SANTA CLARA – The 49ers' injury list was long on Wednesday and only time will tell in the event that they might be without some key players in Week 5 or if it was more of a precautionary measure given the upcoming schedule and a sweltering day.

Middle linebacker Fred Warner (ankle) and tight end George Kittle (ribs) were spared from practice, which was the most well liked practice of the 12 months at 97 degrees. Also defensive lineman Yetur Gross-Matos (knee), wide receiver Jacob Cowing (shoulder), wide receiver Chris Conley (oblique) and linebacker Dee Winters (ankle).

Those who were limited were defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (knee), safety Talanoa Hufanga (ankle), defensive tackle Kevin Givens (triceps) and linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (ankle).

Given that Warner was unable to drag off a 30-13 win over New England while Kittle did, his status is most concerning. During the media viewing window at practice, he was seen jogging without hobbling to the side.

The seventh-year linebacker has put together spectacular performances in the primary 4 games of the season, capped by a 45-yard interception return for a touchdown against New England, and is a candidate for his second NFL Player of the Month award in his Career.

Warner, who said Sunday he would have returned to the sport if he could, didn’t provide any details about his status for the Arizona game. Asked how he felt, Warner smiled and said: “Wonderful. “Legendary, as they say” after which was understandably vague in regards to the injury.

“My plan is to play, of course,” Warner said. “I’m just going to continue to listen to what the classroom is asking me to do and take it one day at a time.”

Coach Kyle Shanahan said all the injured players were “day to day” as they were Monday, meaning there have been no setbacks or additional information that will rule them out of a likelihood to play. But he's factoring within the injuries because the Cardinals come to Levi's Stadium on Sunday after which play Seattle on the road on Thursday night.

“We gave a lot of guys a hard time, and with how hot it is, we're taking a lot out of the guys today,” said Shanahan, whose team will play twice in five days. “We probably would have done it anyway, but with another game (so soon) it definitely made that decision easier.”

Defensive player Nick Bosa sees the NFC West games as a vital stage and is looking forward to some break day after the sport against Seattle.

“Every game is big, division opponents count double and we have a mini-bye after the game on Thursday,” said Bosa. “Getting two wins here, obviously starting with Arizona, would be huge.”

MUSTAPHAS LAUNCH DEBUT

Rookie safety Malik Mustapha thought he had a “solid” debut when he played all 64 defensive snaps rather than Hufanga at safety, however the fourth-round pick from Wake Forest had essentially the most fun blocking for Warner on his touchdown acted.

After Warner made the diving catch, Mustapha sprinted to the center of the sector and eliminated an unsuspecting would-be tackler.

“It felt like playground football, just making sure my guy was trying to score on defense,” Mustapha said. “I saw who was in front of me and just shot.”

The only glaring mistake, other than a broken interception when the sport was already decided, was when Mustapha allowed Rhamondre Stevenson to get past him on a third-and-6 play and a 7-yard pass from Jacoby Brissett converted a primary down.

The mistake wasn't being overly excited, but relatively being slightly too conservative.

“I stopped my feet and that’s why he was able to go outside,” Mustapha said. “It's my fault that I didn't play the style of football I'm used to. After that, I was able to trust my instincts and play as quickly as possible.”

STRENGTHEN DEFENSE DEPTH

The 49ers made two moves to compensate for injuries: They signed linebacker Jalen Graham from the Washington Commanders' practice squad and added defensive tackle Kalia Davis, who had minor knee surgery late within the preseason.

Graham, a seventh-round draft pick a 12 months ago, knows the system and may pick up where he left off and find yourself on the sector against Arizona depending on the health of Warner, Winters and Flannigan-Fowles. Another linebacker, Curtis Robinson, is out for a 12 months with a torn ACL.

“With his athleticism, his intelligence and his feel for the game, I think he can help us in a lot of ways,” Warner said.

Graham played in 4 games for the 49ers as a rookie seventh-round draft select of Purdue, exclusively on special teams.

“Monday was the first time I spoke to them,” Graham said. “They just let me know they wanted me to come back to 53-man and it went from there. I’m happy they brought me back and I’m ready to work.”

Washington's general manager is Adam Peters, who was assistant GM to John Lynch when the 49ers drafted Graham.

“Jalen was a guy we didn’t want to lose,” Shanahan said. “It was hard to let him go. We were really hoping to keep him on the practice squad, but AP stole him, so we had to get him back.”

As for Davis, the 49ers have 21 days to position him on either the 53-man roster or injured reserve. Shanahan doesn't expect to make use of the complete 21 days.

