San Francisco 49ers News

Heading into 2025, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was a popular pick to have a breakout season. However, the former first-round pick battled through a knee injury and recorded just 36 receptions for 528 yards and zero touchdowns on 53 targets across nine games played. Availability has been a consistent issue for Pearsall so far in his NFL career, as he's played in just 20 games across his first two seasons. Even when on the field, the 25-year-old has not yet emerged as a featured option in the San Francisco passing game. He's logged just 99 targets in his career, an average of fewer than five per contest. However, Pearsall will likely have an opportunity for a larger role with the 49ers in 2026. Star San Francisco tight end George Kittle (Achilles) suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the team's NFC Wild Card Round win over the Philadelphia Eagles and will likely miss time in 2026 as a result. Additionally, 49ers wideout Jauan Jennings is set to hit unrestricted free agency in mid-March after leading the team's wide receiver corps in targets in 2025. Fully buying in on Pearsall remains difficult until he proves the ability to stay healthy for an extended stretch. Still, he appears to have a clear pathway to a lead role in the San Francisco passing game in 2026.

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said on Wednesday that defensive end Nick Bosa (knee) is expected to return from his ACL injury around the start of training camp, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. Bosa tore the ACL in his right knee back on Sept. 21 (Week 3), so he should have a chance to be ready for the start of the 2026 regular season this fall, depending on how he does in his recovery. First-round defensive lineman Mykel Williams (knee) is also expected to be ready to return around training camp. It would be great news for the 49ers' defense if both Bosa and Williams are ready for Week 1, considering how banged up the team's defense was in 2025. Bosa was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2022, when he had a league-high 18.5 sacks, but durability issues make him a risk/reward pass-rusher in IDP fantasy formats.

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that tight end Jake Tonges (foot) suffered a plantar-fascia injury in the Divisional Round loss to the Seattle Seahawks last week and will need three weeks to recover, according to Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group. Before his injury on Saturday, Tonges caught five of his six targets for 59 yards, with George Kittle suffering a season-ending torn Achilles the week prior in the Wild-Card win over the Philadelphia Eagles. The 26-year-old saw an expanded role during the regular season, too, with Kittle missing time with injuries, and he finished with career highs across the board in catches (34), targets (46), receiving yards (293), and touchdowns (five) in 17 regular-season contests. Tonges should be fully healthy for next season, and he should be back in the Bay Area as a restricted free agent.

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch had nothing but good things to say about wide receiver Jauan Jennings, and the team is interested in re-signing him after he becomes an unrestricted free agent in March. "Always plays with passion we can count on. We can move him around the way he blocks. He plays the right way. It frustrated other people. We'd love to have him back. We'll work to get that accomplished," Lynch said. Jennings caught just two passes for 23 yards in the Divisional Round loss to the Seattle Seahawks and didn't score in any of his final three games, but he was a big contributor in the regular season, especially when tight end George Kittle and receiver Ricky Pearsall missed time with injuries. The 28-year-old caught 55 of 90 targets for 643 yards and a career-high nine TDs in 15 regular-season games. If Jennings returns in 2026, he'll be a trusted target for quarterback Brock Purdy.

Both San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch seem intent on keeping quarterback Mac Jones around going into next season as the backup for Brock Purdy, according to Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group. "We're not into getting rid of good players. I'd be surprised if he's not here next year," Shanahan said. "Mac made this place better and picked us up in a huge way ... Can't say enough about his play but also his leadership," Lynch said. The 27-year-old kept the 49ers afloat in 2025 with Purdy missing a chunk of time due to a turf-toe injury. He was in the first year of a two-year, $8.4 million contract, and all signs point to Jones returning in 2026 as one of the better backup QBs in the league. As a starter for the Niners this year, Jones went 5-3 while completing 69.6% of his passes for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns, and six interceptions.

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said on Wednesday that "it's safe to say" that wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee), who missed the entire 2025 season, has "played his last snap as a Niner," according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. The 27-year-old has been trying to get the 49ers to release him for a while, and it was essentially a done deal when the team voided guarantees in his contract. An official transaction releasing Aiyuk will probably come in the weeks following the Super Bowl. The former 25th overall pick in 2020 out of Arizona State had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2022 and 2023 before signing an extension with the team before the 2024 campaign. Aiyuk wasn't living up to expectations that year before tearing his ACL and MCL in Week 7. In addition to concerns about whether he can return to his pre-injury form, Aiyuk's fantasy value going forward will depend largely on where he ends up.

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) said on Monday that he expects to return from his torn Achilles "well before November" while also saying he could play close to the 2026 regular-season opener, according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. Kittle tore his Achilles tendon in the Wild-Card win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Jan. 11 and had successful surgery last week. Kittle's Achilles tear was a best-case scenario because he suffered a "clean tear." "They didn't have to drill into my heel," Kittle said. "And where the repair was, there's more blood flow. And so it takes some time off the recovery time." The 32-year-old only played in 11 regular-season games due to injuries in 2025, although he was the TE3 in half-PPR fantasy points per game (12.1), catching 57 passes for 628 yards and seven TDs. While Kittle is optimistic about his recovery, fantasy managers should expect him to miss potentially half the 2026 season.

