Here are other San Francisco 49ers-related storylines that might interest you.
Kittle ready to up his T-shirt game
Don't expect the T-shirt battle between All-Pro tight end George Kittle and franchise quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to end anytime soon. Not that anyone wants that to happen. Kittle struck last during an interview on NFL Network, and soon, he'll have more shirts ready to go.
"I have plenty," Kittle said Wednesday morning on 95.7 The Game. "I'm just waiting for it to get here in the mail."
Added Kittle: "Usually, it'll drop whenever I have to talk to our local reporters on the Zoom call. I like to throw some fun out there for Jimmy, and I think he can enjoy it."
We can't wait 😆 pic.twitter.com/rog0p9se3A
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) August 19, 2020
Ric Flair offers Kittle marriage advice
Retired wrestler Ric Flair crashed (OK, it was planned) Kittle's interview to congratulate the tight end on his contract extension. He also offered the young NFL star some marriage advice.
"Listen, stay married," Flair said. "That [75] million could go real fast if you get divorced."
"I appreciate the advice," Kittle responded.
You can listen to the whole interview below.
Niners signing OL Hroniss Grasu, three others
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that, in addition to the signing of veteran receiver Jaron Brown, the 49ers are expected to sign offensive lineman Hroniss Grasu to add some center depth.
The #49ers are adding depth, as they are expected to sign FA interior OL Hroniss Grasu and FA WR Jaron Brown, pending their final COVID tests, source said. Brown had 220 yards on 16 catches last year with the #Seahawks and Grasu recently spent time with the #Ravens.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 19, 2020
Weston Richburg isn't like to be ready for the start of the season, and his replacement, Ben Garland, suffered an ankle injury on Tuesday. The severity of that injury remains unknown.
Grasu visited with the 49ers on Tuesday, along with Brown. San Francisco also worked out five defenders that day.
The Chicago Bears made Grasu a third-round draft pick out of Oregon in 2015. He's had two stints with the Baltimore Ravens, and also played for the Miami Dolphins and Tennessee Titans.
Adam Schefter reported that the 49ers signed safety Johnathan Cyprien to a one-year deal. The team is also signing wide receiver Jaron Brown and former Syracuse defender Evan Foster, according to multiple reports.
Crowd noise, potential playoff bubble, no mascots or cheerleaders
The NFL continues to figure out how to safely conduct a regular season amid the coronavirus pandemic. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports that the NFL and NFL Players Association have informed teams that mascots and cheerleaders will not be allowed on the field during games.
Cheerleaders and mascots will not be allowed on the field during the 2020 season, according to updated NFL-NFLPA protocols sent to clubs.
Yet another way the NFL will look different in the COVID-19 world.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 19, 2020
Hopefully relevant news for the 49ers: ESPN reports that the NFL is considering a bubble-like environment for the playoffs.
"The league has made no commitments, and (EVP of football operations Troy) Vincent said he isn't sure whether it is something the league can do 'legally,'" wrote Kevin Seifert. "But he reiterated that 'all things are on the table' at the moment."
ESPN also reports, via Adam Schefter, that the NFL is considering a policy that would allow "fan sound" to be heard in team stadiums during games. The way it is reported, it sounds like that means the sound would actually be present in stadiums during games and not just heard on television broadcasts.
Sources: NFL is now considering a league-wide policy that would enable fan sound to be heard in stadiums.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 19, 2020
H/t to Patrick Tulini for finding these three nuggets.