“Hopefully this week,” Shanahan said. “We’ll watch him this week and see how he does. But we would like to raise him.”

QUICK CONCLUSIONS

— The 49ers are usually not yet ready to begin the 21-day round against rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall Jr., who suffered a gunshot wound to the chest during an Aug. 31 robbery in San Francisco.

“We just don’t feel like he’s ready this week,” Shanahan said.

Shanahan also said the shoulder subluxation that plagued Pearsall during training camp isn’t any longer a difficulty.

– Will Kyle Juszczyk proceed to play the role of the NFL's only fullback who also returns punts? If Cowing can't play, that's a possibility.

“He’ll start doing it the rest of the year,” Shanahan said.

Shanahan was probably joking, but Juszczyk, subbing in for Cowing against New England, returned an eight-yard punt when asked to easily make a good catch. Cowing averaged 5.3 yards and nine yards on six returns.

“I think Kyle is one of the more confident people I've ever been around,” Shanahan said. “Ask anyone. I don’t care how good your hands are, but just being thrown into an NFL game and catching a punt isn’t very easy.”

— Christian McCaffrey was in the ability but not on the sector. Shanahan had no details about whether the Achilles tendonitis in either leg was resolving. Although highly unlikely, McCaffery might be eligible to return off injured reserve after the Arizona game.

“I don’t get an update on Christian every day because when the guys are on IR, I’m more focused on what we’re doing that week and day,” Shanahan said. “I know he’s rehabilitating himself.”

– Wide receiver Terique Owens, son of former 49er Terrell Owens, was added to the practice squad, as was defensive lineman Jonathan Garvin. Terique Owens was with the 49ers during training camp. Defensive player Shakel Brown was released from the practice squad.

Originally published: October 2, 2024 at 3:26 p.m

SANTA CLARA – The 49ers received excellent news Monday about linebacker Fred Warner and clarified the condition of running back Christian McCaffrey.

Warner was listed as “day-to-day” with an ankle injury after missing the second half of Sunday's 30-13 win over the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium. It was Warner's 45-yard interception return for a touchdown that gave the 49ers a 13-0 lead after settling for brief field goals on their first two drives.

“If it's a severe ankle sprain, you know it's going to take some time,” Shanahan said in his weekly conference call with local writers. “I know he's hurting today, but saying he hurts every day gives him a chance to heal this week.”

If so, Warner has a probability to be on the sphere when the 49ers (2-2) face the Arizona Cardinals (1-3) at Levi's Stadium on Sunday.

McCaffrey, meanwhile, was on the stadium after getting back from Germany to receive treatment for Achilles tendonitis. As general manager John Lynch said on KNBR last week, McCaffrey is affected by “bilateral Achilles tendonitis” – meaning each Achilles tendons are affected.

“During the time (he was out), he made it in both cases,” Shanahan said. “I think it started with one person, one overcompensated, it moved on to the other. But one of them in particular bothered him, but in both cases he was fed up with it.”

Lynch said the following step is to physically rebuild McCaffery in a “smart and thoughtful way.”

McCaffrey will probably be eligible to return from injured reserve on Thursday, October tenth in Seattle, but it surely is probably going he will probably be out significantly longer.

Other players injured and listed as day-to-day alongside Warner included wide receiver Jacob Cowing (shoulder), defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (knee), tight end George Kittle (ribs), wide receiver Chris Conley (oblique) and the Fullback Kyle Juszczyk (shoulder).

After spending the primary 4 games of the season on the non-football injured list, wide receiver Ricky Pearsall Jr. is eligible to start a 21-day window of workouts to find out when he will probably be added to the 53-man roster could be. Shanahan said he wasn't sure if Pearsall's window would begin this week.

However, defensive tackle Kalia Davis could come off injured reserve and start his practice window as early as Wednesday.

Warner reached the postgame podium on Sunday and not using a limp, but couldn't announce he could be able to compete this week.

“It was all based on feeling,” Warner said. “It would take a lot for me to do it, right? If I could have been out there, I would have been. We'll have more information as we continue with the scans and all that. I’m fine at the moment.”

In just 28 snaps, Warner had seven tackles, only one behind team leader Ji'Ayir Brown, who played all 64 snaps and had eight stops. When Warner was named to the All-Pro first team a yr ago, his level of play was even higher.

“It’s hard to say, he’s been so good every year,” Shanahan said. “But the way he started this year, it’s been a great year for him so far.”

Defensive lineman Nick Bosa agreed and said the difference this yr is that Warner is capitalizing on the plays that come his way.

“He always played at the highest level,” Bosa said. “Sometimes things come your way in the game and he took advantage of those opportunities. I don’t see it slowing down.”

