49ers work out 7 players, including 3 QBs, ahead of Buccaneers game
“Notably, three of those players were quarterbacks as the team evaluates depth options heading into Week 6 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.”
Kyle Shanahan shares final updates ahead of 49ers-Buccaneers Week 6 matchup
“San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke to reporters following Friday’s practice, providing final updates ahead of the team’s Week 6 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Here’s everything he said.”
49ers vs. Buccaneers final injury report: Purdy, Pearsall ruled out for Sunday; Jones, Jennings questionable
“Backup quarterback Mac Jones, expected to start on Sunday, has been managing knee and oblique injuries. He is officially listed as questionable to play. Jones saw limited action in practice on Wednesday and Thursday but was observed throwing on Friday, signaling progress ahead of the Week 6 matchup.”
Five 49ers to keep an eye on in pivotal Week 6 road game vs. Buccaneers
After an outstanding rookie season, 49ers right guard Dominick Puni has not been nearly as effective through the first five games.
He will face his biggest challenge on Sunday against 347-pound defensive tackle Vita Vea.
Vea is a two-time Pro Bowl selection who is a force as a run-stuffer on the interior. His presence alone will make it difficult for the 49ers to get their run game going against Todd Bowles’ defense.“
49ers vs. Bucs: The Standard’s 5 fast predictions (paywall)
“The later start means that it’ll be dark for the finish of this game. With humid, 85-degree weather in the forecast for Sunday in Tampa, that’s a big deal. The Bucs elected to wear their road white jerseys to mitigate the heat; that’s forced the 49ers into their first game of the season wearing their home reds. This promises to be a close game, so a cooler finish might loom very significant.”
Kyle Shanahan and Robert Saleh are bringing the best out of each other — and the 49ers (paywall)
“Saleh likes to say that “offenses are always chasing space” on the field, especially when the 49ers are getting in and out of their zone coverages. Shanahan helps him see possible trouble spots on defense, and Saleh offers suggestions on how opposing defenses can be exploited.
“For Saleh, it’s great having a tool like Kyle,” Warner said. “He can be like, ‘Hey, so what do you see from our defense? How are people probably trying to attack us? And how do we make adjustments?’”
The two highly competitive coaches did clash once, during Saleh’s first stint with the 49ers, when he would question Shanahan maybe a little too enthusiastically in meetings.
“Kyle accused me to (general manager) John Lynch of being insubordinate, just defiant,” Saleh said in “The Why Is Everything,” Michael Silver’s 2024 book. “I was like, ‘I’m not.’ Kyle just challenges you, but I’m not just going to do something without being very confident in knowing everything. That’s just the way I’m wired.”
They’re older and wiser now, and Saleh speaks glowingly of Shanahan.
“He is as good as anybody there is in terms of football and understanding the big picture and understanding all three phases, while also having empathy for the players and the positions that we as coaches put them in,” Saleh said.
Shanahan pointed to Saleh’s time as a head coach.
“Maybe he’s more understanding now,” Shanahan said, smiling. “It’s awesome having him back. And the players love him as well.”
49ers-Buccaneers Nuggets: Baaaaaker
“It feels like Tampa wants to run a power run game with Rachaad White and get him the ball as a receiver in space. They can move you around on the ground, but Charlie Heck (former Niner) might have some issues in pass protection. They want to find Cade Otton and Emeka Egbuka, and they’ll have to. I wonder how much Robert Saleh brackets Egbuka this week and just demands everyone else to beat his defense.”
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