Matt Barrows

Attention “Lord of the Rings” fans: You have a kindred spirit in NFL star George Kittle, who sees himself as Strider but who’s contemplating a Sauron tattoo. Yes, it’s complicated … #LOTR #49ers www.nytimes.com/athletic/599...

Six and a half years later, an admission: Yep, we probably should have kept DeForest Buckner ... www.nytimes.com/athletic/772...

#49ers Minutia Minute: * Purdy’s rating to WRs was … yeesh * Mixed day for Black * Watkins’ eye-popping average * Why so few QB pressures * D-line standout was … James Thompson? * Jack Jones’ rough day * Snap counts * More! www.nytimes.com/athletic/772...

#49ers Minutia Minute: * Purdy’s rating to WRs was … yeesh * Mixed day for Black * Watkins’ eye-popping average * Why so few QB pressures * D-line standout was … James Thompson? * Jack Jones’ rough day * Snap counts * More! www.nytimes.com/athletic/772...

49ers minutia minute: Brock Purdy didn’t complete a pass to a 49ers receiver until the third quarter … www.nytimes.com/athletic/772...

Christian McCaffrey's after-game diagnosis, per Kyle Shanahan: Mild hamstring strain.

New "49ers +/-" with @mattbarrows.bsky.social -- some repeated mistakes in the sloppy loss in Atlanta could lead to changes -Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/6mby... -Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/4...

Despite 49ers’ hot start, change is in the air … www.nytimes.com/athletic/772...

Despite 49ers’ hot start, change is in the air … www.nytimes.com/athletic/772...

McCaffrey heading into the game.

Christian McCaffrey is finally out of the blue medical tent. He was in it for the duration of the Falcons touchdown drive. He's still got his helmet on.

McCaffrey, of course, is/was slated to be a big part of the passing attack today. He played 16 wide receiver snaps last week against Washington.

That was Kaelon Black's first career TD. Strong blocks by Juszczyk, Puni, Colby and Watkins to get Black into the end zone.

Falcons had to go silent count on that third down.

The 49ers still haven't targeted a WR. The last time that happened was in 2Q last week (Mike Evans).

Christian McCaffrey, appropriately, goes over the top for the TD. He had 69 combined yards on that opening drive.

Based on warm-ups, the 49ers' starting WRs today will be Brandin Cooks and Jordan Watkins.

49ers jersey watch: 3 - WR Christian Kirk 41 - LB Jalen Graham 69 - T Enrique Cruz

49ers inactives QB Kurtis Rourke (3rd QB) DE Nick Bosa (calf) WR Mike Evans (Achilles) LB Luke Gifford (groin) WR Deebo Samuel (hamstring) S Marques Sigle (ankle) LB Garret Wallow (hamstring) T Enrique Cruz is active for the first time this season

Jed York is on the field here in Atlanta …

49ers usually have five or six WRs in uniform on game day. Tomorrow they’ll have: Brandin Cooks, Jacob Cowing, Christian Kirk and Jordan Watkins.

The 49ers made the following moves Saturday: - Activated WR Christian Kirk from IR. - Elevated from the practice squad: LB Jalen Graham, DE Ogbo Okoronkwo - Cut DT Kevin Givens from the practice squad

Fred Warner hit with two fines from Monday’s game — $47,762 for use of helmet and $17,911 for a hit on a defenseless player. It was Warner’s second use-of-helmet fine this season.

Which 49ers rookies have logged the most snaps? A 1-14 ranking and status report … www.nytimes.com/athletic/771...

Ranking the 49ers’ rookies: Jaden Dugger, Gracen Halton jump out in loaded class www.nytimes.com/athletic/771...

Two weeks ago, Nick Bosa (calf) told a handful of reporters that he was very optimistic he could play against WAS and ATL. A day after that, however, he experienced some soreness that caused him/the team to be more cautious, per Kyle Shanahan. Which is why Bosa remains out of action.

OUT for Sunday’s game in Atlanta: Nick Bosa (calf) Mike Evans (Achilles) Deebo Samuel (hamstring) Marques Sigle (ankle) Luke Gifford (groin) Garret Wallow (hamstring) Questionable: Siran Neal (knee) Upton Stout (shoulder) Christian Kirk (calf)

New "49ers +/-" with @mattbarrows.bsky.social -- can Sunday in Atlanta be a trap game if everybody knows it's a trap game -- and if the 49ers play it safe and rest Evans and Bosa? -Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/7IhX... -Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/4...

Ranking the 49ers’ rookies: Jaden Dugger, Gracen Halton jump out in loaded class www.nytimes.com/athletic/771...

49ers DE Romello Height, with a club, new helmet and new cleats, is finding his groove www.nytimes.com/athletic/771...

49ers DE Romello Height, with a club, new helmet and new cleats, is finding his groove www.nytimes.com/athletic/771...

49ers minutia minute: - Brock outruns Jayden - CMC plays a lot of WR - Incoming Kirk? - Another clean sheet for Williams - Romello’s best so far - Why Ashtyn Davis - Solution at PR - Snap counts - More! www.nytimes.com/athletic/770...

A terrific insider's look inside the headset network at an NFL game. Kudos to @sandonfl.bsky.social, @jourdanrodrigue.bsky.social and The Athletic graphics team that put this together. A+ creativity ... www.nytimes.com/athletic/int...

49ers minutia minute: - Brock outruns Jayden - CMC plays a lot of WR - Incoming Kirk? - Another clean sheet for Williams - Romello’s best so far - Why Ashtyn Davis - Solution at PR - Snap counts - More! www.nytimes.com/athletic/770...

49ers +/-: Monday’s was a Dre Greenlaw-ish performance for the SF defense — violent, frenetic and sometimes over the line …https://youtu.be/rO_-PteiKvM?si=cc7ZwY_RxsdyI5LK

In need of a roster spot for Dre Greenlaw, the 49ers cut DT Naquan Jones. The team will have to make another move if WR Christian Kirk is activated this week.

On a night when the 49ers offense faded, Malik Mustapha and the defense finished with a bang www.nytimes.com/athletic/770...

On a night when the 49ers offense faded, Malik Mustapha and the defense finished with a bang www.nytimes.com/athletic/770...

Mike Evans (Achilles) is questionable to return.

Based on warm-ups, the 49ers’ starting WRs will be Mike Evans and Jordan Watkins.

49ers’ inactives: Kurtis Rourke (3rd QB) Nick Bosa Deebo Samuel Marques Sigle Garret Wallow Enrique Cruz Naquan Jones

The 49ers today released C/G Brett Toth from injured reserve with an injury settlement.

Romello Height (illness), Gracen Halton (quad) & James Thompson (ankle) on hand for the start of practice, but no Nick Bosa. It's looking like his return will be Week 7, barring a setback. It also appears Mike Evans will not practice at all this week w/ rib/Achilles issues.

No Nick Bosa (calf) at practice, but James Thompson (ankle) was on hand at the start. Gracen Halton (quad) in uniform but working out on side field No Romello Height. No official word on him, but he is in the Kittle/McKivitz locker room illness orbit ... www.nytimes.com/athletic/762...

49ers +/-: Christian Kirk is practicing again, but who will be the Deebo replacement Monday against Washington? TK and discuss ... www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MjH...

Examining the 49ers’ early-season feat: Generating pressure without Nick Bosa www.nytimes.com/athletic/769...

New "49ers +/-" with @mattbarrows.bsky.social -- updates on Bosa, Deebo, Evans and others. Also: Is Vita Vea the perfect trade target? How about a WR? -Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/1lYZ... -Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/4...