Latest news with #BrockPurdy
USA Today
32 minutes ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Chargers QB Trey Lance leads list of Hall of Fame Game's winners and losers
NFL football is back. Sort of. Sort of NFL football. Regardless, the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Game was the first time any of the league's teams had met between the lines since Super Bowl 59 – and, sadly, Thursday night's contest was somehow exponentially less suspenseful than the Philadelphia Eagles' one-night dismantling of the Kansas City Chiefs' dynasty in February. The Los Angeles Chargers' 34-7 shellacking of the Detroit Lions in Canton, Ohio, didn't feature many players likely to contribute much to those teams this season. But hey, let's celebrate the sorta kinda return of NFL football anyway with a few of the winners and losers now that the league's preseason is officially underway: WINNERS The high point of his NFL career was being the No. 3 overall pick of the 2021 draft by the San Francisco 49ers. Since then, Lance has been held back by injury, inexperience and lack of opportunity – Brock Purdy taking advantage of his absence with the Niners before Lance sat behind Dak Prescott for two years with the Dallas Cowboys. Balling out in a preseason game won't erase years of frustration for Lance, but he flashed the talent commensurate with a man taken so high in the draft – ripping the ball downfield, making good decisions and showing off his mobility. And, yes, he was playing against fellow backups, but the poise, confidence and joy was unmistakable as Lance finished 13-for-20 for 120 yards and two touchdowns through the air. Trey Lance finds KeAndre Lambert-Smith for the TD!@ProFootballHOF Game on NBCStream on @NFLPlus + Peacock Thursday's performance won't necessarily vault him past Taylor Heinicke to be Justin Herbert's primary backup for the Bolts. But Lance is playing for a coach, Jim Harbaugh, who's a former quarterback with a reputation for maximizing his passers. It was just 13 years ago that Harbaugh rolled with little-known dual-threat QB Colin Kaepernick over former No. 1 pick Alex Smith, a decision that propelled the 49ers all the way to Super Bowl 47. Just sayin'. The undrafted Chargers rookie corner carried his training camp momentum over into his professional debut, picking off a pass and returning it 60 yards to set up LA's second first-quarter touchdown. And make no mistake, there are jobs and reps to be won in this secondary. we see you, rook📺 | @nflonnbc Earlier on Thursday, the HOF announced that KeyBank will sponsor a new event center, its construction scheduled to begin later this fall. The Hall hopes the venue, which will have nearly 20,000 square feet of space, will be open in time for the induction of the 2027 class of Hall of Famers. Heat and rain weather have been known to regularly disrupt enshrinement ceremonies – and the Hall of Fame Game, too – in recent years. A game that's been plagued and/or canceled by inclement weather, poor field conditions, COVID-19 and even the 2011 lockout in recent years was functionally played without a hitch. For a change. He last played in the NFL in 2022, suffering a torn ACL during a jet ski accident in the summer of 2023. Now trying to make the Chargers' roster, Miller-Hines' versatility fueled a positive first step Thursday. He had 79 all-purpose yards on 11 touches, getting eight carries and catching a pass while returning one punt and one kickoff. A fifth-year reserve linebacker for the Lions, he was a bright spot for Detroit's defense, making four tackles − including a sack and another for a loss. With Malcolm Rodriguez still recovering from a torn ACL, Stuard could create an opportunity to get on the field this season when Detroit loads the box. Lions coach Dan Campbell allowed Stuard to return the night's opening kickoff, which he advanced 26 yards … before fumbling. The Chargers were in the end zone five plays later. There's a reason linebackers don't return kickoffs, Coach ... though, to Stuard's credit he brought the next one back 36 yards. But overall, a tough outing for Detroit's special teams, Jakobie Keeney-James also muffing a punt on a night when the Lions finished with five turnovers. Neither Kyle Allen, who started behind center for Detroit, nor Hendon Hooker distinguished themselves while trying to earn the nod to back up Goff, the Lions' QB1, this year. Heading into his seventh season, Allen's experience should serve him well. And yet he served up a pair of bad interceptions instead − and both were poor decisions, not the functions of playing with bottom-of-the-roster players. And Hooker, a third-round pick two years ago who effectively took a medical redshirt as a rookie, still needs to show he's ready for a bigger role. He was also picked off, though his INT can be fairly attributed to rookie WR Dominic Lovett, who had the ball taken away from him downfield. The HOF Game typically pits two teams sending at least one former star into the Hall, and longtime Bolts TE Antonio Gates will be enshrined Saturday as will San Diego native Eric Allen. But not only did no Lions go in this year, two players who victimized them for years – former Green Bay Packers WR Sterling Sharpe and former Minnesota Vikings DE Jared Allen – will be honored. Sorry, Lions fans, you'll have to take pride in the fact Gates hails from Motown. All NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY's 4th and Monday newsletter.