San Francisco 49ers defensive end Mykel Williams (knee), who tore his ACL and lateral meniscus in his right knee on Nov. 2, said on Monday that he "should" be back in time for the start of training camp at the end of July, according to The Athletic's Matt Barrows. Williams, a first-rounder in 2025, said he's been leaning on advice from position mate Nick Bosa (knee), who tore his ACL six weeks before Williams did. The 21-year-old Williams missed the final 10 games of his first season in the NFL. Before his season-ending knee injury, Williams only had 20 tackles (11 solo), one sack, and a fumble recovery in nine games played. Getting both Williams and Bosa back healthy for the 2026 season will be big as the Niners look to bounce back from a health perspective on both sides of the football.

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner (ankle) is optimistic about his recovery from a fractured and dislocated ankle and was confident that he would have been able to play in Sunday's NFC Championship game had the 49ers beaten the Seattle Seahawks in the Divisional Round last weekend, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. "Which gives me the ultimate confidence going forward into the offseason, to just attack things as hard as I can," Warner said. "Because there are no limitations." Warner didn't need any follow-up surgeries for the ankle he injured on Oct. 12, so barring any setbacks, he should be all systems go for the start of the 2026 campaign this fall. The 29-year-old had 51 total tackles, three pass breakups, and two forced fumbles on 329 defensive snaps this year before his injury. Warner will be a high-end linebacker target in IDP fantasy leagues once he's fully recovered.

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (shoulder) exited with a stinger during the third quarter of Saturday's Divisional Round contest against the Seattle Seahawks. He was briefly listed as questionable to return, but he checked back into the game midway through the third quarter. The superstar running back took multiple hits throughout the first 30-plus minutes of game action, and he was seeing testing his injury on the sideline. At the time of his initial departure, McCaffrey had totaled nine carries, 29 rushing yards, five catches, and 39 receiving yards. Bad injury news has plagued the 49ers left and right. In addition to various defensive injuries throughout the regular season, San Francisco lost George Kittle (Achilles) last week, and Jake Tonges (foot) is currently listed as questionable to return against Seattle. For the time being, McCaffrey will try to play through his injury with the 49ers' season on the line. However, we wouldn't be surprised to see No. 2 running back Brian Robinson Jr. earn more snaps while McCaffrey manages his injury.

San Francisco 49ers tight end Jake Tonges (foot) exited during the third quarter of Saturday's Divisional Round contest against the Seattle Seahawks. He is officially listed as questionable to return. Tonges suffered the injury following an incomplete pass, and he was seen trying to test his foot on the sideline. At the time of his departure, he had caught five of six targets for 59 yards. The 26-year-old earned the start at tight end after George Kittle (Achilles) was ruled out for the remainder of the playoffs. Throughout the seven games that Kittle has missed between the regular season and playoffs, Tonges has amassed 34 catches, 328 yards, and three touchdowns. It goes without saying that losing both Kittle and Tonges is terrible news for the Niners, who are trying to come back from a three-possession deficit in Seattle. Luke Farrell should take over as San Francisco's primary tight end for the time being.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) is officially active for Saturday's Divisional Round contest against the Seattle Seahawks. He had been listed as questionable after practicing in a limited capacity. Pearsall returns to action following a two-game absence. Injuries bothered him throughout most of the regular season, limiting him to just 36 catches, 528 yards, and zero touchdowns through nine games. His return comes at a perfect time for the Niners, who were in need of pass-catching reinforcements after losing George Kittle (Achilles) for the rest of the playoffs. Pearsall will step up as the No. 2 receiver alongside Jauan Jennings against Seattle. The last time he faced the Seahawks, back in Week 1, Pearsall caught four passes for 108 yards.

San Francisco 49ers tight end Jake Tonges will be a legitimate top-five TE option for fantasy managers in playoff leagues for the Divisional Round on Saturday night against the Seattle Seahawks, following George Kittle's torn Achilles tendon in the Wild-Card win over the Philadelphia Eagles. The last time Kittle sat out with an injury on Dec. 28 in the win over the Chicago Bears, Tonges had seven catches on nine targets for 60 yards and a touchdown. He also had seven grabs on a season-high 11 targets for 41 yards and a score back in the Oct. 2 overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams when Kittle was out due to injury. The Niners will be facing a stout Seattle defense that held them to just three points in the Week 18 regular-season finale, but their D did allow the 11th-most half-PPR fantasy points per game to TEs during the regular season.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy was far from perfect in his team's Wild Card Weekend win over the Philadelphia Eagles. The 26-year-old completed 18 of 31 pass attempts for 262 yards and two touchdowns, but he also threw two interceptions. Dating back to the regular season, Purdy has now thrown an interception in four consecutive games. In the Divisional Round, San Francisco will travel to Seattle to take on the Seahawks. Seattle completely shut Purdy down in the regular season finale for both teams, holding Purdy to 19 of 27 passing for 127 yards, zero touchdowns, and a pick. The Seahawks defense was dominant throughout the regular season, finishing first in the NFL in yards per pass attempt allowed (6.0) and tied for seventh in sacks (47). Making matters worse for Purdy, he'll be without one of his top receiving weapons in tight end George Kittle (Achilles), who suffered a season-ending torn Achilles tendon in the Wild Card Round. Given the matchup and San Francisco's depleted pass-catching corps, Purdy profiles as a quarterback for fantasy managers to avoid in the Divisional Round.

