Kyle Shanahan is back at practice after a scary car accident, ready for year number ten as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, looking to build on the 49ers’ 12-5 campaign from a year ago. Klay Kubiak returns for his second season as offensive coordinator. Brock Purdy is back at quarterback. Christian McCaffrey returns as the lead back. Jordan James will look to replace Brian Robinson’s production in a backup role. The 49ers return five of their top eight receivers from a year ago and did a wonderful job upgrading talent in the offseason. George Kittle remains the tight end. Mike Evans comes over from Tampa, Deebo Samuel is back after spending time in Washington, and the 49ers have big plans for Ole Miss rookie De’Zhaun Stribling. Ricky Pearsall will miss the season with a knee injury. The 49ers offensive line returns Trent Williams, Jake Brendel, Dominick Puni, and Colton McKivitz and welcomes in University of Washington rookie Carver Willis at left guard.
Raheem Morris will take over as defensive coordinator after spending last year as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. San Francisco lost its top tackler Dee Winters, but returned eight of their top eleven tacklers from a season ago. Nick Bosa is looking to get back in action after only playing three games last year. Sam Okuayinonu returns on the defensive line, but will start the year on IR. Linebacker Fred Warner played just six games a year ago and is looking to get back into game shape as soon as possible. Tatum Bethune and Luke Gifford return. The 49ers welcome a few new players as Osa Odighizuwa comes over from Dallas, Dre Greenlaw returns after a year in Denver, and they welcome in Louisiana rookie Jaden Dugger. The secondary returns Renardo Green, Deommodore Lenoir, Malik Mustapha, Ji’Ayir Brown, and Upton Stout. The 49ers also welcome in Jack Jones from the Dolphins and Nate Hobbs from the Packers.
Brant Boyer is back for his second season as the special teams coordinator. Eddy Piñeiro returns as placekicker after connecting on 28 of 29 field goals a year ago. Corliss Waitman had an interesting final week of the preseason, as he was released during roster cuts before being brought back and is expected to handle the punting duties. Jacob Cowing will again handle punt returns, while Cowing and Jordan Watkins are among the options on kickoffs. The 49ers, much like the Rams, played outstanding football last year and were beaten by a better Seahawks team that went on to win the Super Bowl. San Francisco was hit hard last year with the injury bug. The sky is the limit if they can stay healthy.