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
49ers Linked to Possible Blockbuster Trade to Help Brock Purdy
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The San Francisco 49ers enter the 2025 NFL season as a potential contender. While they could be a contender, there is also a chance that they could miss the playoffs like they did last season. No one knows what to expect from the 49ers. Just two short years ago, San Francisco was in the Super Bowl. It lost to Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, but the 49ers were expected to be back. Then, the 2024 season arrived. Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers pass the ball against the Detroit Lions at Levi's Stadium on December 30, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers pass the ball against the Detroit Lions at Levi's Stadium on December 30, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. Photo byDue to a lot of injury issues and other facts as well, the team struggled. They missed the playoffs and went just 6-11 throughout the year. Read more: Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Linked to AFC Trade Scenario Throughout the 2025 NFL offseason, San Francisco lost quite a few talented players. One of those players was wide receiver Deebo Samuel. That has left a question mark for the 49ers at the wide receiver position. Brandon Aiyuk is coming back this season, but is coming off of a torn ACL that he suffered last year. Ricky Pearsall is expected to take a step forward, but that isn't a guarantee. Jauan Jennings is dealing with an injury during training camp. With that in mind, could the front office look to make a move to improve the position? How about a blockbuster trade for Washington Commanders star Terry McLaurin? McLaurin has officially requested a trade for the Commanders. The two sides were unable to work out a new contract and he could be on the move. Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports has suggested that San Francisco could be an ideal landing spot for him if he is traded. "The 49ers already gave the Commanders a starting wideout in Deebo Samuel. Now it might be time for Washington to repay the favor," Benjamin wrote. "We highly doubt Adam Peters has any interest in supplying a fellow NFC contender with a premium wideout, but what if John Lynch is desperate for immediate Brock Purdy help, what with Brandon Aiyuk and Ricky Pearsall battling recent or ongoing injuries? McLaurin would be a plug-and-play starter, and perhaps the Commanders could still get a quality veteran wideout, such as Jauan Jennings, as part of the move." Read more: Vikings Teammate Sends Clear Message on JJ McCarthy During the 2024 NFL season with Washington, McLaurin racked up 82 receptions for 1,096 yards and 13 touchdowns. He would immediately be Brock Purdy's number one target. Giving Purdy as many good weapons as the 49ers can is always a wise decision. If McLaurin truly is on the trade block, John Lynch would be wise to pursue him. Only time will tell if the Commanders will actually open to trading McLaurin. San Francisco is a team worth watching closely in the coming days as a potential suitor. For more on the San Francisco 49ers and general NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
New York Times
4 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Why Ricky Pearsall, finally back from injury, is so key to 49ers' passing attack
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Ricky Pearsall was poised to be the San Francisco 49ers' biggest storyline of the spring. He'd finished his rookie season on a roll, he'd spent the offseason building chemistry with Brock Purdy, he'd beeen getting starter snaps in the practices. And then … … he injured his hamstring on the eve of OTAs. The injury cost him the May and June sessions, and he only returned to practice — with a limited snap count — earlier this week. Still, the hype around Pearsall remains high, in part due to the 49ers' limited options at receiver. No timetable for Jauan Jennings (calf). And slow and steady for Ricky Pearsall. #49ers — Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) July 31, 2025 With Brandon Aiyuk (ACL) and Demarcus Robinson (expected DUI-related suspension) likely out of action to begin the regular season, the team is banking on Jauan Jennings and Pearsall being their starters on Sept. 7 in Seattle. Jennings is a known commodity — an extremely physical receiver who's a trusted target for Purdy even when he's well covered. Pearsall, however, might be the key to the passing attack. Advertisement When Aiyuk was lost for the season in October, the 49ers lost their top target against man coverage. Defenses became increasingly aggressive as the year wore on, frequently turning to press-man coverage when in previous years they might have used more zone. The 49ers hope Pearsall can make those defenses pay if they take a similar approach to start the season. He got high marks against man-to-man coverage at the end of 2024, especially in Week 17 against the Detroit Lions when he finished with eight catches, 141 yards and a touchdown. Though Pearsall only got eight snaps in team drills Thursday, he caught both passes that went his way, including one in which he spun around to snag a Mac Jones pass that was thrown behind him. Pearsall seemed noticeably bulked up during his media appearance Thursday and said he made beating tight, physical coverage a priority this offseason. 