San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, quarterback Brock Purdy, and defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen spoke to reporters ahead of Tuesday's practice as the team prepares for its Week 15 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. Here's everything they said.
Transcripts provided by the San Francisco 49ers Communications staff.
Head Coach Kyle Shanahan
Opening comments:
"Alright, injuries for practice: [OL] Ben Bartch, ankle, will not practice, [T] Trent Williams, ankle, will not practice, [DL Nick] Bosa, hip/oblique, will not practice, [RB] Isaac Guerendo, foot, will not practice, [LB] Dee Winters, limited, [S Malik] Mustapha, limited, [LB Dre] Greenlaw, limited, [LB Demetrius] Flannigan-Fowles, limited, [DL] Yetur [Gross-Matos], limited. Go ahead."
Is there any update on Isaac? Just on the extent of his injury and his chances for this week?
"Same as what I told you guys yesterday."
You seemed hesitant yesterday to say that Greenlaw might be activated for this game. Is there a reason for that? Is it not going as well or was there a setback in the last couple weeks?
"No, I just hadn't talked to him yet and wanted to talk to him and see how this week went."
I know you hate social media, but yesterday, WR Deebo Samuel Sr.--?
"I don't hate it."
Well, it's not your favorite thing in the world. You don't use it.
"I don't know how to do it."
You don't know how to do it. Well, Deebo knows how to do social media though, and so yesterday he said that he's not struggling, he's just not getting the ball. Has he expressed any frustration with you in terms of targets and production?
"Deebo and I talk every day, I understand Deebo saying that, Deebo wants to help us out and the only way he helps us out is getting the ball more, and we'd like to get it to him more and we'll continue to work at that."
When he does that, obviously, it's more than just saying that. It can create a distraction, or people can perceive that in different ways. Maybe it can't be good for the team. Do you have any problems with that or have you talked to him about, "Hey, maybe just keep that in-house?"
"Yeah, we'd always love things to stay in-house. That's probably why I don't mess with social media. I'm sure I'd get worked up and stuff too if I was reading stuff about myself all the time. And then I'd maybe make a tweet or something too. I mean is it a distraction in our building? No. I've got to answer questions about, it's the first time I've talked about it is right here. But Deebo and I see each other every day and talk about stuff every day. So my advice is to not let the outside frustrate you, because just answering those things isn't going to help you in any way. Usually only hurts you. But as far as like what we deal with and our relationships and our team, it's water under the bridge."
Part of this Kyle is, you guys scored 38 points on Sunday. It seems like the offense has found its rhythm that it's been looking for all season. How do you feel about the offense right now?
"I liked how we played last week. It's a week-to-week thing. We played good in that game and I thought we hadn't played that well the previous three weeks. We did versus Tampa the week before that. We haven't been as consistent as we'd like, and hopefully we can string two games together in a row here."
K Jake Moody got a couple kickoffs that didn't reach the landing zone there. What was going on? Was he trying something or it was just a slip or what was happening there?
"No, he was trying to, when you wind up to try to boot it out so you don't have a return, sometimes you don't hit the bottom of the ball correctly. You hit the middle of the ball and don't hit it right, so he just shanked two."
What have you thought about the play of OL Dominick Puni and Mustapha, a couple of rookies who have played a lot this year?
"I think they've helped us out all year. They came out real strong and showed right away in camp. Puni earning that starting position with two injuries, I think, in the first three days at camp. So he's basically been the starter since day three. And he acted like the starter right away, and he's continued that throughout the year. Malik getting his opportunity with some injuries also. But both of them have been playing at a high level. It is tough this time of year for all these rookies. They're usually done around this time. So I know it's a challenge for them, just with their bodies and everything and keeping up with the wear and tear and having to play through some of the soreness and the injuries and things like that. But I've been real impressed with them. They helped us a ton and they're going to be good Niners here going forward."
Now that you're almost two years into this, is it almost frustrating that the Rams have had Los Angeles Rams WR Cooper Kupp and now they've found Los Angeles Rams WR Puka Nacua, who is kind of playing out of his mind the last few weeks?
"A little bit. You'd rather them not find really good players, but teams do. And Kupp's been one of the best here over however long he's been playing. And Puka showed last year he's one of the best and he's continued to prove that this year."
DB Deommodore 'Dmo' Lenoir addressed the team the other night. Is that something you would've expected to see him do, maybe a couple years ago or when he was a rookie? How would you categorize his maturity from the time he got here to now?
