The San Francisco 49ers improved to 2-0 on the season with a hard-fought road victory in Week 2. On Monday, head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke with the media to provide updates on injuries, highlight individual performances, and reflect on the team's performance against the New Orleans Saints.
Injury Updates
Shanahan opened his press conference with a list of injuries from Sunday's contest:
- FB Kyle Juszczyk entered the concussion protocol and will be monitored throughout the week.
- OL Ben Bartch sustained a high ankle sprain and is expected to miss time.
- DB Siran Neal also entered the concussion protocol after reporting symptoms on Monday.
- OL Spencer Burford is dealing with a knee issue and is considered day-to-day as the team evaluates his progress.
- WR Jauan Jennings suffered an ankle injury and will be re-evaluated this week.
Despite the setbacks, Shanahan expressed confidence in the depth across the roster, pointing to the way multiple players stepped up in extended roles on Sunday.
Rookies Step Up
When Ben Bartch went down early in the contest, rookie offensive lineman Connor Colby was called upon. Shanahan praised his readiness:
"I've loved how he's been here so far... I thought he did a hell of a job, made some plays. He'll get better the more he plays. But, he was ready for the moment and definitely helped us with that win."
The 49ers will continue to lean on Colby as he gains more in-game experience. Defensive lineman Mykel Williams continued to build on his Week 1 debut, making a noticeable impact in the trenches. Shanahan pointed to his presence on a key Nick Bosa sack late in the game.
"I think he looks more comfortable the more he goes. I thought just from an assignment standpoint, I thought he did a lot better this week. Also from a production standpoint, got in the backfield a number of times, had some TFLs. I thought he really affected the quarterback on Nick Bosa's sack there on the second-to-last drive of the series, just pushing the pocket and making him try to escape through the B-gap and Bosa coming back underneath to get that sack. So, I thought he was a lot of good things."
Two-Minute Drill Execution
One of the highlights of the first half was the 49ers two-minute touchdown drive before halftime. Shanahan highlighted QB Mac Jones and the entire unit for staying composed despite limited timeouts and several new faces on the field due to injuries.
"I was really proud of the guys there. I mean, just to be able to go to the length of the field in a minute with one time out, not use the one time out until the second-to-last play and to be able to finish there with a touchdown I thought it was huge. Mac did a hell of a job. All the guys that made some plays, and they protected well, gave us a chance to run away with that, especially getting the ball there in the third quarter."
That sequence gave San Francisco momentum heading into halftime.
Ji'Ayir Brown at "Big Nickel"
On Sunday, Brown stepped into the "big nickel" position, a hybrid role that asked him to play near the line of scrimmage in run support while still holding coverage responsibilities.
"We call it 'big nickel.' Sometimes safeties will go in and play the nickel position. But, that's the same as an outside linebacker position too."
Brown shined in the role, showing physicality against the run, versatility in coverage, and his contributions also extended to special teams.
"Tig did a real good job at 'big nickel.' He also played really well in special teams."
Mac Jones' Confidence
Shanahan and several players, including RB Christian McCaffrey, have described Jones as having "swag." Shanahan highlighted a key third-down conversion to WR Ricky Pearsall as an example of Jones' confidence under pressure:
"I just think Mac's confident in himself. I mean, not everything went perfect, especially the way we started out. We had a big three and out to start. The next time we got up, we're looking at three and out again because it was third and 14. For him to step in and throw that dagger throw to Ricky when the corner was in front of it, there was a guy in his face, but he wasn't sitting there worried about looking bad or anything like that. He had the confidence to make a rip and the confidence in Ricky to step in front of it. So, I think you can see people's personality in how they play, and I think that's what makes guys believe in him."
Looking Ahead
Resilience has been the word for the 49ers through the first two weeks, overcoming injuries and in-game challenges to remain unbeaten. With evaluations continuing for several players, the team will look to build on its strong start as preparations begin for the Week 3 home opener.