'There's a lot of one-on-one opportunities out there and you've got to win your matchups,' he said. 'That was my biggest takeaway going into the offseason.' Pearsall also noted he didn't have a chance to sharpen those skills at this time last year. He dealt with hamstring and shoulder issues in training camp and then was shot in the chest during a robbery attempt in San Francisco on Aug. 31. The bullet passed through him without causing any major damage, but he didn't make his NFL debut until Oct. 20. 'Those practices in between the games — that was like my training camp,' he said. 'I'm a practice player and I love practicing. You know, going out there you get to try (stuff) and you get to learn from it.' His recovery from the gunshot wound — and his remarkably upbeat attitude since the ordeal — also makes his 2025 story one of the NFL's most interesting. Pearsall acknowledges he thinks about the botched robbery 'every single night I go to bed' but said he strives to put it in as positive a light as possible. He said he's not quite ready to meet the teenager suspected of shooting him but is open to that in the future. Advertisement 'When it gets to that point where I can sit down and talk to the kid — I want to first see if he's open to it,' Pearsall said. 'That's also important to me. If he's not open to it, then it's not even going to be a thing. But yeah, it's definitely an opportunity that I'll probably do moving forward at some point.' • Ben Barch, who injured his quadriceps while weight lifting this summer, was back at practice Thursday. Bartch and Nick Zakelj alternated at left guard with the first-string offense though Bartch got the bulk of the snaps. Shanahan said he's looking forward to seeing a healthy Bartch compete against Zakelj, who took all the first-team snaps in the first six days of training camp. 'Bartch got his opportunity last year, played real good against Buffalo, and he was one of the guys I was excited to evaluate those last three games,' Shanahan said. 'But he got hurt on the third play of the game the next week.' • Nick Bosa, Christian McCaffrey and Trent Williams had scheduled rest days. Cornerback Renardo Green (hamstring), receiver Jacob Cowing (hamstring) and tackle Andre Dillard (ankle) were seen working out on a side field. Not seen: Jennings (calf), running back Jordan James (knee) and cornerback Deommodore Lenoir (hip irritation). Rookie defensive end Mykel Williams (ankle) returned to practice and lined up with the first-string defense. • The team shook up the back half of its receiver corps, signing free agents Andy Isabella and Marquez Callaway and releasing Equanimeous St. Brown and Malik Knowles. The 49ers also cut safety Jalen Mahoney and tackle Sebastian Gutierrez and added veteran running back Ameer Abdullah and fourth-string quarterback Carter Bradley, who is the son of assistant head coach Gus Bradley. Shanahan noted that Bradley threw to Abdullah, Isabella and the others who worked out Wednesday. Advertisement 'And he looked so good in the workout that it made us go in to watch his (college) clips,' Shanahan said of the younger Bradley, who played at Toledo and South Alabama. 'He had 38 passes last year and we really liked what we saw in the 38 passes. So we found a way to get him here.' • Ji'Ayir Brown symbolized the 49ers' lackluster 2024 season. On Thursday, he noted he injured his shoulder — it was a nerve issue that occurred when hitting Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce — late in the 2023 Super Bowl, which affected his offseason training. Because of that, Brown couldn't build off his promising 2023 rookie year and eventually lost his starting job in Week 14. The 49ers ended the season with Talanoa Hufanga and Malik Mustapha as their starting safeties. Brown said he's in a better spot this offseason. He took care of a lingering ankle injury in the spring and, with Hufanga in Denver and Mustapha (ACL) injured, he's alternated with Richie Grant at safety (opposite Jason Pinnock) so far in training camp. Brown got the bulk of the first-string snaps Thursday and said he's 'loving' how he feels this summer. 'I love where I'm at from a communication standpoint with this defense,' he said. 