49ers Injury Updates, Rookie Developments, and a Veteran’s Redemption Arc Headline Week 15
As the 49ers come off a late-season bye and gear up for their Week 15 matchup against the Titans, the team’s health and depth continue to be front and center. Six players missed Wednesday’s practice, including veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks, who is dealing with a tight calf.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan didn’t commit to Kendricks’ availability, noting the team would see how he responds once he gets back on the field. It’s a situation worth monitoring, especially with the 49ers’ defense hitting its stride and depth becoming even more critical down the stretch.
There was some good news on the injury front, though. Kicker Eddy Piñeiro returned to practice after missing time with a hamstring issue. His return provides some stability to the special teams unit heading into a crucial stretch of the season.
Shanahan Embraces a Rare December Bye
Shanahan also reflected on the unusual timing of the team’s bye week, which landed deep into December this year. For a coach who’s usually locked into the grind, the late break offered a rare chance to hit pause.
“I spent it hanging out with the family, relaxing,” Shanahan said. “It was fun to kind of just watch football Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday just from a fan perspective.”
It’s not often you hear an NFL head coach talk about catching up on sleep and enjoying three full meals a day, but Shanahan took full advantage of the downtime. And now, with the regular season entering its final stretch, he’s recharged and ready for what he calls “the best time of the year in football.”
Rookie QB Kurtis Rourke Begins His NFL Journey
For rookie quarterback Kurtis Rourke, the journey is just beginning. This week marks the start of what the 49ers hope will be a long and productive NFL career. Rourke, who played five years at Ohio before transferring to Indiana, brings a wealth of experience - something the 49ers have increasingly valued in their quarterback evaluations.
At 6-foot-4½, Rourke has the size and arm talent that stand out, even in a room with Brock Purdy and Brandon Allen. While his mobility numbers dipped at Indiana - he finished with negative rushing yards after averaging over 260 per season at Ohio - Rourke embraced the shift in play style.
“I definitely stayed in the pocket a little bit more than normal,” he said earlier this year. “But I loved being able to sit back in the pocket and beat people with my mind.”
That cerebral approach fits well with Shanahan’s offense, which demands quick reads and precise execution. Rourke’s 1,283 college pass attempts put him in the same ballpark as Purdy’s 1,467 - a clear contrast to the more raw profile of Trey Lance, who entered the league with just 318 attempts.
Spencer Burford’s Comeback Story Gains Momentum
Few players on the 49ers roster have had a more resilient season than Spencer Burford. The former fourth-round pick was sidelined with an injury and had to wait nearly two years for another starting opportunity. Since returning in Week 9, he’s made the most of it - allowing just one sack in five starts and posting four clean sheets.
Burford’s journey back to the field wasn’t just physical; it was mental. He leaned on All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams for support, training with him in Houston during the offseason and shadowing him throughout OTAs and training camp. That mentorship clearly paid dividends.
By now, Burford has learned every position on the offensive line except center - a testament to his commitment to getting back on the field, in any role.
“Everybody comes in with this imaginary picture, this imaginary clock of what they think they want to happen by a certain timeline,” Burford said. “Sometimes it just don’t go like that.”
His goals remain ambitious - five Pro Bowls, three All-Pro selections, and at least one Super Bowl. But after everything he’s been through, he’s also learned to appreciate the journey and adjust expectations without losing the fire.
“It definitely shrunk,” Burford said with a laugh. “After going through what you go through, you got to be more realistic.”
Looking Ahead: Defensive Line Reinforcements?
As the 49ers continue to reshape their defensive line, one name that’s surfaced in early 2026 mock drafts is Florida’s Caleb Banks. At 6-foot-6 and 329 pounds, Banks brings rare size and raw power that’s hard to ignore, even though a foot injury limited him to just three games this season.
Banks logged only 90 snaps before the injury, but his physical traits - including 35-inch arms and a powerful punch at the point of attack - have evaluators intrigued. He’s the kind of high-upside prospect who could help the 49ers force more third-and-longs, a crucial piece in today’s pass-heavy league.
Final Thoughts
With the playoffs looming, the 49ers are entering a critical stretch of the season. Health remains a concern, but the return of key contributors and the emergence of young talent like Rourke and Burford offer plenty of reasons for optimism. Shanahan’s squad is rested, reloaded, and ready to make its push - and if recent weeks are any indication, this team is built to weather just about anything.