49ers News: The vibes are falling short but Sunday is a new day

Aiyuk irks Shanahan by wearing wrong shorts to 49ers practice

“Aiyuk put on black shorts to fit the team’s dress code for the day, and presumably the practice — a shortened practice, fittingly — continued.

When asked if being outfitted in the wrong-color shorts is a punishable offense, Shanahan said, “No. I wish I could wear different shorts.”

Deebo, Williams, Hufanga questionable for 49ers-Patriots game

“Williams reported to the team’s facility on Friday morning with a soreness that places his availability in question for the Week 4 game.

The 49ers initially expected Samuel to miss at least two games with a calf injury. He sustained the injury in the 49ers’ Week 2 loss to the Minnesota Vikings and did not play Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams.

Speaking earlier Friday on KNBR, 49ers general manager John Lynch said Samuel must prove he is physically capable of returning to action in order to play against the Patriots.

“If he’s ready, if he’s hit all the markers, that would be a really nice surprise to have him back,” Lynch said.”

49ers vs. Patriots: The Standard’s 5 fast predictions

“Jennings was a monster last week. He might not have good straight-line speed, but he’s a great separator — and that’ll come in handy against all the man-to-man coverage the Patriots run. Also, expect Aiyuk to be a defensive focal point again. That helped set up Jennings for his huge game against L.A.”

Shanahan details how 49ers match up with Patriots’ offense, defense

“It all comes from the same foundation; Brian [Flores] has put his own personality on it, his own spin,” Shanahan told Greg Papa on NBC Sports Bay Area’s “49ers Game Plan.” “But the fronts and the threats of blitz, things like that, going back in a zone, it’s extremely similar. They probably play a little more man than Minnesota’s doing. Maybe a little bit less [cover] zero. But it’s all still there, so you can tell where Brian came from.

“As all coordinators do, you’re a product of your environment. But once you branch out, it suddenly becomes your own. So there are some differences, but it’s definitely obvious it comes from the same tree.”

49ers eyeing statuses of Samuel, Williams ahead of Pats game

“After getting through the week without any issues for his injured hamstring, tight end George Kittle will play Sunday, and if things go the way the 49ers hope, receiver Deebo Samuel (calf) could join him after being listed as questionable.

But left tackle Trent Williams was a surprise addition to the injury report Friday. He sat out Wednesday’s practice because of an illness, then injured his toe in Thursday’s session. Williams was seen moving slowly out of the locker room after Friday’s practice and is listed as questionable.”

The 49ers’ most problematic positions and what they can do to fix them (paywall)

“McKivitz is tied for the most pressures given up by an offensive tackle this season with 13: three sacks, one quarterback hit and nine quarterback hurries. He ended last season with 59 pressures, tying him with the Kansas City Chiefs’ Jawaan Taylor and the Cincinnati Bengals’ Orlando Brown Jr.for most in the NFL by a tackle.”

Shanahan believes ‘Patriot Way’ lives on after Belichick, Brady exits

““Definitely. With Mayo taking over, people have been there on defense,” Shanahan told Papa when asked if the Patriot Way still is evident. “They’ve had three games so far, but the scheme’s the same, the mentality is the same. Bill has had that scheme there for 20 years. Their head coach played in it, he’s coached in it for a long time, so he knows it inside and out also.

The defensive coordinator has done both of those also. Just to watch them on tape for these three games, it’s very similar. They do the same things, their fronts, their coverages and just the fundamentals of how they run, how they tackle, how they shed blocks. It’s a very good defense and they’re going to be a very good team throughout this year.”

Kyle Shanahan shares final updates ahead of 49ers-Patriots Week 4 matchup

“San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke with reporters after Friday’s practice as the team prepares for its Week 4 matchup against the New England Patriots. Here’s everything he shared.”

Five 49ers to watch in Sunday’s game vs. rebuilding Patriots

“Hufanga’s return to the lineup gives the 49ers’ secondary some stability, and now he has to play a role in tightening up the team’s pass defense.”

49ers LB Robinson out for season with injury sustained in practice

“Robinson suffered a season-ending torn ACL, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed Friday.

Robinson, 26, was one of the 49ers’ core special-teams players and might have worked his way into a more significant role with the team’s struggles on defense. In the first three games, he was on the field for 59 plays on special teams — or 78 percent of the 49ers’ plays in the kicking game.”

How will the 49ers’ defense change without Javon Hargrave?

“It’s possible Hargrave’s absence could mean even more attention is paid to Bosa off the edge, though teams generally use true double teams more often against interior pass rushers. Collins, who is third on the team with a 16.2% pass rush win rate, could also see an uptick in extra blockers without Hargrave around.

That means the 49ers will have to figure out who out of Elliott (who was added to the injury report Thursday), Givens and Gross-Matos might fare the best in one-on-one situations. While Givens has had the longest track record, the answer might be Gross-Matos.”