MUSTAPHA AND GREEN

Safety Malik Mustapha began rather than Talanoa Hufanga (ankle) and played every snap on defense. Fellow rookie Renardo Green received his first prolonged project and performed well within the second half. Shanahan liked what he saw from each of them.

Mustapha's day began with a touch of a third-down tackle and ended with a dropped interception, but all the things in between was solid. Shanahan liked the way in which Mustapha blocked Warner's 45-yard interception return.

“I was really happy with the way he played and it was nice to have Renardo there,” Shanahan said. “It was nothing against Ike (Isaac Yiadom), Ike had a hell of a first half. But we used him, gave him a chance in the third quarter, he did well and we just went with him.”

THE PEARSALL PLAN

Given that Pearsall missed a lot time in training camp before suffering a gunshot wound to the chest during an Aug. 31 armed robbery in San Francisco, Shanahan said he wasn't sure how long it could be until he is chosen as a rookie in the primary round and is able to play.

“I really don’t make any judgments until I see how the guys do the week of practice,” Shanahan said. “You kind of make that decision over time.”

QUICK JUDGMENTS

The 49ers played with seven rookies who played 220 snaps on offense, defense and special teams: Mustapha (69:64 on offense, 5 on special teams), guard Dominic Puni (68:62 on offense, 6 on special teams) and Green (33). – 23 on defense, 10 on special teams), defensive tackle Evan Anderson (22 – 19 on defense, 3 on special teams), linebacker Tatum Bethune (18 – 4 on defense, 14 on special teams), running back Isaac Guerendo (12 – 5 in running back, seven in special teams) and wide receiver Jacob Cowing (8 – 4 in offense, 4 in special teams).

64: In addition to Mustapha, linebacker D'Vondre Campbell, cornerbacks Deommodore Lenoir and Charvarius Ward, and safety Ji'Ayir Brown were the defenders who played every snap.

63: Trent Williams was questionable with a toe injury but played every offensive snap. On snap No. 62, he was 15 yards ahead of Mason on a 25-yard run. He's effective.

59: At some point it was announced within the press box that Kittle had a rib injury. He only missed 4 snaps after which acted like he didn't find out about it. He called his leaping 12-yard touchdown reception from Purdy one among his top five.

50: Brandon Aiyuk had probably the most snaps of any wide receiver on the roster. He caught two passes for 48 yards and was targeted five times by Purdy.

35: After playing 18, 19 and 17 snaps in the primary three games, Kevin Givens played almost twice as often and had 2 1/2 sacks as a consequence of injuries to Javon Hargrave and an in-game injury to Jordan Elliott (14 snaps). . Givens got here into the sport with 6 1/2 profession sacks in 60 games and had never had a couple of in a game before.

23: Green saw his longest stint at cornerback after not getting any snaps within the opening game and 4 and five in Weeks 2 and three.

16: Yiadom played just 25 percent of the defensive snaps after posting rates of 76, 63 and 83 percent in the primary three games.

4: Cowing entered the sport as a large receiver but injured his shoulder. After the injury, he also handed over the punt return duties to Juszczyk.

1: Spencer Burford was the one reserve offensive lineman to get a snap, replacing Dominic Puni for a single play when Puni was scrambled.

Originally published: September 30, 2024 at 4:05 p.m

Details on the new NBA rights contract

SANTA CLARA – Nick Bosa giving pass rush tricks to a brand new colleague has develop into an annual ritual. This week it was Leonard Floyd who had an entertaining conversation with the 49ers' star defender in regards to the technique.

Or is that this nickname more worthy of linebacker Fred Warner? If not them, then who?

The 49ers defense is currently undergoing an entire revamp, complete with recent defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen and recent assistant head coach Brandon Staley.

Contact drills aren't for one more two months, but the beginning of organized team activities this week offers a glimpse into the 49ers' defense by position:

DEFENSIVE END

Bosa agreed to Kyle Shanahan's suggestion and apparently participated in OTAs for the primary time in five years. Bosa appeared in his usual motion figure body, but there may be also a mature leader contained in the No. 97 jersey.

Opposite him is Floyd, a ninth-year veteran who looks slim but agile and effective, within the pass-rushing role. The burly Yetur Gross-Matos looks like he might be a steal after slacking in Carolina's dungeon.

“Drake is not healthy, so he can't go,” Shanahan said of Drake Jackson, who’s rehabbing after undergoing knee surgery late last season.

Robert Beal Jr. looks to be making the jump from Year 1 to Year 2, which has definitely worked out well for one more fifth-round pick in 49ers history (see: Kittle, George). Not drafting a defensive end this yr could prove detrimental if depth quickly diminishes.