"A ton. He's still working at public speaking but just, Dmo from his first year to his second offseason. He came in and did pretty good right away. I remember versus Green Bay with about 17 seconds on the clock, he had a bust in coverage, which was a big play that got them into a field goal range and had them beat us on the last play of the game. And he kind of lost his confidence after that and kind of went, was just quiet, didn't talk that much. But when he came back that offseason, you could tell something had clicked because just the energy he played with, how he was in the building every day. And I think after his first year, just how he approached work every single second and the love he has for football kind of showed up to our whole team. And I thought the next step was trying to get him to speak a little bit in front of the team, which he was a little reluctant to do, but we encouraged him some and he pulled it off."
There are some entrenched leaders on this team that have been on the team a long time, why did you feel that Lenoir was ready and that he was the right man to do it at that time?
"I think, I just like people with authenticity. Dmo is a very real dude. Sometimes you don't want guys who always talk all the time. We've got a lot of guys who can speak well and who are leaders and it always starts with what you do on the field. But how he plays on the field, the way our guys respect him and it's always cool to hear some guys who don't speak up that much."
What was QB Brock Purdy's message when he spoke Saturday? And how do you feel like he's asserting his leadership on this team?
"I thought it was good. Brock is definitely one of the leaders on our team. He's been that way since he took over as quarterback. But I think the guys just enjoyed hearing him talk. I think everyone knows how Brock is, he's consistent as anyone in our building. But anytime your quarterback gets up there and says what he's expecting to do the next day, what he's expecting from the guys around him, it carries a lot of weight."
How is DL Javon Hargrave doing and what's the plan for him for 2025 after you guys tinkered with his contract?
"Plan is for him to be a Niner. I don't know about the contract tinkering. That'd be more of a question for [President of Football Operations/General Manager] John [Lynch] and now [President of 49ers Enterprises and EVP of Football Operations] Paraag [Marathe]. I think that's just mechanics of contract stuff. But things I don't look into until after the season."
The rookies being somewhat tired because they're usually done at this time of year, is that something you can prepare them for, talk to them about or they just have to kind of go through it?
"You can tell, you can try to tell everybody everything, but usually people don't believe you until it happens. So you just try to tell people how it's coming, that it usually happens, just with experience of being around it. You try to tell them that throughout the year, so they don't really, they kind of set up their routine at the beginning of Week One a little bit in training camp. And you try to never differentiate from that routine. Sometimes rookies, they get to Week Four and it's not that big of a deal, they don't have to go through their routine. But once they get to around now they're, now they're like, 'Oh, now I get what you're talking about. I should have kept with that routine.' So we pick up on that stuff or talk about it all year to prepare them for this moment. But it still does hit them. And you just talk about the reality of it. It is going to hit you, you do feel that way, but that's why you've got to make conscious decisions and understand it is normal. But it's stuff you've got to fight through because too many people are depending on you."
Based on where you are in the standings and what's left ahead, does this feel like the playoffs already?
"Yeah. Last week felt like the playoffs already. Since that Buffalo game, every week is a playoff game. So, it feels like it this week and hopefully we can take care of business, so next week feels the same."
Has your dad said anything to you about Guerendo reminding him at all of former NFL RB Ricky Watters? They seem very similar.
"No, he hasn't, but I do love Ricky Watters and hope Isaac turns out like Ricky. That'd be awesome."
Do you feel like DL Leonard Floyd has turned a corner recently, I don't know, the last month or so? He just seems to be more impactful when he's out there.
"Yeah, I think, his results, definitely. I think he's gotten some more production as far as the stat sheet and everything. But Leonard's just an energizer bunny. It's crazy with him being one of the older guys and stuff and how many different teams he's been to, but I've played against him enough and felt that. But just guys who've known him, talking about how he practices and everything, [assistant head coach/defense Brandon] Staley being with him in a number of places, telling us how he is. And you always think about bringing in an older guy and stuff, are they not going to be able to practice? Are you going to have to take care of him? And I mean, he's one of our hardest workers every single day. He set the tone in practice last week, coming in on that Wednesday, to our Thursday practice was our last one on full pads, and you would've thought he was the one who was demanding that we went full pads. Just the way he goes about everything. He loves football, plays so hard, and usually when you're like that, eventually the numbers come."
As a head coach, would you prefer a player to step up and deliver a message like that in a crisis time than to do it yourself?
