Your daily San Francisco 49ers news for Saturday, August 24th, 2024
Studs and Duds: How Purdy and others played in preseason finale
“Purdy looked stellar. He had one interception off a drop/deflection off the hands of Deebo Samuel, who didn’t quite look like he was playing like the season depended on it. Purdy’s pocket presence is absurd. In combination with his legs, he flashed that vintage Russel Wilson magicianry multiple times on the night with scrambles, absurd completions to Samuel and George Kittle, and the general buying of time that did not exist. He probably shouldn’t have made the tackle on that interception return, but he’s a *coach voice*football player.”
49ers 53-man roster projection: Did Jacob Cowing, Isaac Guerendo secure their roles? (paywall)
״Six has been the typical number here, although the 49ers once carried seven receivers on their 53-man roster. But the most efficient group this year involves Cowing winning the punt returner job. That leaves the door open for Conley, who’s an excellent gunner and ideal backup for Aiyuk at the X receiver position. Pearsall, because he didn’t play in the preseason, might be the inactive one of this group to begin the regular season. But the 49ers are taking their time with his shoulder injury. A prompt resolution of Aiyuk’s hold-in would obviously help everything click into place.״
Kyle Shanahan explains why Brandon Aiyuk traveled with 49ers to Las Vegas
“Shanahan stating Aiyuk is healthy could be him being too blunt, despite the injury excuse. It could also be interpreted as a veiled threat, that the 49ers know he’s healthy and could actually force him back into practice and to play on his fifth-year option. Maybe that’s reading too much into a statement, but as the clock keeps ticking closer, the 49ers might just have to set a deadline with the star receiver.
They have been resistant to do that, but as talks linger on, it’s not out of the question for them to use that remaining leverage. Nothing is out of the question with this saga.”
What we learned as Purdy, 49ers stars gel in preseason tie vs. Raiders
“Guerendo showed his 4.33 speed when he fielded Daniel Carlson’s kickoff at the 3-yard line, made it through the Raiders’ first line of coverage near the left sideline, and broke a tackle attempt from Sam Webb. Guerendo made Carlson miss, then angled all the way back across the field. Webb finally caught up to him and tackled him at the Raiders’ 4-yard line.”
“But I think “scorched earth” is an inaccurate description for how Aiyuk has handled this. He hasn’t really criticized the 49ers (other than the “they said they don’t want me” social media thing). He hasn’t even said the names of York, Shanahan or Lynch during this entire period. And believe me, having covered a lot of these, when the player starts mentioning powerful people by name, that’s when things can get really, really bad.
This is more confusing than outwardly ugly. What I’ve heard from 49ers people is that Aiyuk’s camp has been extremely hard to read. The 49ers hate having to decipher social-media cues or wondering if the bro-hugs are just performances for the cameras. What I sense is that Aiyuk’s camp thinks the 49ers have been way too interested in “winning” this deal — in private and public — rather than getting him signed.
I just think the two sides have been talking past each other for months now. There’s a path to getting this solved. I think the two sides both separately understand this. I also think the two sides aren’t sure that the other cares or understands how to get there. There are a few days left before this might get really out of control.”
49ers’ Brock Purdy avoids injury but Leonard Floyd hurt in preseason finale (paywall)
“Floyd’s injury provided a reminder of the 49ers’ lack of edge-rusher depth, partly because Drake Jackson was placed on season-ending injured reserve during training camp after offseason knee surgery. After Bosa, Floyd and Gross-Matos, the 49ers’ top edge rusher is Robert Beal, a 2023 fifth-round pick who played 39 defensive snaps as a rookie.
Meanwhile, Purdy exited unscathed despite taking four hits in his three-series performance, which ended with him making a tackle after throwing an interception.”