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The San Francisco 49ers will play at least one playoff game in January. That much is guaranteed. The team hopes to play more. Many more. The Niners hope to play into February.
The team as a whole doesn't have much playoff experience, though. One veteran player, cornerback Richard Sherman, does. He has been to two Super Bowls and won one. He has plenty of experience playing January football, and that's invaluable for the 49ers and his young teammates.
Sherman and fellow defensive back K'Waun Williams missed this past weekend's game against the Atlanta Falcons. Sherman was dealing with a Grade 2 hamstring strain, an injury that typically requires weeks of recovery, while Williams was dealing with the symptoms of a concussion. Both will be back on the football field on Saturday against the Los Angeles Rams.
General manager John Lynch, who played safety on some pretty special NFL defenses himself, knows what it means to play championship football. He
joined KNBR on Thursday and discussed what it means to get a player like Sherman back in time for this championship run.
"Aside from great play, [Sherman] brings that mentality, that championship mentality," Lynch said. "You've got to stick your foot on someone's neck, and end it."
That's something the 49ers couldn't do on Sunday, even after leading the Falcons 19-10 in the fourth quarter.
"I think he and K'Waun, I think (bring) a level of awareness," Lynch continued. "You need your good players, and we've been doing a fantastic job — and the guys this last week did — of competing their tails off ... even when we didn't have all our starters. But those guys will help in terms of finishing your opponents.
"And also just a general awareness to know when that game is on the line, they're probably going to go to number 11 (Julio Jones), when you're talking about the Atlanta Falcons, and doing the necessary things to take that away. It's a welcome sight to have those guys back."
About that Grade 2 hamstring strain that would keep most players out at least a couple more weeks, Lynch was asked about that, too.
"Sherm's different," Lynch said. "That's one thing I've learned, and you have to earn that respect from guys. There's guys I've played with — some guys heal at a different rate.
"And then there's also a mindset. Sherm's got one of the best mindsets I've ever been around about willing himself back on the field, and he's able to do it. He's done it throughout his entire career. You still don't believe it when you start to work with someone, but then he earns that right.
"It's one thing if he was saying, 'I'm not going to practice all week, and then I'm going to go.' We probably wouldn't allow him to do that. He practiced [Tuesday]. He practiced all week, hasn't missed a snap, and he looks great.
"So Sherm's going to be ready, and God love him for it. He's a fantastic competitor, and that mentality is part of what makes players special in this league, and I love it about him. He's a great example for the rest of our team."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Lynch below.
Just when you thought the San Francisco 49ers and Tom Brady storylines had concluded, the future Hall of Fame quarterback drops another tidbit that sparks discussion. During an episode of "DeepCut with VicBlends," the host asked Brady what he would do if the NFL came calling once again.
VicBlends inquired if Brady would consider returning to the football field if a playoff-bound team like the 49ers needed him.
"I'm not opposed to it," Brady said, per Jordan Mendoza of USA Today. "I don't know if they're gonna let me if I become an owner an NFL team. I don't know, I'm always gonna be in good shape, always be able to
San Francisco 49ers GM John Lynch and Offensive Line coach Chris Foerster were in Seattle on Saturday scouting prospects of the Washington Huskies. While Washington has multiple talented draft prospects, the fact that Foerster was accompanying Lynch is notable considering Washington has two offensive linemen who are getting a lot of attention—Troy Fautanu and Roger Rosengarten.
Per source, John Lynch, Chris Foerster looked at several Washington draft prospects today. Huskies are loaded with draft talent, including …WR: Rome Odunze, Ja'Lynn Polk, Jalen McMillanOL: Troy Fautanu, Roger RosengartenEDGE:
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
