The San Francisco 49ers are heading into an important game on Sunday night. Coming off their second loss of the season and dealing with more injury concerns, this game against the Atlanta Falcons isn't a must-win game, but it feels like one the 49ers really need. San Francisco follows this game with a trip to Houston and a trip to New Jersey to play the Texans and Giants. And neither of those games is an automatic win.
We opened the 49ers Webzone Mailbag this week and found several questions just waiting to be answered. So, we took our best shot at doing so. Let's take a look.
Do you see the 49ers trading for an EDGE by the trade deadline? And how about bringing in Eric Kendricks to fill in for Warner for the remainder of the season? - Johnny Y.
Yes, I believe the 49ers will trade for defensive help, but I don't expect it to be a big-name starter like Trey Hendrickson. It will be a lower-priced rotational piece like Arden Key, especially in light of Fred Warner's injury. You have to wonder if Warner's injury changed the 49ers' approach. If it did, it would likely make them less aggressive. But I'm not part of those discussions, so I can't be certain.
According to NFL Insider Dianna Russini, the 49ers are reportedly showing the most interest in trading for Hendrickson, but she doesn't believe Cincinnati is going to trade him. She wrote, "After the Bengals' Thursday night win, most do not expect him to get moved."
Eric Kendricks is available. He's a free agent. But he's 33 years old, and if no team has grabbed him yet, I'm not sure the 49ers are that interested. Especially after last year, when Kendricks agreed to sign with the 49ers, but then changed his mind and signed with Dallas. That led to the 49ers settling for De'Vondre Campbell. And we all remember how that turned out.
Ok, real question: is this team cursed or what?? I know all teams have injuries, but our Niner team seems to get the most season-ending kinds and to our most essential star core players! - Andy G.
Are the 49ers' injuries simply bad luck? Are they cursed? Is it on the players or the coaches? Who/what is to blame? I wish I knew the answers to those questions. But I am not alone. The 49ers don't appear to have those answers either.
I doubt there's been some kind of curse placed on the 49ers, but who knows. Perhaps there was a deal with the Devil back in the '80s. Win Super Bowls now, break the hearts of your fans later.
Or maybe someday we will watch a Netflix docuseries about a very disturbed individual, their hatred for the 49ers, and a propensity for voodoo. Then we'll all understand. It'll probably end up being one of those disgusting Seattle fans who threw popcorn at NaVorro Bowman after his knee injury.
I say we go find them. Grab your pitchforks and torches. Who's with me?
How come we didn't see Nick Martin out there after Fred went down? - Jason R.
Nick Martin was inactive for the game. In fact, he's been inactive for every game this season. So he was unavailable to come in after Warner went down.
Kyle Shanahan told reporter Matt Maiocco that this is the week Martin makes his debut. The rookie linebacker will see his first NFL action against the Falcons, albeit on special teams. But it is a start.
Oh, I think we are all gonna need some therapy with this season. I can see knee-jerk reactions. Fans are challenging other fans' fandom. At the end of the day, we love this team. Sunday, it was like seeing family get hurt. My biggest concern is the middle of that line. What do we do? - Lowbridge
The 49ers need to invest heavily in the offensive line next offseason. Hopefully, Dominic Puni's struggles are health-related. Jake Brendel is not good, and I don't care what PFF says. Connor Colby isn't ready, but he was thrown into the fire due to an injury to Ben Bartch.
I do not see them making a trade to bring in an offensive lineman this season. We're stuck with this offensive line—at least for the rest of 2025.
Was there an explanation for the offensive pass interference call? The pass was behind the line of scrimmage, and we see the Chiefs blocking downfield on numerous pass plays. - Joe T.
From what I understand, Jauan Jennings initiated contact too late. He had already gone too many yards downfield, and the ball was in the air. Jennings had some bad moments in the Buccaneers game. Maybe it was the injuries, but his head seemed to be somewhere else. I hope he snaps out of that soon. We need to see the old Jennings out there.
Explain: Why don't they care that the O-line is horrible and the risk of getting QB injuries is huge? Everyone can see it, except the people who can fix it? - Stefan A.
For some reason, Shanahan and John Lynch have shopped for offensive linemen on the clearance aisle. They haven't made any trades or big free agent moves, other than Trent Williams. And that was five years ago.
They also haven't invested very much draft stock in the offensive line. I would be willing to bet that changes this offseason. It has to. Right?
Who are your team MVP candidates so far, with one third of the regular season gone? - Ed H.
Warner would be my choice on defense. Christian McCaffrey would be the choice on offense. After all, he touches the ball almost as often as the quarterback does.
But the real choice has to be Eddy Piñeiro, right?
If Bethune was deemed good enough to be named a starter in Fred's absence immediately, why did we draft Nick Martin when we could have used a center or guard at 3rd round? - Ben D.
The 49ers like Martin a lot. He's just not quite ready yet. Some players take a little longer than others. When asked a couple of weeks ago why Martin hasn't been active yet, Robert Saleh said he has to dominate special teams first, and he has yet to start doing so. But Martin has the talent and speed to be a difference-maker once everything starts to click.
At this point, second-year LB Tatum Bethune is ahead of Martin, as is veteran Luke Gifford.
Where are the young guys that I assume are healthy now? Jordan Watkins, Jordan James, heck, Corey Kiner is a practice squad phone call away (it's not like Guerendo is doing anything on the roster right now). How long til Kurtis Rourke is 100%? - Chris W.
Jordan Watkins began practicing this week, so he should be getting close. In fact, there's an excellent chance he'll play on Sunday. Ricky Pearsall is out, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling was just placed on IR. So, the 49ers need help at wide receiver, and Watkins could be ready.
In my opinion, Jordan James should be active instead of Isaac Guerendo. To be that big and fast, it would seem that Guerendo would be more of a threat on special teams and offense. But he hasn't played a snap on offense, and he is no longer on kick return. If he's not adding much, other than kick coverage, then it's time we see James. Maybe he can provide a spark somewhere.
As for Kurtis Rourke, Shanahan indicated earlier this week that the rookie QB could begin practicing soon.
When are the 49ers gonna move on from Trent? And when are we ever gonna fix the O-line? Please, can we get rid of Kyle? - WWEGirl
Williams isn't the player he used to be. But the drop off isn't extreme. We're all accustomed to seeing him play like one of the greatest tackles in history. So for him to be less than that makes it appear like he's bad. He's not.
I've addressed the offensive line already. We should see the 49ers place greater emphasis on the line during next year's draft. If they don't, fans may storm 4949 Marie P. DeBartolo Way.
Shanahan isn't going anywhere. His team is 4-2 despite a slew of injuries. And it's been his best players who have been out. Shanahan is a great coach, and the 49ers are fortunate to have him.
Remember when Jed York fired Jim Harbaugh and replaced him with Jim Tomsula? Let's not do that again.
That's all we have for this edition of the 49ers Webzone Mailbag. We'll be back next week with a brand-new one.