While watching Thursday Night Football, they flashed a stat that showed how Bears CB Kyler Gordon had 3 sacks and 2 forced fumbles against Atlanta. He then proceeded to have another sack against New England. It doesn’t seem like Raheem Morris has been dialing up many blitzes from the secondary, but maybe this’ll be the week?
How Raheem Morris has made 49ers’ defense a force despite injuries, reliance on rookies (paywall)
“The 49ers still play a high rate of cover 3, but Morris has added funky disguises, so they are getting to their coverages in unorthodox ways. He’s also increased their use of cover 6 (cover 4 and cover 2 combo) up to 17.4 percent. The 49ers used cover 6 on only 7.1 percent of snaps from 2022 to 2025, signaling a move away from the Legion of Boom-influenced system Shanahan has favored throughout his 49ers tenure.
Morris has put his stamp on a 49ers defensive scheme and matches some of Shanahan’s offensive creativity. If the rookies keep improving as the season progresses and Bosa looks like himself, this 49ers unit can have an exceptional pass defense.”
49ers DE Romello Height, with a club, new helmet and new cleats, is finding his groove (paywall)
“After playing throughout the preseason and in Week 1 with a Guardian Cap, he decided it was too heavy and was slowing him down. So he switched to a LIGHT helmet — which, as the name implies, is one of the lightest available — that’s similar to the one fullback Kyle Juszczyk, a few lockers down from Height, wears. Juszczyk said he was drawn to the helmet because of its weight and safety rating.
“It’s a little bigger,” he said. “It has a little astronaut look to it. But your neck is so much less sore.”
Mostly, Height has had to adjust to playing with the bulky club he’s been wearing on his right hand since breaking it in the Week 2 win over the Miami Dolphins. He said the cast has compromised his power rush and that he’s had to compensate with a better get-off, sharper inside moves and more research on his adversary’s tendencies.
“Basically, I had to change up my game plan,” he said.
Raheem Morris, Klay Kubiak, Brock Purdy share updates ahead of 49ers-Falcons
“I’ve only got a little bit of Nick Bosa and the little bit I got was very exciting. So, I can’t wait to get all of it, but you never want to rush the process. You always want to do like [reporter] Grant [Cohn] says and get guys back healthy and do the things you need to do to get them back. I love watching your stuff, Grant, you crack me up. But, get those guys back and do those things, so it’s always good. Nick Bosa will come back and we’ll get him back healthy and able to go on this run.”
49ers Week 6 Trench Grades: A balanced D-line group (paywall)
“Mildly interesting note here. We have an example of Romello Height’s weighted impact grade as higher than Osa’s. Part of that reflects Osa being out there every down, but it also reflects some of the crunch-time plays Height made this week.”
Fact or fiction: The 49ers need to trade for a wide receiver ahead of the deadline
“The idea that the Niners couldn’t create separation without Evans is off base. Three targets were open on this play….I’m more inclined to believe the Kyle Shanahan-led offense, with a week of practice to prepare without Mike Evans, will be well-equipped to score. I’d also argue the pass-catching corps heading into Week 7 without Evans is still better than what the offense trotted out on a weekly basis in 2025—not to mention the improved offensive line and quarterback….If you’re looking for a playmaker, call the Saints to see if Chris Olave is for sale. Check with the Jets to see if Garrett Wilson is available. Those are game-changers who complement Evans and will be around beyond this season….If the 49ers are calling the Colts, Downs should be third on the list. DeForest Buckner is No. 1, with Quenton Nelson 1b.”
Report: ‘High level of optimism’ 49ers DE Nick Bosa returns in Week 9 vs. Raiders
“Although the 49ers have not completely ruled out Bosa for Sunday’s game, their final contest before the bye week, Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports reports a “high level of optimism” that the defensive end will return for San Francisco’s Week 9 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders on November 8 at Levi’s Stadium.”