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Jake Tonges Jake Tonges Has plantar fascia injury
Wed, Jan 21, 2026, 3:11 PM
Tonges suffered a plantar fascia injury in his foot during this past Saturday's divisional-round loss at Seattle, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
Analysis: Tonges flashed at times during the 2025 campaign when George Kittle was sidelined for a variety of injuries, totaling a 40-366-5 line on 55 targets in 19 games, including two postseason contests. He made an early exit in the third quarter of the divisional round and wasn't able to return, and now the nature of his health concern is known. Tonges has a three-week recovery on tap, so he should be fully healthy before the 49ers need to make a decision on his restricted free-agent tender in March. |
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Mac Jones Mac Jones May stay with Niners
Wed, Jan 21, 2026, 2:23 PM
San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday that he expects Jones to be with the 49ers for 2026, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
Analysis: General manager John Lynch also praised Jones but didn't comment on expectations for next season. Jones went 5-3 as a starter while completing 69.6 percent of his passes for 7.4 YPA, giving the 49ers a fantastic return on their investment in the first season of a two-year, $8.4 million contract. He probably won't be content to return to San Francisco as an underpaid backup, but his contract does give the team some leverage in discussions about a trade or raise. |
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Brandon Aiyuk Brandon Aiyuk Won't play for Niners again
Wed, Jan 21, 2026, 2:11 PM
San Francisco GM John Lynch said Wednesday that Aiyuk (knee) won't play for the 49ers again, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Reports in November suggested Aiyuk was angling for his release after the 49ers voided guarantees in his contract. He'll likely get his wish in the coming weeks, with Lynch now confirming that Aiyuk won't be welcomed back to the team. |
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George Kittle George Kittle Eyeing expedited return from injury
Tue, Jan 20, 2026, 11:24 AM
Kittle said Monday that the right Achilles surgery he underwent last week went as well as possible, and the tight end said he expects to return to action "well before November" during the 2026 season, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Though a more definitive target date for his return won't become apparent until he's further along in the rehab process, Kittle is optimistic that he'll face a shorter recovery timeline than most players coming back from Achilles surgery because he suffered a clear tear near the soleus muscle. Since that muscle is located higher up on the Achilles and he didn't need surgery on his heel, Kittle said that his surgeon, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, termed the procedure as a "best-case scenario." Kittle still appears likely to open training camp on a reserve list while he works his way through the rehab process, but he suggested that he's not closing the door on being ready to play by Week 1 of next season, when he would be approximately eight months removed from surgery. |
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Brock Purdy Brock Purdy No offseason procedures anticipated
Mon, Jan 19, 2026, 3:02 PM
Purdy said Monday that he will not require an offseason procedure to address the turf toe injury that hampered him early during the 2025 campaign, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Purdy's turf toe injury bothered him as early as Week 1, and, in conjunction with an AC joint sprain in his left shoulder, he was forced him to miss two games. In his return to action Week 4, he then aggravated the toe issue, resulting in a six-game stretch on the sidelines. Purdy said he'll continue strengthening the toe this offseason, but the issue won't cause him any limitations during team activities or require surgery. Across his nine combined regular-season appearances and two playoff tilts, Purdy completed an impressive 230 of 342 pass attempts for 2,569 yards, 22 touchdowns and three interceptions, while also rushing 47 times for 208 yards and three scores. Looking ahead to the 2026 campaign, however, Purdy's fantasy prospects look murky. George Kittle (Achilles) is recovering from a significant injury, while at wide receiver Jauan Jennings is staring down free agency, and injuries consistently hampered Ricky Pearsall in 2025. |
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Kendrick Bourne Kendrick Bourne Solid return to SF in 2025
Mon, Jan 19, 2026, 1:53 PM
Bourne finished the regular season with 37 receptions for 551 yards across 16 games played with the 49ers.
Analysis: The veteran wideout returned to the club that he began his career with as an undrafted free agent back in 2017. Bourne was brought in to help fill the void left by injured starters Brandon Aiyuk and Ricky Pearsall to begin the year. The 29-year-old Bourne was successful in that role, highlighted by back-to-back 142-yard outings in Weeks 5 and 6. Bourne will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, but he's unlikely to land in a situation that would make him a viable fantasy target in 2026. |
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Demarcus Robinson Demarcus Robinson Sour end to underwhelming season
Mon, Jan 19, 2026, 1:39 PM
Robinson brought in his only target for one yard in Saturday's 41-6 divisional-round loss to the Seahawks.
