San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke with reporters during a conference call on Monday, the day after the team's 34-24 win over the New York Giants. Here's everything he said.
Transcript provided by the San Francisco 49ers Communications staff.
Opening comments:
"Injuries from the game. [DL] Mykel [Williams] did end up tearing his ACL, so that's official. That was it from the game. That's all I've got here on injuries. Go ahead."
Can you give any details about that? Is it the quote-unquote clean tear, like DL Nick Bosa had?
"I believe there was a lateral meniscus also. For however it's worded, it was a good one. I mean, it wasn't perfect because there was a lateral meniscus. But, they feel good about it. He'll come back with, his career will be fine from it. It'll heal great."
How did you feel about the season he was having leading up to the injury?
"I'm really happy with Mykel. I would do the exact same thing over again. I just hurt for him. I was loving watching him battle through all this stuff. He battled to get back in the season after an injury in training camp. He's been playing a long time since then. You know, I thought he was a guy who kind of needed a Bye Week more than anyone. So, I'm just really disappointed that he is not able to really continue developing through this year because I believe we got a hell of a player who's going to really figure this out in the run game and the pass game. He still will, but I hurt for him that he isn't going to do that over the next half of this year."
Has the date been set for his surgery and possible roundabout recovery time? Have you been able to talk to him? How is he feeling and doing?
"I talked to him yesterday. I haven't been able to talk to him today. I'll reach out to him when I'm done with all this stuff. I know a number of guys have seen him in here today though. He was able to be around Nick and [LB] Fred [Warner] too in the training room when he found out. But no, I don't know exact recovery or the surgery date, but sure we will sooner than later."
Are either of the two new guys DL Clelin Ferrell and DL Keion White candidates to take over that role Williams had?
"Yes. Yeah. I mean, Keion definitely shows a lot of inside rush potential. And Cle, we've done both in the past, but both of them were up playing a big role yesterday before Mykel got hurt. So, obviously with Mykel getting hurt that only becomes stronger. We expect to get [DL Bryce] Huff back this week, so good to get another one back."
I think you addressed this yesterday, but with the trade deadline tomorrow, is there any more emphasis on making a move with Mykel out?
"No, that hasn't changed anything. I know those guys are working around the clock on just any possibilities and stuff as they do every single year. But no, this happening hasn't changed anything."
Do you also expect to get OL Jake Brendel back this week?
"We're hoping. We'll see on Wednesday. He's got to go through a couple more things here tomorrow before it can for sure be Wednesday, but he's got a chance."
Is there any update with WR Ricky Pearsall and what his availability might be this week?
"Real similar to Jake's on that. They couldn't confirm today if he'd be available this week, so we'll take it day-by-day, but continue to evaluate him as this week goes."
Could you open up WR Brandon Aiyuk's practice window this week?
"No, we're not."
One more. What about OL Ben Bartch?
"Yeah, he practiced last week, so we'll continue that this week. Thought he had a good week last week, so I expect it to only get better this week."
What did you see from the secondary over the game? I know there were a few missed tackles, but there was some good coverage here and there.
"Yeah, I thought we definitely looked improved from the week before in Houston. I thought the guys played tighter in coverage. I think there was much less mistakes in the pass game. I thought [CB] Renardo [Green] had one of his better games, thought he made a few plays there. The one thing, yeah, we did miss too many tackles, which we need to clean up, but I thought the guys took a step in the right direction."
Is QB Brock Purdy's status and bringing him back at all contingent on how QB Mac Jones is playing? If Mac is playing this well, can you afford to kind of wait out Brock and wait and see when he's healthy?
"Yeah, they're not related. This is Brock's team and if Brock's good to go and everything and can play like Brock, there's no decision to be made. It's just nice as we go through this with Brock with the uncertainty of the toe, it is cool to have someone playing as good as Mac is. But, they're not related."
After the game, some of the Giants players commented about the crowd noise from 49ers fans. Was that something that you were cognizant of that you remarked on or anything during the game?
"The Houston game was so disappointing because our fans take over a lot of stadiums, but they took over the Houston stadium like it was L.A. So, it was so disappointing that we didn't give them much to cheer about that whole game. So, that was really cool in New York that we had a bunch of fans there too and it was really cool in the second half to watch the other team have to use the silent cadence. Anytime you do that, that shows you've got some really cool fans who made the trip."
With what you ask from your wide receivers in run blocking, have you seen improvement from them? I know you don't have your guys out there that you've had before, like Washington Commanders WR Deebo Samuel Sr. and B.A. and WR Jauan Jennings has been hurt, but have you seen improvement in their run blocking?
"I have seen improvement. I think they're working at it each week. I do think they're getting better, but we're still expecting it to continue each week to get better because we're not there yet. But, it has been improving."
As shaky as the Houston game was, you did do some good things on special teams in that game and you also did some decent things on special teams in this game. How do you feel about the progress of that unit?
"I've been really proud of our special teams this year. I think they've gotten better throughout the year. I think they're playing really well as a unit in all the phases, not just one in particular. I think our returners have gotten better. We've gotten better at blocking for them. I think our punter, our long snapper and our kicker are playing at high level. I think it's a huge credit to them, especially as we get all these injuries. People talk about guys having to play on offense and defense when guys are hurt. Well, they're all taken from special teams too. So, for them to get better as we've been banged up, give a lot of credit to those guys for pulling that off."
During K Eddy Piñeiro's warmups there were some fans screaming, 'Eddy, please don't ever leave us.' Is there a thought to potentially getting him a deal before the end of the year?
"I don't know. I wish we could get a deal for all of our guys going forward, but that's not something that I've discussed with anybody yet. But, I'm sure that's stuff they will be discussing into this offseason."