The San Francisco 49ers kicked off the season with a strong road victory in Week 1, and head coach Kyle Shanahan held a conference call with reporters on Monday to share updates on the team. Here are the biggest takeaways:
Injury Updates
Shanahan noted a handful of players are working through injuries coming out of the opener:
- OL Ben Bartch (knee) is day-to-day.
- WR Jauan Jennings (shoulder) had encouraging MRI results, with further evaluation ongoing. "The MRI was good. We're just waiting for a CT," Shanahan said.
- TE George Kittle (hamstring) is expected to miss a few weeks.
- QB Brock Purdy (shoulder, toe) is being monitored daily. Shanahan indicated the toe is the bigger concern: "I'd probably say the toe's worse than the shoulder… We've got to see how it heals and how the week goes."
Despite these setbacks, Shanahan expressed confidence in the roster's depth. On tight end Brayden Willis potentially stepping up, Shanahan said, "Brayden has played in a lot of games for us, and we wouldn't hesitate to bring him out there."
Kendrick Bourne Update
Shanahan was asked on Monday about wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, who recently became available on the market. The head coach spoke highly of Bourne's past contributions in San Francisco and his time in New England.
"We're pumped to have him back here," Shanahan said. "We'll see how he does when he gets on the practice field."
Any roster move involving Bourne would become official once the team announces it.
Quarterback Room
If Purdy is limited this week, Shanahan expressed confidence in quarterback Mac Jones, who had a strong training camp and is fully up to speed in the offense. Rookie Adrian Martinez is also continuing to develop, giving the 49ers options depending on Purdy's status.
"If he (Jones) has to go this week, he'll lead the guys. The guys will believe in him and I know he'll do his job at a high level," Shanahan said.
When asked if the team might consider adding another quarterback, Shanahan noted: "It has to do with how Brock is probably over these next 24 hours and throughout the week. But that's stuff we'll look into."
Young Defenders Impress
Several rookies on the defense saw extended action in the season opener and Shanahan liked what he saw in their performances. He highlighted CB Upton Stout at the nickel position and S Marques Sigle for his energy, playmaking, and key fumble recovery.
"I was real happy with him," Shanahan said. "He flew around, made a lot of plays, had that one missed tackle, but I thought his one missed tackle was good. He didn't break down at all, shot his guns, made the back come to a complete stop, had that fumble recovery and played very fast in the game. He didn't hesitate and that's where it starts."
Shanahan also praised DL Mykel Williams role in the run defense: "I think we mixed in a bunch of five-man lines and four-man lines, which I thought he did a good job on moving around a number of times. And I thought he played his man well. I didn't see him on the stat sheet a ton, but I thought he did good in his job and what we asked him to do. Hopefully he'll continue to get better."
Jake Tonges Game-Winning Catch
Tonges made his mark in the win, hauling in his first career catch before securing the game-winning touchdown.
"No one was open and I didn't think Jake was, but for some reason Brock did," Shanahan said with a laugh. "At the end of it he proved to us that Jake was open because he made a hell of a play stepping in front of (Seattle Seahawks CB) Riq (Woolen) like that. It was a big-time catch."
Shanahan also recognized Tonges' steady development.
"He's got really good hands, which you could see on that last play. He's got athletic ability. Then when you tie athletic ability with someone's hands and size, he's got the tools to be good in the pass game, but he had to come a long way in the run game to be able to make the team and be out there. He has come a long way in the run game, and he continues to improve in the pass game too. So, I know yesterday was his first day kind of sticking out to anyone and hopefully he'll continue to get better from that and put together a good career here."
Colton McKivitz Signs a Three-Year Extension
The 49ers also finalized a deal with McKivitz, a player Shanahan called one of the most reliable on the roster.
"Colton's been one of the most reliable guys on our team, really since he got in when (Denver Broncos OL Mike) McGlinchey left. Colton to me is such a good story. He was a fifth-round pick. We cut him once, put him on practice squad. He ended up coming back and playing for us. I still remember a Week 17 game versus the Rams when it wasn't until before the game that we realized Trent couldn't go, and Colton went in there and played unbelievable, gave us a chance to go to the playoffs. It was the next year that he really took over that starting position at right tackle. He's been our guy there ever since."
Shanahan went on to emphasize McKivitz's personal growth and leadership on the team:
"I believe he gets better each year. I think Colton's one of the true leaders on our team and truly a Forty Niner. I'm really pumped that we found a way to keep him here."
Looking Ahead
The 49ers showed resilience against the Seahawks, leaning on all three phases to secure the Week 1 win. While the team takes a closer look at the injuries sustained over the weekend, the focus now shifts to Week 2 in New Orleans as the 49ers look to build on their strong start.