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) underwent successful surgery to fix his torn right Achilles tendon on Wednesday, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. Kittle was placed on Injured Reserve on Wednesday and will miss the rest of the playoffs. Because his injury occurred so late in the year, too, the 32-year-old veteran almost certainly won't be ready for the start of the 2026 campaign this fall. In fact, he could end up missing the majority of next regular season after tearing his Achilles in the Wild-Card win over the Philadelphia Eagles last Sunday. Going into this Saturday's NFC Divisional contest against the Seattle Seahawks, Jake Tonges will take over as the Niners' top pass-catching tight end. Kittle, a seven-time Pro Bowler, still has high-end TE1 upside when healthy, but durability concerns will drastically affect his 2026 fantasy value.

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner (ankle) will not be activated from Injured Reserve for Saturday's Divisional Round contest in Seattle against the division-rival Seahawks, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. The extremely banged-up 49ers' defense won't get Warner back, and they'll also be without safety Ji'Ayir Brown (hamstring). Meanwhile, linebackers Luke Gifford (quadriceps) and Dee Winters (ankle) are questionable. San Fran's defense did a very respectable job last weekend, slowing down the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild-Card round, considering how decimated they've been by injuries all year. If they can somehow pull off the upset against Seattle on Saturday night, Warner will be itching to return for the NFC Championship against either the Los Angeles Rams or the Chicago Bears. Warner has been out since dislocating and fracturing his ankle back in Week 6.

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee, ankle) will be questionable to play in the Divisional Round of the playoffs on Saturday evening on the road against the division-rival Seattle Seahawks, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. Pearsall missed a good chunk of his second NFL season due to a sprained PCL in his right knee, and he's also missed three of the last four games, including last week's Wild-Card win over the Philadelphia Eagles, after aggravating his knee. San Fran could really use the 25-year-old former first-rounder back against Seattle after losing tight end George Kittle to a torn Achilles tendon last Sunday. Pearsall was limited in practice all week and is optimistic he'll be available on Saturday night. He did go over 100 receiving yards in two of his last three games, but Pearsall has been very hit or miss and injury-prone, making him extremely volatile as a fantasy option in playoff leagues in a bad matchup if he's active.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee, ankle) is "optimistic" that he will return in the Divisional Round of the playoffs this Saturday night against the division-rival Seattle Seahawks and plans to be at full speed in practice on Wednesday, according to David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard. Pearsall practiced in a limited fashion on Tuesday for the first time since Dec. 31 due to an aggravation of a PCL sprain in his right knee. The 25-year-old former first-rounder is also battling an ankle injury. Injuries continued to be an issue for Pearsall in 2025 -- he played in just nine games -- but he appears to be trending in the right direction to be active against Seattle. That would be a big boost to a Niners offense that just lost star tight end George Kittle to a torn Achilles tendon. It would also be bad news for the fantasy upside of receivers Jauan Jennings and Demarcus Robinson. UPDATE: Pearsall was limited in Wednesday's practice.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Demarcus Robinson caught six passes for a team-high 111 receiving yards and a touchdown in Sunday's Wild Card win over the Eagles. With the injury-stricken status of the 49ers' pass-catching depth chart, he could be tasked with handling a similarly heavy workload in a Divisional Round clash with the Seahawks on Saturday. Tight end George Kittle (Achilles) saw his season come to an end when he ruptured his Achilles tendon on Sunday, and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) began the week as a limited practice participant after missing the playoff opener with knee and ankle injuries. Christian McCaffrey is likely to remain the primary option in San Francisco's passing game, as he has all season, but if Pearsall is unable to suit up on Saturday, the 31-year-old Robinson could be in line for another productive outing.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee, ankle) will be listed as a limited participant on the team's estimated injury report on Tuesday, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. Pearsall is back at practice for the first time since Dec. 31 after aggravating a PCL sprain in his right knee. The 25-year-old has a shot to return for the Divisional Round of the playoffs against the Seattle Seahawks, but Pearsall should still be considered very questionable for the weekend. The Niners really could use the former first-rounder back after they lost tight end George Kittle to a torn Achilles tendon last weekend. If Pearsall is limited or misses yet another game due to knee and ankle injuries, Demarcus Robinson could be in line for heavy targets for the second straight week. Robinson broke out for six catches, 111 yards, and a touchdown on a season-high seven targets in the Wild-Card win over the Eagles with Pearsall out.