The San Francisco 49ers kick off their 2025 campaign in Seattle on Sunday, September 7, against a familiar foe in the Seahawks.
After a week that saw him pop up on the injury report with a calf issue, all eyes will understandably be on Niners All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey, who missed 13 games last season.
San Francisco officially listed McCaffrey as questionable, but he’ll be on the field, at least in some capacity. How comfortable he looks will be something to monitor. Here’s a look at the inactives for the 49ers Week 1: rookie RB Jordan James, rookie WR Jordan Watkins, OLs Drew Moss and Austin Pleasants, DLs Robert Beal and Jordan Jefferson and LB Nick Martin.
49ers May Rely More on Brian Robinson Jr. in McCaffrey’s Absence
If McCaffrey is limited or on a pitch count — and he very well may be — the 49ers won’t be without a playmaking RB. After trading for Brian Robinson Jr. late in camp, head coach Kyle Shanahan sounded comfortable with the veteran’s readiness this week:
“Brian knows the game plan,” Shanahan said. “You got it in this week. You don’t have to know an entire offense. You’ve got to know what the plan is this week, and he’s repped all of it. So, if that’s the situation, we’re good to go with it. He’s ready for it and I know [RB] Isaac [Guerendo] will be also.”
Robinson and Isaac Guerendo give San Francisco a solid one-two punch in the backfield if McCaffrey needs to take it slow. Robinson finished with 799 yards and eight touchdowns (4.3 yards per carry) with the Commanders last year, and he’ll be a nice addition to Shanahan’s offense.
Robert Saleh Prepping for New Seahawks QB Sam Darnold
Getty ImagesRobert Saleh is back as the San Francisco 49ers DC.
Across the line of scrimmage, quarterback Sam Darnold is starting his a new chapter in Seattle after a resurgent year in Minnesota. The 49ers know Darnold well, and Robert Saleh—back as the team’s defensive coordinator—has spent the week calibrating pressure and answers on early downs. Asked about Darnold, Saleh gave Darnold his props.
“Just studying his tape, he’s very confident, he is a playmaker,” Saleh said. “Last year he proved that he could be a good decision maker also. You know, he took care of the football, he got the ball to his playmakers, and I think the scheme just fits him.”
Expect Saleh and the 49ers to really tighten up on first- and second-down in an attempt to keep Darnold from getting too many easy keepers. Saleh’s return has a lot of folks hyped, and understandably so. If he and his unit can make life uncomfortable for Darnold, it could make all the difference.
Brock Purdy Getting Ready for the Seahawks’ 12th Man
For Brock Purdy and the Niners offense, a primary focus will be handling the noise Seattle’s fans bring. Making sure his cadence and protection are in sync will be key. Purdy was blunt this week about Lumen Field’s effect:
“In an environment like that where it feels like they are on top of you in the stadium,” the 49ers QB said.
“You’ve just got to be on top of your operation, breaking the huddle, being on the right cadence for us on offense, making sure the guys hear the right calls in the huddle. All that. It’s a real part of the game and it’s something that you can’t overlook. … Obviously it’s one of the best places and hardest places to play in the NFL.”
Seattle snapped a five-game losing streak against the 49ers last season, with the teams each winning a game in their two-game series. We’ll see how the Niners respond.
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