The Athletic's Matt Barrows expects to see "plenty of rotation" in the 49ers' backfield this season. That wasn't the case last year, when RB Elijah Mitchell dominated carries whenever he was healthy. But Barrows believes "the 49ers are hesitant to give Mitchell or any of the running backs too great a load this season" after Mitchell dealt with a variety of injuries in 2021. Barrows expects rookie RB Ty Davis-Price to be part of San Francisco's RB rotation. Trey Sermon, Jeff Wilson and JaMycal Hasty are also on the roster.
49ers TE George Kittle -- along with LB Fred Warner -- is sitting out OTAs with what HC Kyle Shanahan called a "lower-half" issue. "Both have similar issues, so we’re being smart with them," Shanahan said. "Could go. Being smart. Good chance we’ll hold them out until training camp. ... They’ll be alright." It doesn't sound like this is something that'll impact Kittle's 2022 season, but we'll keep an eye on him when the 49ers open training camp.
49ers RB Elijah Mitchell is looking to play this season at 215 pounds -- up about 15 pounds from last season. The added weight is aimed at keeping Mitchell healthier after he dealt with knee, rib, concussion and shoulder issues as a rookie last year. We've seen plenty of RBs lose burst and speed after packing on pounds, though, so Mitchell will be worth watching closely this summer.
Per beat writer Joseph Person, the Carolina coaching staff has “kicked around the idea” of giving Christian McCaffrey more slot snaps. During his injury-riddled 2021, McCaffrey played only 12 snaps out of the slot (4.6%). So there’s room for a bit more work inside. Regardless of where he lines up, however, the former All-Pro will remain busy as a pass-catcher. Current projections peg McCaffrey for over 100 targets.
The 49ers selected EDGE Drake Jackson late in Round 2 of the NFL Draft. Jackson brings decent size, at 6'3 and 273 pounds. He didn't run during pre-draft testing after a late-season injury, but Jackson doesn't look particularly speedy on tape. He enjoyed his best statistical season as a freshman, tallying 46 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and 3 pass deflections. He didn't reach 10 TFLs either of the ensuring 2 campaigns, though. Jackson doesn't look like a high-upside IDP prospect from here.
49ers RB Elijah Mitchell had what he called a "clean-up" procedure on his knee this offseason. He added that he expects to be ready for the start of training camp. Mitchell missed 3 games in December with what was described as knee swelling -- although it's unclear if this surgery was related. We'll keep an eye on Mitchell this summer. He escaped free agency without the 'Niners adding backfield competition. We'll see what the draft brings.
Referencing a conversation with 49er Deebo Samuel, NFL insider Jeff Darlington said the star WR has requested a trade. Samuel didn’t reveal any specific reason, but we get the message. If he does in fact leave San Francisco, the 49ers would be left with guys like Jauan Jennings, KeeSean Johnson and Ray-Ray McCloud behind Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle. Currently, the 49ers don't pick until 61st overall in this month's draft, although they do have a pair of 3rd-rounders. As for Deebo, any suitor will need to pay him top dollar, as the 26-year-old is entering a contract year. Stay tuned.
UPDATE: NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that Deebo is frustrated over his RB usage. Rapoport added that Deebo hasn't "engaged" with the 49ers, despite the team's attempts to make him a lucrative long-term deal.
ESPN's Adam Schefter suggested that WR Deebo Samuel wants out of San Francisco. We reported on Tuesday that Samuel was skipping the team's offseason program as he seeks a new contract. But Schefter believes that Samuel isn't interested in getting that new deal from the 49ers. “San Francisco would pay Deebo Samuel today, tomorrow, the next day. It’s not hard to figure out what the contract would look like,” Schefter said on ESPN's NFL Live. “We’ve seen some of the top numbers in the league. This, I think right now, is Deebo Samuel not wanting to get a deal done. It’s not San Francisco not willing to do the deal, the 49ers are ready. Deebo Samuel is the one who has put a halt to everything for right now.” It's unclear what's caused this rift -- especially since Samuel is coming off a career-best season. We'll see where the situation goes from here. Samuel is overvalued in early best-ball drafts, although a move out of run-heavy San Francisco might actually help his fantasy stock.
