurt the fifth-year QB’s cause, but the team will have Jauan Jennings after the wideout was questionable with a shoulder injury.

Purdy is not viewed as likely to suit up in Week 3 against the Cardinals, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, even though the recently extended passer “progressed a lot” this week. Indeed, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport adds the 49ers believe the turf toe injury Purdy is battling is not as significant as first thought. This puts Week 4 (against the Jaguars) in play for a Purdy return. Though, the two- to five-week timetable initially given to the fourth-year starter could certainly point to caution on the 49ers’ part.

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