"I don't really have a preference on anything. My preference is whatever gets the best effect. And so you've got to balance that off differently. We're with each other all week, so if a player does it six days in a row or a coach does it seven days in a row, I don't think that's ever the best deal. You'd like to hear it from a different people. But the main thing is what's the result. And so, it's got to be the right player. It's got to be the right message from a coach. It's got to be all that."
Are they going to have give speeches again because it was so effective?
"I'm not superstitious, but I'm a little stitious, so they might have to do it."
QB Brock Purdy
When a wide receiver like WR Jauan Jennings switches positions midway through the season, what's the challenge for you when it's a different person playing a spot where you've had a good chemistry with the former player? What do you have to do in those instances?
"Honestly, I don't think really much. I think just when it comes to like man-coverage and stuff and how [WR Brandon Aiyuk] B.A. moves compared to J.J., like those are some things that are a little different. But I think J.J.'s frame and playing X receiver, like he fits the mold pretty well. He's done a great job of going in there and doing everything that we ask of him within our offense, just like B.A. Obviously, I think they're slightly different, just how they run and everything. So, I guess that, but outside of that, I think we do scheme up plays that are similar to what he was doing at the F position. So, I don't know. I think regardless, J.J.'s a competitor. Anytime, he's in a one-on-one matchup, I can always give him a shot and a chance and he comes down with it. So I guess maybe that."
He had that one where he caught it, he double caught it, the defender almost caught it. The fact that he'll go get it for you, he'll fight for it. How much do you love that?
"Yeah, as a quarterback to know if it's not always a perfect situation, but you have complete trust in a guy that you know is going to fight to the end of the whistle and do everything he can, obviously for the team and for the ball itself, like J.J.'s done that. He's time and time again has fought to the end and when he catches the ball gets more yards or when the ball's up in the air doing what he can to come down with it or make sure the defender doesn't get it. So as a quarterback, I've got complete trust in him and he's done that over and over again. So, love playing with him."
Jauan said that it was you, DB Deommodore Lenoir and TE George Kittle that spoke to the team where things just clicked. Do you still feel that same clicking going on, the consistency that was sparked ahead of the last game flowing into this game on a short week?
"Yeah, it's our first day back today, but I think just the mood within meetings and in passing and we'll see here at practice, but I feel like we do have some momentum right now, but we've definitely got to continue to earn that over and over again. It's not going to just be a magical thing. We've got to put in the work, we got to study and we've got to go out and prove it and continue to have that. So that's been the case in the past couple years and that hasn't changed since. So that's where we're at."
Does scoring 30 points represent a target mark for every game, no matter who you're facing?
"Obviously it'd be nice to be able to do that every game. I don't even know if that's necessarily a goal for ours, but our goal to be the best that we can be. And if we are doing that, then that's just the result that comes from it. I don't know really what our record is when we do score over 30, but for us, it's how can we put the best tape out there for ourselves and feel good about us playing together as a team. And then when we look at the scoreboard in those situations, it's usually good like that."
Can you take me through your thought process on the deep pass to RB Isaac Guerendo? You were under center, it looked like there was a switch at the line, you went back into shotgun, and then Isaac obviously got past the linebacker. So I was just curious what you saw at the line of scrimmage on that play?
"We just got into a play where basically J.J. and Isaac were in one-on-one situations and I liked really just the matchup with him on a backer and then he slipped him inside and went. Obviously, there was a guy in my face, so I sort of had to throw it up pretty early, similar to like the Tampa Bay one with [RB] Christian [McCaffrey]. So similar route there, but that's just what happened. I put the ball up and he went under and got it and it was a big gain, man-to-man coverage and it was a situation that we wanted to be in."
A lot of you guys have talked about just kind of the desperation that you need to have here. How different does it feel when you're in this situation as opposed to previous years where, not that you didn't want to win every game, but where you need to win every game?
"I think it just comes back to competing. The last couple years all we cared about was just week-by-week. We didn't care about where we were at, going into the whole playoff thing. We wanted to get in, we wanted to win our division, and what that took was to win every single week. With where we're at now, it can't be what is the end going to look like? It has to be we have to take care of business today, and then tomorrow, and then when the game comes, take care of each play and drive and quarter. It's just being in the moment and not looking too far ahead. And so, with that comes playing together as a team and playing desperate because we don't have room to lose or anything like that. So that's just where we're at."
From what you put on tape from Sunday, could you see that desperation?