Analysis: Robinson was riding high from his best performance as a member of the 49ers in the wild-card round (6-111-1 versus the Eagles), but he came crashing back down to earth after gaining just one yard on his only touch against Seattle. The veteran wideout got off to a slow start with his new club after serving a three-game suspension to begin the year, and he would go on to post an underwhelming 22-276-1 receiving line across 14 games in the regular season. The 49ers were extremely thin at wide receiver in 2025, making Robinson's lack of involvement frustrating from a fantasy standpoint. The 32-year-old will be back with San Francisco next season for the final year of his two-year contract, likely serving as a depth piece for a retooled receiver room. |
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Brian Robinson Brian Robinson Role marginalized in playoffs
Mon, Jan 19, 2026, 1:18 PM
Robinson had three carries for four yards and one reception for three yards in Saturday's 41-6 playoff loss to the Seahawks.
Analysis: Robinson was able to get involved in the offensive game plan in the divisional round after garnering no touches across seven offensive snaps (12 percent) in San Francisco's wild-card win over the Eagles. The power back was traded to the 49ers last August and offered a true change of pace to Christian McCaffrey's electric running style. Robinson finished the regular season with a 92-400-2 rushing line while appearing in 17 contests behind McCaffrey. The 26-year-old Robinson will become an unrestricted free agent this offseason and should have no problem finding work after averaging 4.1 YPC across four seasons as a pro. |
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Christian McCaffrey Christian McCaffrey Returns to game
Sat, Jan 17, 2026, 9:29 PM
McCaffrey (shoulder) returned to Saturday's divisional-round game against the Seahawks, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Analysis: McCaffrey missed two drives for the 49ers but was able to check back in midway through the third quarter after dealing with a stinger. He should serve as the team's lead back, though the injury may limit his reps. |
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Jake Tonges Jake Tonges Suffers foot injury
Sat, Jan 17, 2026, 9:25 PM
Tonges is questionable to return to Saturday's divisional-round game against the 49ers due to a foot injury, Eric Williams of NFL on FOX reports.
Analysis: Tonges suffered a non-contact injury early in the third quarter. He was able to hobble off the field and was spotted running up and down the sideline. Tonges was already filling in for the injured George Kittle (Achilles), so the 49ers could have a depleted tight end room for the rest of this matchup. |
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Christian McCaffrey Christian McCaffrey Dealing with upper-body injury
Sat, Jan 17, 2026, 9:11 PM
McCaffrey is questionable to return to Saturday's divisional-round game against the Seahawks due to a stinger, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: McCaffrey suffered the injury on San Francisco's final drive of the first half, and he's remained out to start the third quarter. He was spotted having his left shoulder worked on, though he remained on the sideline with his helmet on. Brian Robinson has taken over as the lead back in McCaffrey's absence. |
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Ricky Pearsall Ricky Pearsall Back in action Saturday
Sat, Jan 17, 2026, 5:43 PM
Pearsall (knee) is listed as active Saturday in Seattle, Briana Jeannel of the 49ers' official site reports.
Analysis: Pearsall thus will be making only his second appearance since Week 15 due to the PCL injury that has forced nine absences this season, including last Sunday's wild-card win at Philadelphia. The 49ers lost TE George Kittle to a torn Achilles in that contest, so a few more targets will be available to the rest of the team's pass catchers Saturday. In five outings in the second half of the campaign, Pearsall hauled in 16 of 24 targets for 201 yards and no touchdowns. |
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Jacob Cowing Jacob Cowing Ruled out vs. Seahawks
Sat, Jan 17, 2026, 3:53 PM
Cowing (hamstring) has been ruled out for San Francisco's divisional-round matchup versus the Seahawks on Saturday.
