NFC West
San Francisco 49ers
AI Summary
San Francisco won 12 games and made the playoffs in 2025 despite a brutal injury run, and camp has already followed the same script: head coach Kyle Shanahan is working back from a serious July 14 car accident (broken ribs, a broken hand and nose, and a concussion) that has limited him on the practice field, though GM John Lynch says he isn't expected to miss Week 1. The Niners rebuilt the receiver room around Brock Purdy by signing Mike Evans and Christian Kirk and re-signing Deebo Samuel, but training camp has been hit hard again -- WR Ricky Pearsall was lost for the season, TE George Kittle is rehabbing an Achilles tear on the PUP list, and RB Christian McCaffrey has dealt with 'tightness.' Most 2026 previews still peg San Francisco as a playoff-caliber roster behind Purdy and Fred Warner, but a win total in the 9.5-10.5 range and rankings in the 12-13 area nationally reflect real concern about depth and health in a stacked NFC West behind Seattle and the Rams.
Researched by Team Research Desk · last updated August 20, 2026
Key Storylines
- HC Kyle Shanahan recovering from a serious July 14 car accident (broken ribs, hand and nose, concussion); GM John Lynch does not expect him to miss Week 1
- WR Mike Evans signed to a 3-year deal and WR Deebo Samuel re-signed on a one-year deal to remake the receiver room around Brock Purdy
- TE George Kittle opened camp on PUP rehabbing the Achilles tear suffered in January's playoff win, targeting a Week 1 return
- WR Ricky Pearsall placed on season-ending IR due to lingering issues from his 2025 PCL injury
- Season opens Sept. 10 against the Rams in Melbourne, Australia, as camp has been marred by injuries including RB Christian McCaffrey ('tightness') and a torn ACL for rookie DE Mikail Kamara
Injury Report
Ricky Pearsall · WR
IR
Placed on season-ending injured reserve due to lingering issues from a 2025 PCL injury.
George Kittle · TE
PUP
Opened training camp on the Active/PUP list rehabbing an Achilles tear suffered in the January playoff win over Philadelphia; says he is ahead of schedule and hopeful for Week 1.
Christian McCaffrey · RB
Limited
Missed practice time with 'tightness'; team and reporting indicate it is not considered serious or contract-related.
Isaac Guerendo · RB
PUP
Opened training camp on the Active/PUP list.
Mykel Williams · DL
PUP
Opened training camp on the Active/PUP list.
Alfred Collins · DL
PUP
Opened training camp on the Active/PUP list.
Jordan James · RB
Injured
Suffered fractured ribs during a padless camp practice when LB Fred Warner threw a punch at the ball he was carrying.
Mikail Kamara · DE
IR
Rookie UDFA tore his ACL during a training camp practice and was waived/injured, reverting to injured reserve.