Golden Nuggets: Sam Darnold, 49ers Legend

Seahawks beat Rams in thriller: What the NFC West shift means for the 49ers
“If the 49ers win out—including what could be a pivotal Week 18 matchup against Seattle at Levi’s Stadium—they would have a legitimate claim to the top spot in the conference.

A win in Week 18 would mean the 49ers sweep the Seahawks and win the head-to-head tiebreaker (assuming their records match). The 49ers and Rams split their series this season. San Francisco is 5-1 in the NFC West while Los Angeles is now 4-2, giving the 49ers the edge there if their records match at the end.

Key 49ers defensive reinforcements nearing return ahead of Week 16 vs. Colts
“But wide receiver Ricky Pearsall’s status for the 49ers’ game Monday night remains uncertain, though coach Kyle Shanahan said he has a chance to be available to play against the Indianapolis Colts.

In addition, 49ers veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks has been cleared for full practice after sitting out last week with a calf injury, Shanahan said.

Kendricks, a 10-year NFL veteran who remains on the practice squad, could make his debut with the 49ers when they return to action at the Indianapolis Colts on Monday night.

Pearsall, guard Spencer Burford (ankle, knee), defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (knee) and linebacker Nick Martin (concussion) were not scheduled to practice Thursday, Shanahan said.

Linebacker Tatum Bethune (ankle) and defensive end Sam Okuayinonu (ankle) appear to be making good progress and could return to face the Colts on Monday. Both were scheduled for limited practice after missing multiple games with their injuries.

Cornerback Renardo Green (neck) and defensive lineman Yetur Gross-Matos (hamstring) were scheduled for limited practice, too. Gross-Matos remains on the injured reserve list.“

Kyle Shanahan previews 49ers-Colts Week 16 matchup
“What is it about the NFL and the quarterback position where a 44-year-old with diminishing physical skills can have more success than a 22-year-old with all the physical skills in the world?

“Because when you go against defenses, like it’s very rare, you just pick up Seattle last week, you’re not going to run away from something like that. You don’t out-athletic ever a really good defense, very rarely. Or you have to be on an elite level, like someone like [former NFL QB Michael] Vick or [Baltimore Ravens QB] Lamar [Jackson] or something like that just to athletically run away from teams. You’ve got to be able to get rid of the ball. And to be able to get rid of the ball, it’s a unique talent that doesn’t, it’s just some people have it and some people don’t. Whether it’s vision, whether it’s arm-throwing angles, whether it’s mental processing or whether it’s just your feel and clear mind in the pocket. But, when things are moving fast at an elite level, athletically, it’s really hard to get away from those guys. It’s about getting rid of the ball and letting someone else do it.“

Do 49ers teammates think Brandon Aiyuk quit on the team? Mailbag (paywall)
“If Campbell was a flameout, Aiyuk is more of a fadeout. The 49ers players know him and like him. And their rhetoric has been different than what it was last December. Here’s what Ricky Pearsall said Sunday, a day after Aiyuk was put on the reserve/left team list.

“I understand that there are things he may have done that (the team) didn’t agree with — whatever happened in the past with his whole entire contract situation,” Pearsall said. “What I do know is he’s a good dude. That’s what I do know. And I do know that he’s OK and he will be OK. And I just think we should be careful in judging the man because you don’t know what he’s going through with the emotions he has.

“I think it’s easy to point fingers … and see what his faults are. But at the end of the day, this is much bigger than a game.”

49ers’ Kyle Shanahan says Brandon Aiyuk has been ‘extremely distant’ since 2024 (paywall)
“I didn’t get to hang out around Aiyuk much since he tore his ACL in Week 7,” Shanahan said. “So (I’ve) been trying to get him back to our team really since then and haven’t been able to pull that off. So I haven’t totally had the opportunity to get him part of our team. He has been extremely distant since he got hurt. I was hoping it would happen once he got healthy, but (that) never happened.”…..Aiyuk was with the team throughout much of training camp. He was regularly at practices and attended their preseason game in Las Vegas on Aug. 16, catching passes from quarterback Brock Purdy during warmups. After the game, Purdy said of Aiyuk, “You can tell he wants to get back out there and compete, which I love.”

During camp, offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak said Aiyuk was “engaged” in offensive meetings and was helping wide receiver coach Leonard Hankerson as “kind of (a) coach on the side.”

On Thursday, Shanahan was reminded about this summer’s version of Aiyuk, which clearly wasn’t distant from the team. So was there more happening behind the scenes?

Said Shanahan: “I think obviously.”

49ers bolster interior O-line in 2026 NFL mock draft
“Renner has San Francisco using the No. 27 overall pick on Oregon offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon, whom he ranks as the fourth-best interior offensive line prospect in the class.

“Pregnon is an explosive athlete at left guard who’s had a breakout season for the Ducks,” Renner wrote. “His ability to play on the move would be perfect for a Kyle Shanahan scheme. He’s allowed only three pressures all season.”

Pregnon (6-foot-5, 318 pounds) has posted elite Pro Football Focus grades in 2025, earning an 87.0 overall offensive grade, an 86.9 run-blocking grade, and an 87.7 pass-blocking grade.“