Defensive tackling

Projected starter Maliek Collins is predicted to affix OTAs next week, so Javon Hargrave was lined up Tuesday alongside one other rookie, Jordan Elliott, whose 6-foot-4 and 290-pound frame looks promising. Kalia Davis's grit is a positive sign after his NFL debut was delayed on account of injury.

Kevin Givens and TY McGill face tougher competition for spots on the roster this yr. Shakel Brown doesn't stand out as much next to established pros as he did during his rookie tryout at minicamp.

LINEBACKER

Fred Warner didn't play Tuesday and was still the defense's hype man, playfully taunting Purdy early in 11-on-11 motion. With Dre Greenlaw playing three months after recovering from his Super Bowl trauma, De'Vondre Campbell might be used on the weak-side position. Campbell didn't play particularly well at the top of his tenure with the Packers, so it should be interesting to see how much the 49ers use him if a young guy shines over the following three months.

Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles filled in for Warner at practice and looked as confident as a fifth-year veteran should. He and Curtis Robinson (strong side in Tuesday's first session) might be joined by a gaggle of younger, hard-working linebackers: Dee Winters, Jalen Graham and rookie Tatum Bethune.

Corner defender

Deommodore Lenoir moved from the best cornerback position to the inside nickelback position on Tuesday. That could actually work for one more season, especially if Isaac Yiadom secures the third (or second) spot at right cornerback. Second-round pick Renardo Green was the second-team nickelback, and his aggressive, feisty nature was immediately apparent.

With Charvarius Ward recovering from core surgery in February, Ambry Thomas was capable of play left cornerback on the primary unit, but that didn't help him. The 49ers needs to be excited to see what they’ll get out of Rock Ya-Sin, Chase Lucas, Sam Womack and Darrell Luter Jr. within the battle for depth (and special teams play).

SECURITY

Talanoa Hufanga looks as determined as ever as he rehabs alongside him five months after anterior cruciate ligament surgery. George Odum was in his place on the team unit next to Ji'Ayir Brown, with Erik Harris and Tayler Hawkins in the following row. Rookie Malik Mustapha is predicted to pack a punch together with his 5-foot-10, 200-pound frame, but he won't be allowed to take such heavy hits until preseason games in August (August 10 vs. Tennessee Titans, August 18 vs. New Orleans Saints, August 23 vs. Las Vegas Raiders).

SPECIALISTS

Kicker Nick Moody made a 50-yard field goal on Tuesday, if that helps anyone recover from his late-season slump when he missed one kick in each of his final 4 games. Punt returners Ronnie Bell, Ricky Pearsall, Danny Gray, Trent Taylor and Terique Owens all began; rookie Jacob Cowing was absent on Tuesday for undisclosed reasons. The NFL's recent kick return rules can have all teams experimenting in the approaching months, so stay tuned to see who the 49ers use.

Welcome to Friday Preps Spotlight, our recent feature shedding more light on the Bay Area's highschool sports scene. For suggestions and story ideas, email highschools@bayareanewsgroup.com. If you haven't already: please subscribe. Your contributions keep us going.

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BASEBALL: Quite a ride for the GRANADA STAR

It finally dawned on Parker Warner when he saw his Senior Day poster.

The five-foot-tall banner featured two pictures side by side.

On the proper was an elementary school photo of Warner in his Little League uniform. On the left is a photograph of Warner from this season in his black and gold Granada jersey.

As the senior walked off the sphere Thursday after Granada's final home game of the regular season, he quickly realized how much time had passed since he first wore Granada's colours 4 years ago.

“It seems like yesterday when I was a freshman watching the seniors being celebrated on Senior Day,” Warner said. “But being here with all my friends that I played Little League with and seeing everyone come in and do well was definitely a cool moment for all of us.”

Warner, a Stanford commit, had his own struggles as a freshman. Like a minor player attempting to stay within the show, Warner was bounced backwards and forwards between JV and varsity during his first 12 months on the Livermore school.

But since then he has turn into the undisputed leader of the Matadors. His 1.39 ERA and 49 strikeouts make him a powerful candidate for East Bay Athletic League Player of the Year.

“Parker was an exemplary example of what we expect from our baseball players,” Granada coach Corrigan Willis said. “It’s fun to see a guy who does everything right in the classroom, in the community and on the baseball field win some accolades.”

Granada and Warner usually are not finished yet.

The Matadors, who secured the league title within the regular season, have high goals. They hope to complete the season by winning the EBAL Tournament, North Coast Section and NorCal Regional Championships.

