49ers News: On to Minnesota

Kyle Shanahan provides injury updates on McCaffrey, Hufanga, others

“Shanahan did not clarify that timeline, but he did clarify the Achilles part of McCaffrey’s injury. He only told reporters last week that it was a calf/Achilles injury and not just a calf injury as initially stated. It’s Achilles tendinitis, and McCaffrey likely would’ve played in a playoff game in the same situation.

“Definitely I believe that if it was a playoff game he would have played, but when it’s not just the calf, it’s the Achilles,” Shanahan said. “The Achilles is tendinitis, and that stuff comes and goes, and when it is acting up, it’s something you got to be very careful about. Christian is very diligent about that stuff. If it was a playoff game, he made it very clear to me he believed he could go. But when you hear that type of stuff, and it’s not a playoff game, and it’s week one, and especially when you’re dealing with the lower extremities like that, that was a tough decision, but hearing all the words and stuff in the long run, it made it easy.”

ESPN’s Adam Schefter intimated McCaffrey could miss Sunday’s game in Minnesota. Something worth thinking about: the 49ers’ next two games are both on turf. Would the 49ers risk McCaffrey at less than 100 percent on turf fields with an Achilles in play? Perhaps, but it wouldn’t be a monumental surprise if he misses the next couple.”

Willis cherishes unbreakable bond with ‘special’ 49ers fan base

“While Willis’ days of suiting up for the Red and Gold are long gone, his connection to the fan base remains strong as ever, with the Faithful never foregoing an opportunity to shower the legendary linebacker with the same undying affection he grew accustomed to during his playing days in the Bay Area.”

49ers’ junk-food-loving Jordan Mason devours Jets in first career start (paywall)

“As a rookie, San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason popped sugar-crusted Life Savers throughout the day and horrified fullback Kyle Juszczyk with some of his other dietary decisions.

Juszczyk, 33, a 12-year veteran who attributes his longevity partly to red-light therapy, stem-cell treatment and clean eating, would nearly hit the roof when Mason would hit the Ruffles for brunch.

“Believe me, I was all over Jordan about his diet early,” Juszczyk said Monday night after the 49ers’ 32-19 win over the Jets. “It wouldn’t even be 10 a.m. and he’d be eating potato chips in meetings. And I’d explain to him, ‘Dude, if you were at home and it’s 9:30 (a.m.), would you be eating potato chips right now?’ Sometimes rookies, they’ve just got to learn on the run.”

49ers minutia minute: Details on Christian McCaffrey; Brock Purdy’s mature game (paywall)

“One of the game’s best matchups pitted Lenoir, a rising young cornerback, against Garrett Wilson, the Jets’ top receiver. Wilson caught four of six passes for 38 yards in those situations. Most of them, however, were difficult grabs with tight coverage from Lenoir, who in the third quarter deflected a pass to Wilson into the air, leading to an interception by Flannigan-Fowles.”

Thompson: Brock Purdy upstages Aaron Rodgers with the veteran poise the 49ers will need (paywall)

“His offensive line had some struggles and rust. And Purdy didn’t have all his weapons clicking. He was facing a unit touted as one of the best in the league, led by the all-world defensive tackle Quinnen Williams. And this was Rodgers’ much-anticipated debut after rupturing his Achilles four snaps into last season’s opener. Also known as the Jets’ Super Bowl. Yeah, this game was set up for Purdy’s demise.

And while he didn’t blow the doors off anyone — 19-for-29 passing, 231 yards — he certainly was the best quarterback on the field. While the run game anchored the attack, a luxury Rodgers certainly could’ve used, Purdy was adept at playing off it.”

49ers rookie Puni shines in ‘awesome’ NFL debut vs. Jets

“Despite earning the praise of one of the NFL’s greatest linebackers, Puni didn’t leave Monday’s contest satisfied, citing there still is plenty to improve on while graciously praising his teammates for the feedback they give that allows him to continue growing as a player.

“I had flashes for sure, I had good moments, but at the same time a lot to clean up,” Puni said. “ You could tell they were throwing some looks, I feel like for me on the D-line, they were trying to get some guys [to] get me out of position a little bit. Definitely a lot of things to learn from, but all the guys do a hell of a job keeping me in the mix and letting me know.”

Puni overcame an incredibly difficult task in his first start, squaring off with a ferocious Jets front four that includes All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and former 49ers first-round pick Javon Kinlaw.

The rookie guard detailed how this trial by fire could help set him up for sustained success as he continues to embark on his first NFL season

“That’s partly why I’m glad it was Monday night and that D-line, especially. Because you got Quinnen Williams and [Javon] Kinlaw,” Puni said. “Those are two real big bodies, so from here on out, there’s not many guys better than Quinnen Williams. So I think it’s great experience for me to kind of start out that way.”

How PFF graded Purdy, 49ers in dominant Week 1 win vs. Jets

“Purdy’s overall grade of 89.6 was the highest of any quarterback in Week 1. Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold was No. 2 at 88.1. Purdy’s sweet spot is still 10-19 yards downfield, which is where the 49ers signal-caller threw a perfect 7-for-7 for 120 yards.”

49ers RB Christian McCaffrey’s status uncertain vs. Vikings

“After the game, Mason told ESPN’s Lisa Salters in an on-field interview that he found out “maybe Friday night” that he would get his first NFL start. Shanahan said no such decision was made until Monday, when McCaffrey arrived at Levi’s Stadium with his injury “bothering him a little too much where he didn’t feel good about it.” Shanahan added that he didn’t inform Mason he was starting until Monday and suggested that perhaps running backs coach Bobby Turner or another coach told Mason he was starting as a way to “pump him up” earlier in the week.”

PFF’s best and worst graded 49ers players vs. Jets, plus snap counts

“Fred Warner earned the highest grade of the game (92.6), finishing with seven tackles and a forced fumble. It was his highest grade since the Divisional Playoff game against the Green Bay Packers during the 2021 season (94.2). Despite missing two tackles, contributing to a low 38.6 tackling grade, Warner excelled in coverage, earning a superb 92.9 coverage grade and allowing just one reception for three yards.

Defensive end Nick Bosa had the second-highest grade of the game at 90.5, his highest mark since Week 10 against the Jacksonville Jaguars last season (93.6). He posted the top pass-rushing grade (87.8) and led in run defense with a 75.1 grade. Bosa earned a game-high five pressures.

Cornerback Charvarius Ward was the highest-graded defensive back, allowing only two receptions for 14 yards on five targets. Newcomer Isaac Yiadom also impressed with a solid 70.3 defensive grade, giving up two receptions for 29 yards on four targets.”