Analysis: Cowing will not be activated off injured reserve and will now be forced to miss another game. The 2024 fourth-round pick has been sidelined for the entirety of the season with a hamstring injury but will look to make his return next week, should the 49ers advance to the NFC Championship Game. |
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Ricky Pearsall Ricky Pearsall Questionable for Saturday
Thu, Jan 15, 2026, 3:59 PM
Pearsall (knee) will be listed as questionable for Saturday's divisional-round game against the Seahawks, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Pearsall, who continues to manage a PCL injury in his right knee, was inactive in Weeks 16 and 18 as well as the 49ers' wild-card win over the Eagles this past Sunday. For his part, the wideout has been able to practice in a limited fashion this week and is optimistic that he'll play this weekend, per Vic Tafur of The Athletic, but given his official 'questionable' designation, Pearsall's status will still need to be monitored ahead of the 8:00 p.m ET kickoff. |
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Brayden Willis Brayden Willis Signs to active roster
Wed, Jan 14, 2026, 5:29 PM
The 49ers elevated Willis from the practice squad to the active roster.
Analysis: Willis was active in seven regular-season games for San Francisco in 2025, playing 98 snaps on special teams and 13 on offense. The 26-year-old will likely be a depth option for the 49ers' playoff matchup against the Seahawks, behind Luke Farrell and Jake Tonges as they take over for George Kittle (Achilles) |
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George Kittle George Kittle Officially placed on IR
Wed, Jan 14, 2026, 5:26 PM
The 49ers placed Kittle (Achilles) on injured reserve Wednesday.
Analysis: This is merely a procedural move after Kittle was diagnosed with a torn right Achilles following this past Sunday's wild-card victory in Philadelphia. Coach Kyle Shanahan announced Tuesday that Kittle was slated for surgery Wednesday, after which point his rehab will start in earnest. Considering the timing of the injury and the expected lengthy recovery timeline, Kittle appears destined to miss a decent portion of the 2026 season. As for the 49ers' current playoff run, Jake Tonges will be the biggest beneficiary as a pass catcher among the remaining tight ends, but Luke Farrell and Brayden Willis also are on hand for snaps and targets. |
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Ricky Pearsall Ricky Pearsall Limited again Wednesday
Wed, Jan 14, 2026, 5:16 PM
Pearsall (knee) practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Analysis: Pearsall sat out Weeks 16 and 18 and also the 49ers' wild-card victory at Philadelphia this past Sunday due to the lingering PCL injury in his right knee. He followed up Tuesday's limited walkthrough with a capped session one day later, giving him one more chance to get back to full before the weekend. For what it's worth, Pearsall told Vic Tafur of The Athletic on Wednesday that his knee "feels fine" and that he's optimistic that he'll play Saturday in Seattle, but it remains to be seen if the 49ers tag him with a designation for the divisional-round contest. |
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Colton Dowell Colton Dowell Signed to future deal
Wed, Jan 14, 2026, 12:30 PM
The 49ers signed Dowell to a reserve/future contract Wednesday.
Analysis: Dowell has bounced around the NFL this season, residing on the Titans' and Ravens' practice squads for separate stints. The wide receiver was not elevated for any regular-season games in 2025 and will look to seize the opportunity to play for the 49ers in 2026. |
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Ricky Pearsall Ricky Pearsall Officially listed as limited
Tue, Jan 13, 2026, 5:58 PM
Pearsall (knee/ankle) was officially estimated as limited in Tuesday's walkthrough practice, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Pearsall's limited listing confirms the comments head coach Kyle Shanahan made Tuesday morning. The 49ers held a walkthrough session Tuesday, so Pearsall's activity level is only an estimate, but it appears he's ready to retake the practice field for the first time since Dec. 31, which lends optimism to the notion that he could be available for Saturday's divisional-round matchup in Seattle. He's managing an ankle injury in addition to an aggravated PCL sprain in his right knee. With standout tight end George Kittle having suffered a season-ending Achilles tear during San Francisco's wild-card round win over Philadelphia, it would be a notable boost for this receiving corps if Pearsall is able to get back in the starting lineup. |
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George Kittle George Kittle Surgery on tap Wednesday
Tue, Jan 13, 2026, 2:27 PM
San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan announced that Kittle (Achilles) will undergo season-ending surgery Wednesday.
Analysis: Kittle will have his surgery three days after tearing his right Achilles tendon in the second quarter of a 23-19 win over the Eagles in the wild-card round. Since most Achilles tears typically entail 9-to-12-month recovery periods, Kittle appears likely to be sidelined for at least some portion of the 2026 season. Jake Tonges will serve as the 49ers' top pass-catching tight end in Kittle's absence for the duration of the team's playoff run, and blocking specialist Luke Farrell may also be in line for added snaps. |
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