"Yeah, you could feel it definitely. I think just across the board as a team, everybody had just a bit more of sense of urgency and I think we executed and played together as a team, and we didn't let off. And so, really liked that. But, that was last week so now it's on to this week and how can we do that again?"
What adjustment is it for you to have a new starting running back? You could have a fourth this week, you've already had three and they're all different pass blockers and catchers. So, what kind of adjustment do you have to make?
"I think our offensive line has done a great job with just doing their part in the run game and then whoever's carrying the ball behind it's their job to hit the gaps and do their thing. But for me, I trust in whoever it is when it comes to the run game and then obviously in the pass game, we have a really smart running back room where they know where to step up and fit into blocks and they've given me time. And so, I trust in all those guys. So there's that. But I think, not having Christian or [RB Jordan Mason] JP, guys with a little bit more experience that that could always be a thing. But, Isaac came in, did a great job. [RB] Patrick Taylor [Jr.], he's had experience. We could obviously have [WR] Deebo [Samuel Sr.] back there as well. So, I'm very confident in the guys that we've got."
How does going through your progressions and letting that dictate where you go with the ball and feeding TE George Kittle when he's having an All-Pro season?
"Yeah, I think just how we scheme it up and everything, for me I trust in the game plan. I trust in our guys to go and make plays. I just try to take what the defense gives me. I don't walk up to the line of scrimmage in a play and go, I'm going to go here, here, here just because. There's a reason why I go to a certain guy and it's per coverage and I'm just trying to get to my answer per play. So, George has had a great year. I think he's done a great job of catching the ball and then getting yards after and sparking us in that sense. But that's sort of just how I go about it. But definitely when you walk up and you see man coverage in situations, that's where it can be like, 'alright, I like my guy here in this situation or matchup and I'm going to do what I can to get him the ball.' I think that's a little different. But when you're going through progressions against zone and things like that it's different."
The Rams do some interesting things on the back end. They play a decent amount of cover six. What do you see from their defense?
"I think they do a lot to be honest, like just coverages and how they play. They have a lot on tape, which as an offense and a quarterback, you've just got to be on top of your stuff per play. Sometimes there's those defenses where you walk up and you know what they're in and sort of expect them to do certain tendencies throughout the game from what you've seen on film. But I think these guys do a good job of switching things up and you've just got to be on top of your stuff. Their front is really good and explosive. They've gotten better throughout the year. Their secondary, the linebackers, everybody, they all tie together. They're playing the best football that they have right now. So huge challenge for us."
President of football operations and general manager John Lynch on KNBR today said that they chose you and DMo because you guys are gritty. We asked head coach Kyle Shanahan about it, he said you guys are authentic. What was your message to the team Saturday night?
"I'm not going to go into complete detail, but I do think it was just important for our team to hear, I guess, from a guy on defense DMo and then myself, just what it's going to take moving forward and where our mindset has to be. And at the end of the day, just playing desperate football with where we're at in the season and we don't have room for error. Like, now's the time to get up and go and to create momentum and energy for each other, both sides of the ball playing as a team. And I think just hearing that from players and having it be a player-led team, it's important, it's huge. Especially with where we're at. Yeah, that's what we said."
Deebo hasn't had production he's used to in the last month or so, and he said on social media yesterday he's not struggling, he's just not getting opportunities. As the quarterback, captain, teammate, do you feel the need to talk to him just make sure you know where his head's at?
"Deebo and I talk all the time and he's like one of my best friends on this team. I absolutely love Deebo and what he's done for me and helping me out. We talk all the time. Yeah, I think he's right. He's doing great right now with what we ask of him in the offense. And he is not struggling or anything. It's just, like I've said before about guys like [WR] Ricky [Pearsall] or last year with Aiyuk for a little bit. There's just moments, I guess, throughout seasons where guys just don't get the ball, just depending on like scheme or what the defensive scheme is and them taking guys away. So, I want to get Deebo the ball every play if I could. I want to have him break all the records as best as possible. I want Deebo to do Deebo things and we all do in this building. So, that's just how the games have gone. But I love my guy and I'm going to do everything I can to give him the ball."
49ers Defensive Coordinator Nick Sorensen
How does your game plan change this time around against L.A. given Los Angeles Rams WRs Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua are back?
"Yeah, I mean it's add those two guys. It was tough last time, obviously they beat us, got us with some explosives in the second half. I mean, they're obviously great players. The scheme is really good. They're not the only two good players on that team. I think the scheme and the skill players that they have, it just goes really well together."
