Help may be on the way for the San Francisco 49ers. That's what NFL Insider Dianna Russini, of The Athletic, believes. And the 49ers' fanbase hopes she is correct.
In her latest "What I'm Hearing" column, Russini wrote, "The 49ers are holding on for dear life, but some help is finally on the way."
Last season, the 49ers suffered numerous injuries that tested the team throughout a challenging season, which ultimately resulted in a 6-11 record. It wasn't just the injuries, though. The Super Bowl hangover and a few contract disputes also contributed to a disappointing season. And for those who believed the injury issues this season couldn't be worse than 2024, it has somehow turned out that way.
The 2025 new year began with a different vibe. The team was upbeat throughout the offseason and training camp. They jumped out to a 4-1 record, with three of those wins coming over division foes. And they won some of those games despite losing players like Brock Purdy, George Kittle, Nick Bosa, and Ricky Pearsall—just to name a few.
But the biggest injury occurred last week, when star linebacker Fred Warner was lost for the season. And the 49ers followed Warner's injury with a loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. At 4-2, it looked as if the injuries had finally caught up with the team.
There is some positive news, though. Warner and Bosa may be lost for the season, but the 49ers are starting to see some of their injured stars return. And for a team that refuses to quit, that could be the shot in the arm the 49ers need.
"George Kittle is back," Russini added. "The All-Pro tight end was activated off IR and is expected to play against Atlanta after missing a month healing from a fully torn hamstring suffered in Week 1. Coaches are hopeful Kittle's return can stabilize a passing game that's been operating on fumes without multiple starters."
Kittle's influence on the passing game is a given. But his impact on the run game may be just as important. The 49ers have struggled to run the ball. The 2025 rushing attack hasn't even come close to resembling the part of Kyle Shanahan's offense that makes it so special. Without any threat of a run game, the 49ers have been one-dimensional, making it extremely difficult for their quarterbacks, especially Mac Jones, who has taken a beating and is dealing with his own injuries as a result.
"Mac Jones will make his fifth start of the season at quarterback Sunday night with Brock Purdy still battling turf toe," Russini wrote. "Inside the building, Jones has earned respect for how quickly he's picked up Kyle Shanahan's offense — and for keeping things afloat despite all the injuries around him.
"The bad news: The list of 49ers not coming back keeps growing. Nick Bosa and Fred Warner are both done for the year, while receivers Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall remain sidelined for another week. The 49ers expect Purdy and Pearsall to be ready in Week 8."
Russini is right. The injury news has mostly been bad, but the fact that Kittle is returning this week and that Purdy and Pearsall may be back next week is good news. The 49ers still are counting on Brandon Aiyuk to return sometime next month, as well. These returning players may not directly help the defense, but they will impact the offense. And without Bosa and Warner, the 49ers' offense will need to score more points.
And if the returning offensive players can help revive the struggling run game, that can have an indirect, positive impact on the defense. The 49ers will need that if they are going to stay competitive. And they will need to stop losing more players to injury.
"The 49ers are hanging by a thread, but with Kittle back and Jones settling in, they might just have enough to stay in the fight a little longer," Russini wrote.