49ers’ offensive line attrition worse than anything Kyle Shanahan can remember (paywall)
“Quarterback Brock Purdy said he’s made a point of connecting with the new faces over lunches this week. That group includes Matt Hennessy, a five-year veteran who was signed off the Falcons’ practice squad Thursday. Hennessy will likely serve as the first interior lineman off the bench Monday.
“It’s just communicating with them, telling them about cadence and timing of plays,” Purdy said. “And just helping them out in that regard and talking to them at lunch and getting to know them. It’s new. It’s different. It’s a tough situation. But this is the NFL, so we’ve got to adapt and be ready to go.”
Kyle Shanahan shares final updates ahead of 49ers-Lions Week 17 matchup
“San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke with reporters after Saturday’s practice as the team prepares for its Week 17 matchup against the Detroit Lions. Here’s everything he said.”
NFL fines Warner, other 49ers for Week 16 violations vs. Dolphins
“No matter what’s going on, when you have penalties like that, you don’t deserve to win,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said after the game.”
Five 49ers to watch in Week 17 game vs. revenge-seeking Lions
“Consider this an audition for Zakelj for a potential starting job next season. Banks is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent, and it appears likely he will get an attractive offer elsewhere and not return to the 49ers in 2025.
One thing to keep in mind about Zakelj: The 49ers valued him more in the 2022 NFL Draft than Purdy. The 49ers selected Zakelj in the sixth round with pick No. 187 out of Fordham, while Purdy was the final selection at No. 262 overall.”
Shanahan pinpoints what makes Lions’ offense so dangerous
“You know, it starts with their [O-line],” Shanahan told Papa. “I mean, that’s really what is special.
“I mean they got I don’t know how many first-round picks, but they all play like it, and I think most of them are there, but they’ll probably have four Pro Bowlers on their line I would guess this year, so it’s been good for a little bit.”
Detroit has four first-round draft picks starting on its offensive line, setting a tone up front that allows the Lions’ talented skill-position players and quarterback Jared Goff to thrive.
“But the stoutness of them, how they come off the ball, it really helps them like kind of do what they wanna do because, when you add an elite back to that like Jahmyr Gibbs, with his speed, how hard he runs, the scheme that they use too,” Shanahan told Papa. “They got good blocking tight ends also. when you throw Jared Goff behind an O-line like that. I mean, Goff is as accurate as any quarterback in this league.”
49ers vs. Lions: The Standard’s 5 fast predictions
“The 49ers’ offensive line is also straining to find the finish line. With starting left tackle Trent Williams, starting left guard Aaron Banks and top swing tackle Jaylon Moore all done for the season, the 49ers will field a ragtag left side against Detroit — especially since third-string left tackle Spencer Burford (calf) also might not play. Newcomers Charlie Heck, Austen Pleasants and Sebastian Gutierrez may the only options to protect quarterback Brock Purdy’s blind side.
This isn’t a welcome birthday present for Purdy, who turns 25 today. But no one said the NFL was supposed to be easy.”
