SANTA CLARA – Best. In. The. World.
Defensive end Clelin Ferrell used those four words in breaking down the 49ers’ huddle at Thursday’s practice, a message that fired up its playoff-pursuing audience.
“It was a pretty cool reminder for all of us to hear that from Cle,” quarterback Brock Purdy said. “What we do is hard and it’s a challenge, but we love it and we’re up for it. We’ve done this our whole life. We can’t take this for granted. We’re at the end of the season, NFL ball in December, this is an exciting time.”
Refreshed after last week’s bye, the 49ers (9-4) host the Tennessee Titans (2-11) on Sunday, the first of three home games over this final four-game stretch of the regular season, with playoffs looming.
“We’ve got to seize the moment and not take it for granted,” Purdy added. “It’s a great reminder by him for our whole team. A lot of guys took that (message) and it sort of fired everyone up.”
Ferrell had two sacks in the 49ers’ Nov. 30 win at Cleveland before the bye, and his emergence Thursday as a vocal leader wasn’t a shocker. He is a seventh-year veteran who started on the 49ers’ 2023 team before a knee injury kept him out of the playoff run to Super Bowl LVIII.
“The biggest thing is it’s a new season. Four games left, that’s all we’re guaranteed,” Ferrell said. “The best part about it is we get to write our own destiny and we’ve got the pen.”
A “best in the world” motto is not so much a vow to win Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in two months, but rather it’s about confidence and a reminder of their high-profile occupation.
“It’s belief. I’ve been on this team before in ’23 when we had a chance to go make a run. A big point at this part of the year is get everybody on the train. Get ready,” Ferrell said. “Whether you see it or not, we’re trying to get there. The biggest part is you have to have that belief, and if you get a chance to dress on Sunday, you’re one of the best in the world at what we do.”
Added defensive coordinator Robert Saleh: “Our locker room does that — it does believe it’s the best in the world, which I think it is.”
The 49ers are currently in the No. 6 slot as a potential NFC wild-card team but could still climb to No. 1. They’re on a three-game win streak, and Saleh’s unit limited each of its past two opponents under 10 points, although the Carolina Panthers and the Cleveland Browns ranks 28th and 29th in scoring.
WARNER TALKS SUPER BOWL
Linebacker Fred Warner, two months since fracturing his right ankle, jogged onto a stage Thursday for a Super Bowl panel discussion hosted by the Bay Area Host Committee. While Warner rehabilitates, he’s inspired by the 49ers’ potential spot in Super Bowl LX.
“You dang right I think about it, especially when I’m not out there,” Warner. “When you’re in it as a player, you have to, of course, Coach Shanahan makes it a point to make sure you stay focused on every single week. We have the Tennessee Titans coming to town and it’s about winning one game.
“When you’re on the outside of it,” Warner continued, “it’s like, ‘Hey man, we win four games, we have a chance to be the No. 1 seed and have the playoffs run through Santa Clara all the way to the Super Bowl.’ Ooh wee, I understand why fans get fired up.”
PURDY’S TOE UPDATE
Purdy acknowledged that while a Week 1 injury to his right big toe impacted his mechanics, he said last game in Cleveland served as a nice test to prove his efficiency, as a passer and runner. “I just focus on playing ball, and in that case (at Cleveland), escaping and not getting caught. On keepers, I’m busting my butt to get to the edge just like I have in the past,” Purdy said.
Purdy is three games into his comeback after missing eight previous games. He spent his bye week at his home near Nashville. “This whole year has really been about my toe and getting healthy and feeling like myself again,” Purdy said. “Having a week to rest up and getting couple practices under my belt, it feels good, I feel fresh. But I’m still playing with a chip on my shoulder.”
McCAFFREY ILL
Running back Christian McCaffrey warmed up on the side, as usual, but then was a limited participant because of an illness. He has started every game this season and leads the 49ers in both rushing (849 yards, eight touchdowns) and receiving (806 yards, five scores).
GROSS-MATOS RETURNS
Defensive lineman Yetur Gross-Matos, out the past two months with a hamstring injury, resumed practicing in only individual drills and the 49ers now have three weeks to activate him off Injured Reserve.
Remaining out of practice were defensive end Sam Okuayinonu (ankle) and linebackers Tatum Bethune (ankle), Nick Martin (concussion) and Eric Kendricks (calf; practice squad).
JONES’ WEEKEND
Tight end Brent Jones, a three-time Super Bowl winner during his 49ers tenure from 1987-97, will be enshrined Saturday night into the Edward J. DeBartolo S. 49ers Hall of Fame and honored during Sunday’s game. Jones’ 143 games are the most ever by a 49ers’ tight end, and 22 more than George Kittle’s running tally.