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San Francisco 49ers tackle Justin Skule will be tasked with keeping the Cleveland Browns' Pro Bowl defensive end, Myles Garrett, away from quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo on Monday night. That's a tall order for the rookie offensive lineman who is preparing for his second NFL start.
Skule isn't stressing over one matchup, though. The NFL is filled with talented pass rushers, and Garrett won't be the last one he faces.
"He's a really good player,"
Skule told Mark Willard of KNBR on Thursday night. "He's a heck of a pass rusher and stuff, but I think Mike McGlinchey said it best to me. You can't focus on the guys' names. You're going to face elite defensive ends every week in the NFL. That's what it is. You can't psych yourself out before the game. You've just got to go out and play."
Skule notes that the entire Browns defensive line is talented but was willing to offer up his scouting report on Garrett.
"He's a strong, powerful, long guy, and he obviously knows how to rush the passer. Everyone knows that," Skule said. "He's definitely shown what he can do in this league, and you definitely have to being your A game against him."
Skule is starting in place of veteran tackle Joe Staley, who suffered a fractured fibula during Week 2. The rookie still remembers what it was like jumping into the huddle at a moment's notice in that game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
"I actually didn't initially see Joe go down," Skule shared. "I just heard someone say my name, and so I just threw my helmet on and started running in. After my first couple of steps, I saw that Joe was on the ground.
"I got into the huddle, and I was just trying to take deep breaths. I think Mike Person just kind of looked at me, and I guess he could see that I was kind of thinking. And he just looked at me, and he was like, 'Hey, deep breaths. It's just football.'
"I think that really helped me to just kind of calm down, relax, and just know that you're still playing football. It's the next level, it's the biggest stage, but it's still the same game you've been playing."
Skule also shared what it was like being drafted by the 49ers, getting the call from general manager John Lynch, and his family's reaction to the news.
You can listen to the entire conversation with Skule below.
Last week, it was reported that the San Francisco 49ers planned to host former Kentucky cornerback Andru Phillips on a pre-draft visit. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo confirms that the visit will take place during the upcoming week, which marks the final opportunity for such visits to occur.
Phillips will also meet with the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans this week.
Adding a noteworthy tidbit to the social media post, Garafolo mentions, "A likely second-round pick, though some evaluators have first-round grades on
The San Francisco 49ers announced the signing of wide receiver Trent Taylor to a one-year deal, reuniting with the team's former fifth-round draft pick out of Louisiana Tech.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area was the first to report that the 49ers were discussing a potential reunion with Taylor. The receiver was part of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch's first draft class in 2017 and spent his first four NFL seasons with the team.
The #49ers are talking with free-agent slot receiver/return man
The San Francisco 49ers are hosting several draft prospects this week as the deadline for pre-draft visits draws near. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, the team will host former Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley on Wednesday.
Corley is expected to be a Day 2 pick. San Francisco owns two selections on Day 2—the No. 63 overall pick in the second round and the No. 94 overall pick in the third round. Currently, the receiver is visiting with the Seattle Seahawks.
Western Kentucky @WKUFootball receiver Malachi Worley
Ian Rapoport didn't offer much of an update on the ongoing contract negotiations between the San Francisco 49ers and their standout wide receiver, Brandon Aiyuk. However, the NFL insider emphasized one thing: The team is not entertaining trade discussions at this juncture.
Reacting to Aiyuk's decision to unfollow the 49ers on Instagram, Rapoport couldn't help but chuckle at the latest development. This practice has become commonplace among players who are unhappy with their contract situations. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel similarly took this action in 2022 before requesting to be traded just before the draft.
Things have yet to escalate that far with Aiyuk, but Rapoport sees his
