The 49ers may be getting a little extra breathing room heading into their season opener against the Rams, and this time the concern sits on the other side of the line.
Los Angeles defensive end Myles Garrett was held out of the Rams’ first practice of the week because of a knee injury he has been managing through camp. That absence stands out after he missed different stretches of the preseason with swelling in the knee, even though he returned to practice on Sunday and is expected to play in Week 1.
It is still a situation worth watching closely. The Rams already made the trip to Australia without Aaron Donald, and now they could be looking at a less-than-full-strength Garrett as well. That matters because Garrett has shown he can wreck a game even when he is not at 100 percent, and he still owns the NFL single-season record with 23.0 sacks.
For San Francisco, any dip in Garrett’s effectiveness would be welcome while the 49ers continue sorting through some early issues on their offensive line. Garrett would likely be matched up with left tackle Trent Williams, but the bigger concern for the 49ers may be the inexperience at left guard, which could leave the middle of the line vulnerable to the kind of stunts and games Garrett thrives on.
If the Rams pull back even a little on what Garrett can do, that would give a questionable 49ers front one less problem to solve in Week 1.
In Other News...
49ers Lose Another D Lineman As One Front Issue Grows
San Franciscos defensive front took another hit Monday when defensive tackle Alfred Collins suffered a torn patellar tendon, a setback that will keep him out for the entire season. Kyle Shanahan confirmed the injury, adding another layer of uncertainty to a group that has already had to deal with its share of moving parts up front.
The 49ers are now looking at practice squad call-ups to patch the roster spot, a reminder that depth on the defensive line can disappear quickly over the course of a season. Collins is expected to be ready for training camp in 2026 if his recovery goes well, but for now the immediate concern is how San Francisco keeps its rotation intact without another key body in the middle. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Week 1 Just Got Tougher For A Reason Rams Fans Love
The Rams head into Week 1 in Australia without Aaron Donald, who will not play or travel for the opener, a blow any opponent would feel and one the 49ers will have to factor into their own early-season planning. Even with that absence, Los Angeles is still shaping up as a tricky opening test, especially with wide receiver Puka Nacua expected to be available as the league continues to sort through offseason allegations surrounding him.
Alaric Jackson is also expected to play despite a recent domestic violence charge, a situation that stands in contrast to other players who have landed on the NFL commissioner exempt list. For the 49ers, the bigger picture is simple: a divisional rival opens the year with key names on the field and one of the league's most disruptive defenders out of the mix, which changes the tone of the matchup even before kickoff. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Suddenly Face A Bigger Stability Question Than Fans Expected
The 49ers have already spent much of this offseason dealing with the usual roster-and-coaching chatter that follows a disappointing finish, but a new report is pushing the conversation higher up the ladder. Jason La Canfora, writing for Casino Guru, says there is unrest inside the ownership group and points to a turbulent stretch around the franchise, with anonymous sources describing personal conflicts within the York family and a sense that the organization is entering a more uncertain phase.
The report also folds in the departure of executive Paraag Marathe and broader speculation about the teams direction, including possible coaching changes and a decline in stability around the building. Even so, the claims come with a caution flag attached, given the questions that have followed La Canforas reporting in the past, which leaves this as the kind of story 49ers fans will keep an eye on rather than take at face value just yet. [Read more 🡒]