Is there a way to quantify what S Talanoa Hufanga brings from a communication aspect especially against the run on the backend?
"Yeah, just everything. That's always the thing that you want out of your safeties, guys that communicate. I mean, it's huge and he brings it. He's always been really good communicating, you hear him from the backend. [LB] Fred's [Warner] obviously doing a ton of communicating too, but as many people as can be talking, it helps. Especially when they're on it and it's quick and it's fast and it's decisive. It gets us in the same call, we're good to go and he's one of the best."
Do you think it was the tangible effect immediately?
"Oh, yeah. You can feel it right away."
You were up on the Bears early and like 319 to four I think in yardage and to force all those three-n-outs, is there some gratification for you in there that this is what we can do when everybody's on their assignments?
"Yeah, I think we always felt that's always been the standard. Are we going to finish the game giving up eight yards? Probably not. But, I mean, that's always the goal to be better on third down and red zone. That's what's been showing up. So I think the key for that was being good on first and second down and then finishing it on third down. We've been close so many times and you don't realize, when you go back you see how many times drives get extended. So when you can actually get off on third down and then our offense goes and scores and then we do it again and then they score, that's the whole complementary part of the game and momentum's real. The guys executed, our guys played really hard, really proud of how they played."
DB Deommodore Lenoir spoke to the team last weekend and all of them have been vocal about the fact that it really helped them click. When you watched his maturation over the years and knowing him as a leader out there on the field, how much of an effect does he have on the defense when you watch him out there? Are guys watching him to kind of find their momentum or find their spark?
"Yeah, I think when any good player, that's who people look at. Whether it's vocal or it's just leading by example. And I think the way that Dmo plays and how effective he's been and how much success he's had, he's grown over time. He's worked. So, you instantly gain respect for players like that, whether it's your teammate, whether you're coaching him. All good players, people want to hear when you have something to say and I think he had something to say and it was good. It carries a lot of weight when it comes from guys like that and everybody respects him."
In a football sense, are there any comps for Dmo? Does anybody else in the league do what he does in terms of nickel, outside, back and forth?
"Yeah, it's not very common. That's why, he is a special player and it's cool that he can do that and he accepts it and there was no hesitation. And it's tough to do, but there's not many. I know [Miami Dolphins CB] Jalen Ramsey has done that and he's been a guy that's been able to play nickel and move around and track and follow guys and play outside. But, there's not a ton."
Puka Nacua seems particularly hot right now. What makes him uniquely difficult to defend?
"He's just, he's a tough football player. Some guys are just competitive. He's got size, he doesn't go down easy. Some things you can't measure and he's just got it. He's doing the right things, he's moving. Like I said, these skill players really fit the scheme really well and I think he understands that. But he's got good body control, catch radius. He's got good athletic skill but marry that with the toughness that he has, he refuses to go down. He's just a good all-around football player."
That had to have been fun film for you guys to watch. When you and the other coaches were looking at this game, I know it was a total team effort on defense, but was there any individual that really stood out to you on the rewatch?
"You go through it quick. You don't spend as much time because of the short week. So, it wasn't like you can sit there, I literally go right after the game into this one. So, I mean a lot of guys played well. There's so many good big situations. I mean, all the sacks. To see [DL] Yetur [Gross-Matos] get three sacks and I think [DL] Leonard [Floyd] got two and [DL] Maliek [Collins] got one. But really that whole rush plan, how it worked together, those guys were tied together and I think it was a big rush and coverage game. That was kind of our plan and if we needed to pressure we would based on how the quarterback was moving around. But I think it was just a team effort and that's what it needed to be. That's what it needs to be every week, really, and being tied together and then you add the offense and the special teams together, then it's complementary."
S Malik Mustapha talked about wanting vengeance for this game after the game on Sunday. Given that you guys had lost the lead and that was your first game as a defensive coordinator in that kind of situation. Did you take that personally after that game or did it stick with you a little bit longer than other losses?
"The first Rams game? I take all losses personally. I mean, truthfully. You never want to be losing it at the end, but I mean it's all about wins and losses."
Do you believe that guys will play with a little bit more vengeance given how that game was lost and they are a division rival?
"I think our guys are focused regardless. We know the importance. We knew the importance of this last game. I think it's our guys will be focused and it's a big game because it's our next. It really is."
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