“We set goals at the beginning of the year and it was never our goal to go undefeated or anything like that,” Warner said. “But we have a lot of talent. But I definitely knew that if we played the way we were supposed to play, we would go into the playoffs with a lot of confidence.”

– Nathan Canilao

SOFTBALL: THE INJURED WOLICZKO FINALLY TAKES A BREAK

McKenna Woliczko is as busy as a highschool athlete may be: She's gone from a nationally recruited basketball player within the winter to a premier softball star within the spring.

If you mix school and social life along with her sporting commitments, the result’s a young woman who at all times has something to do.

“I really had to learn time management,” Woliczko said. “You can’t hesitate.”

This busy schedule continued unabated until a slide into second base against St. Ignatius on April 17 resulted in a serious knee injury and a number of weeks of inactivity. For the primary time in years – or possibly ever – Woliczko needed to decelerate.

She hates it.

“That sucks,” Woliczko said. “I want to be out there and play with my team.”

The excellent news is that Woliczko didn’t suffer any serious tears or sprains and is anticipated to be back on the softball field inside the following week. The sophomore was seen catching together with his teammates between innings of a game against Willow Glen this week.

After the softball season, it's on to AAU basketball.

In other words, Woliczko can be back to her normal, busy self.

—Joseph Dycus

BASEBALL: A'S BLCKBURN HONORED BY HERITAGE

Paul Blackburn, surrounded by family and friends at Heritage in Brentwood, hoisted his framed number 24 at the tip of Wednesday's pregame ceremony. On the A's pitcher's time off, his highschool alma mater retired his number before a crosstown rivalry game Liberty back.

“I haven't been here for a while. The opportunity to come back here and make these memories is more than I could have ever imagined,” Blackburn said.

He didn't should think long before he remembered his fondest memory from his time playing at Brentwood Public School.

“I still remember my no-hitter against Deer Valley because one of my best friends played for Deer Valley,” Blackburn said, referencing his eight-strikeout performance against Blake McAuley’s Wolverines on May 1, 2012.

Blackburn was a 24/7 starter as a prep star, posting a 1.04 ERA. Blackburn, a two-way player, hit .347 as a senior in 2012. A number of months later, the Chicago Cubs chosen Heritage's ace with their first-round pick.

He has spent his entire major league profession (2017-present) with the A's, was named to the All-Star team in 2022 and began this season 2-1, the A's last in Blackburn's Bay Area.

“I grew up playing there at the Coliseum and saw some really good teams,” Blackburn said. “I remember when there was an all-you-can-eat area in the third deck behind home plate that many of us frequented when we were in high school. The move is bittersweet.”

—Joseph Dycus

SOFTBALL: NO FACT IN SECOND YEAR FOR WILLOW GLEN STAR

Alanna Clincy of Willow Glen had a freshman season that saw her go from an unknown newcomer to the ace of the NorCal Division II champions.

She was even higher as a sophomore this season, striking out 146 in 85 innings for a team on the lookout for further postseason success.

After counting on her heater last 12 months, Clincy has now added devastating breaking pitches to her arsenal.

“I'm trying to work more on my own because that's how you should compete against good teams,” Clincy said. “You don’t want to send them anything outside the box.”

However, that fastball remains to be very effective, as is her bat. She posted a .508 average with two home runs and 25 RBIs.

—Joseph Dycus

SOFTBALL: PRESENTATION HAS ITSELF A YOUNG LEADER

Even though she is simply a sophomore, Julia Simón is already the most effective young players within the West Catholic Athletic League.

The presenting catcher leads her team in batting average (.469), on-base percentage (.542), hits (23), RBIs (20), slugging percentage (.795) and extra-base hits (11).

Simón attributes her dominant 12 months to a change in approach from her first season.

“I was a big home run hitter last year,” she said. “But this year I got more base hits and did my job at the plate. I focused on getting a runner in scoring position because we don't have the biggest hitters on our team. So I just played small ball, got on base and did my job.”

Although Simón will not be quite halfway through highschool, he has already taken on the leadership role on the team.

“This year it was easier because I was named co-captain,” Simón said. “I communicate very well with my coaches about what everyone on my team needs. That comfort alone has also helped me be a leader on the field.”

While Presentation (5-13, 1-6) remains to be an up-and-coming team, the core group of players is primarily made up of underclassmen. The Panthers will only graduate three seniors this 12 months, meaning this group can have experience next season.

“I’ve seen a lot of our freshmen really grow since the beginning of the year,” Simón said. “We're not the biggest team at Presentation, but there are so many girls who have so much potential. I really hope we can all grow in the coming seasons.”

– Nathan Canilao