San Francisco
49ers

The San Francisco 49ers are fortifying their wide receiver corps by signing veteran Brandin Cooks to the practice squad. This move comes as the team grapples with multiple injuries at the position, including the season-ending absence of Ricky Pearsall and extended layoffs for De’Zhaun Stribling and Demarcus Robinson. Cooks, a 13-year veteran, joins his seventh NFL team. He spent last season with the Saints and Bills, amassing 24 catches for 279 yards over 15 games. His playoff performance with the Bills saw him catch five passes for 78 yards in two contests. Over his extensive career, Cooks boasts 734 receptions for 9,811 yards and 60 touchdowns, with six seasons surpassing 1,000 receiving yards. His addition provides much-needed depth and experience for an offense that has relied heavily on its tight ends and running game amidst receiver attrition. Despite a dominant 2-0 start, highlighted by significant wins over the Rams and Dolphins, the 49ers' run defense presents a notable area for improvement. While ranked 17th in rushing yards allowed per game (112.0), deeper analysis reveals struggles, particularly in first halves. Their rush EPA allowed per play plummets to 30th in the NFL in the initial halves, with the worst success rate allowed in the league at 60.6%. This deficiency, masked by the offense's overwhelming performance, could become critical in closer matchups. In contrast, the pass defense remains a strength, ranking highly in EPA allowed and success rate. Offensively, Brock Purdy continues to exceed expectations, earning an A+ for his Week 2 performance. His efficiency, accuracy, and ability to extend plays have been pivotal. The tight end group, particularly George Kittle, also received an 'A', with their blocking and explosive playmaking capabilities proving invaluable, especially with the depleted receiver situation. The running backs earned a C+, their limited volume a byproduct of the offense's aerial success. Wide receivers, while receiving a B-, face uncertainty with the injury bug. The offensive line, graded a B-, showed flashes of solid performance but faces challenges against top-tier pass rushers. On the defensive side, the line received a B+, with Nick Bosa continuing his elite pressure rate. Keion White shows disruptive flashes, though missed tackles and occasional blown assignments persist. Gracen Halton emerged as a standout interior defensive lineman, excelling in pressures and run stops, though conditioning limits his snap count. Linebackers logged a C+, with Fred Warner having uncharacteristic lapses and Dre Greenlaw's run stops largely attributed to scheme. Coaching received a flawless A+, with Kyle Shanahan and Raheem Morris lauded for their strategic adjustments and game planning against opponents. Shanahan's offensive sequencing and Morris's defensive adaptability, including increased blitzing and personnel utilization, have been key to the team's early success. In off-field news, an alleged victim has reportedly informed the 49ers of Daejon Love's purported impersonation scheme in December 2025. The team maintains they were unaware of Love until the FBI contacted them in August 2026, indicating a potential disconnect in internal reporting or awareness.