'My demeanor, my posture — everything is good.' • It was a good day for the 49ers' quarterbacks with Purdy going 8-of-8 in team situations, including a deep-ball strike down the left sideline to Robinson, who'd gotten past Pinnock. Purdy did have a fumble — it was hard to see who or what forced it — that was scooped up by linebacker Dee Winters, who seems to make one splash play per practice. Winters also had a nice 'thud' on running back Isaac Guerendo. Winters' understudy at weakside linebacker, rookie Nick Martin, also was active Thursday, including forcing a fumble following a completion to fellow rookie Junior Bergen. Jones, meanwhile, was 10-of-11 while Tanner Mordecai went 5-of-5. • One of the standouts in the one-on-one blocking drills Thursday was undrafted defensive tackle Sebastian Valdez. On a day in which offensive linemen won most of the matchups, Valdez had a pair of wins against rookie Connor Colby and another versus fellow undrafted rookie Drew Moss. Others who flashed included defensive tackle Kalia Davis, who pancaked Zack Johnson on one snap, and defensive tackle CJ West, who had no trouble driving centers Drake Nugent and Jake Brendel deep into the backfield. West seemed to hurt his ankle later in practice and limped to the sideline. However, he later returned to the field and finished out the session. Advertisement A player who struggled in the drill: Second-round pick Alfred Collins, who lost his battles with center Matt Hennessy, Moss and Johnson. Bartch didn't take part in the session. • Both kickers were good on their four attempts, the longest from 53 yards. That means Jake Moody and Greg Joseph are 18-of-20 through seven practices. • For most of training camp, Bergen and fellow rookie Jordan Watkins have been the team's only punt returners. Newcomers Isabella and Abdullah joined them on Thursday.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Brock Purdy's latest milestone: A new addition to the 49ers' family
Brock Purdy became the latest San Francisco 49ers star to join the fatherhood club. Purdy's wife Jenna gave birth to the couple's first child, Millie Joleen Purdy. Purdy left the team late last week for his daughter's birth before returning to practice on Sunday. Jenna Purdy announced the news of the couple's new daughter on Monday on social media that included a picture of her and Brock holding Millie Joleen with the caption: 'Life just became a whole lot sweeter." The Purdy's new arrival came nearly two weeks after star running back Christian McCaffrey and his wife, Olivia Culpo, had their first child, Colette Annalise McCaffrey. 'The guys have matured an incredible amount in the last couple days,' fullback Kyle Juszcyk said with a smile on Monday. 'They both have terrible dad jokes. They both got their dad strength overnight. Just so happy for both of them and their families. They're going to be incredible fathers. We're all just so excited for them.' The Purdys met when both were students at Iowa State and got married in March 2024. It's been an eventful year already for the family with Brock Purdy signing a five-year, $265 million contract extension in May and the couple buying a new house for the offseason in Nashville, Tennessee. Padded practice The Niners had their first padded practice of training camp with rookie defensive linemen Mykel Williams and C.J. West both faring well in one-on-one pass rushing drills. The start of pads brought an added energy to the session that was the longest yet of training camp for the 49ers. 'It was fun,' Juszczyk said. 'I really felt like I was craving it. I said to Christian a couple days ago, I'm really excited for some physicality. It's been a long time. It was fun to go out there and be able to hit somebody.' Injury updates Defensive end Tarron Jackson was released from the hospital after being taken off the field by a stretcher following a scary injury Sunday. Jackson was back at the facility and is still being evaluated for a neck injury. Receiver Jauan Jennings missed practice a day after leaving early with a calf injury. There is no word on the extent of the injury. Cornerback Renardo Green and receiver Jacob Cowing remain sidelined by hamstring injuries and DT Jordan Elliott also was out for undisclosed reasons. Cornerback Eli Apple took part in his first practice after being signed Sunday. Receiver Quintez Cephus was cut to make room. ___ AP NFL:
Washington Post
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
Brock Purdy's latest milestone: A new addition to the 49ers' family
Brock Purdy became the latest San Francisco 49ers star to join the fatherhood club. Purdy's wife Jenna gave birth to the couple's first child, Millie Joleen Purdy. Purdy left the team late last week for his daughter's birth before returning to practice on Sunday. Jenna Purdy announced the news of the couple's new daughter on Monday on social media that included a picture of her and Brock holding Millie Joleen with the caption: 'Life just became a whole lot sweeter.'