ESPN's Adam Schefter hears that WRs Deebo Samuel, A.J. Brown and Terry McLaurin are not expected to participate in on-field work in their teams' offseason programs as they look for new contracts. McLaurin at least plans to report for the start of the workouts, per Schefter. All 3 guys have 1 year remaining on their rookie contracts and are looking to get paid after seeing Davante Adams, Tyreek Hill and Stefon Diggs get big deals this offseason. We'll certainly keep a close eye on these situations -- but we're not moving Samuel, Brown or McLaurin in our 2022 WR rankings right now.
The 49ers have agreed to a 3-year, $40.5 million deal with CB Charvarius Ward. He spent the past 3 seasons starting for the Chiefs but totaled just 4 INTs over that span. He has been a solid tackle collector for IDP squads and will remain worth consideration for CB-required formats.
The Packers have agreed to a 5-year deal with LB De'Vondre Campbell worth $50 million, according to Bill Huber of SI.com. Campbell landed in Green Bay last offseason, after Arizona released him, and spent all of 2021 as a full-timer. He should remain a solid-to-strong IDP option for 2022 fantasy football -- though there's a chance he goes over-drafted.
49ers HC Kyle Shanahan expects WR Deebo Samuel’s hybrid role to remain in place next season. “This way you can make sure he gets touches,” Shanahan said via The Athletic. “You can do that at receiver, but not when you can just hand the ball to a guy. So we’ve always got to keep that threat. That’s what separates him. Deebo knows that, too.” 2022 is a contract year for Deebo, but GM John Lynch is already talking extension with the 26-year-old’s reps. “Yes, there are some interesting dynamics with Deebo playing multiple positions, but the bottom line is he’s an excellent football player,” Lynch said. “I’m sure that we’ll find a way to get that [deal] done.” Samuel finished 3rd in PPR scoring behind only Cooper Kupp and Davante Adams.
49ers WR Deebo Samuel is not listed on the injury report for Sunday's NFC Championship. He hobbled off the field late in last weekend's win over the Packers but will be ready to play vs. the Rams.
49ers WR Deebo Samuel hobbled off the field after his final touch in Saturday night's win over the Packers, but it sounds like he'll be fine for the NFC Championship. “Deebo took a helmet to the side of his knee/leg on that last play, so he’s sore today, but we expect to see him on the practice field this week," HC Kyle Shanahan said Monday. We'll track Samuel's practice participation this week.
The Panthers named Ben McAdoo their new OC. McAdoo flamed out after just 2 seasons as the Giants' HC. But that proceeded 2 mostly successful seasons as OC. New York finished top 13 in points, total yards and passing yards in both of those years. McAdoo was a balanced play caller, with the G-Men ranking 17th and 16th in situation-neutral pass rate in 2014 and 2015, respectively. He takes over a Panthers offense that has enough talent at the skill positions but needs to find a QB.
The 49ers announced Friday that DE Nick Bosa has cleared the concussion protocol and carries no injury status into Sunday’s game against the Buccaneers
San Francisco 49ers DE Nick Bosa is officially questionable for Saturday night's game against the Packers after suffering a concussion in the Wild Card win at Dallas. HC Kyle Shanahan said Thursday, though, that Bosa's chances of playing are "looking good," according to ESPN's Nick Wagoner. LB Fred Warner, meanwhile, carries no injury status into Saturday's game after hurting an ankle against the Cowboys.
The 49ers lost DE Nick Bosa to a concussion in the 1st half of Sunday's win over the Cowboys. We'll see whether he can make it back in time for the Divisional-Round matchup with Green Bay.
Niners LBs Azeez Al-Shaair (knee) and Marcell Harris (Achilles') are inactive for today's game against the Rams. S Jaquiski Tartt (shoulder) and LB Dre Greenlaw (groin) are active after arriving questionable.
Packers LB De'Vondre Campbell is inactive for today's game against the Lions. It's not surprising after Campbell carried a questionable tag into a game that's meaningless or Green Bay. Expect Krys Barnes and Oren Burks to work as the top 2 non-edge LBs against Detroit.
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