The San Francisco 49ers could get a boost on the defensive line this week. Pass rusher Bryce Huff returned to practice on Wednesday and might be ready to go as soon as Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams after missing two games with a hamstring injury.
When asked if he anticipates suiting up for the pivotal NFC West clash at Levi's Stadium, Huff replied, "Yes, sir."
Asked about his recovery over the past two weeks, Huff said, "It's been smooth. I just had like a Grade 1, so it was nothing crazy. So, I've just been in here every day, working with the training staff and the weight room staff to get back to full health, and I feel good."
The 49ers face a tough test against Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford on Sunday.
"He's a Hall of Fame quarterback, so I know he's going to be looking to dice us up any way he can," Huff said. "So for me, I've just got to do everything I can to impact him and get to him in the pocket."
Huff also stressed that the 49ers' Week 5 success against Stafford and the Rams doesn't guarantee positive results this week. Teams evolve throughout the course of a season, and the Rams have won three straight games since their loss to San Francisco at SoFi Stadium.
"We've gotta get in the film room and see what we can do this week to attack him," Huff added.
Rams remain a challenge
The 49ers edged the Rams 26-23 in overtime during their hard-fought first meeting of the season. Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne acknowledged that Sunday's rematch could be even tougher.
"They're a really good team, and it showed in that last game," Bourne said. "And they've improved. You could see it in the tape. They're just more sound in what they're doing. And the game came down to the wire, like a lot of games do, so I expect it to be a dogfight.
"And just respecting them—not taking them lightly. I mean, we didn't before, but just because we beat them once, you don't look over them. So, that's what the division is—you know you're going to see them again.
"So, it's just going out there with the right mindset, having a good week of practice, so we give ourselves the best chance to win."
Locker room unfazed by quiet trade deadline
The 49ers remained quiet as the trade deadline came and went, despite injuries depleting their roster.
What do the players think about the 49ers not being more active? Running back Christian McCaffrey expressed confidence in the team and the front office.
"I personally don't look at that stuff," McCaffrey said. "Those guys, they're hired for a reason. They have a job and they're obviously really good at it. For me, I just don't focus on that stuff. The guys that you go out there and play with are the guys that you feel confident playing with, and I think everybody on this team can play, and I'm fired up about our team and where we're at, and we just got to keep rolling.
"Obviously, losing guys is tough. It's never easy, but you see the kind of depth that you have, guys who have stepped up and come out here and done a really good job. Once again, I haven't thought about it until you just asked that question, but it shows me that they have confidence in the guys that we have."
Linebacker Tatum Bethune admitted he was oblivious to the trade deadline but shares McCaffrey's confidence in the current roster. He was unfazed by the lack of roster moves.
"I didn't even know the trade deadline was yesterday," Bethune said. "I've been hearing about it, but whatever happens, happens. I'm good with the guys that's on this team right now. We're gonna rock whoever is on that field."
McCaffrey feels blessed
McCaffrey leads the league with 229 touches this season, including 168 carries, amassing 1,222 scrimmage yards and eight total touchdowns.
The career of an NFL running back can be short, but McCaffrey's dedication and gratitude are evident every time he steps on the field.
"I feel blessed," McCaffrey said. "I work really hard. I've got a great team around me. But at the end of the day, I feel any time I get to step on the field, I don't take it for granted, and I thank God every chance I get."
Fire from Fred Warner
Bethune texts his injured teammate and the player he replaced on the field, Fred Warner, after every game to get the veteran linebacker's thoughts. Warner's responses can range from in-depth feedback to a single emoji.
What's Warner's emoji of choice?
"The fire (🔥) emoji," Bethune replied. "The fire emoji. He sends that a lot."
Bethune has grown appreciative of Warner's honest analysis, knowing the future Hall of Famer won't hold back.
"If you play bad, you play bad. If you play legendary, he's gonna tell you," Bethune said. "He's gonna put it in all caps with fire emojis. I got that last week, so I kind of felt good. But yeah, other than that, he's gonna keep it real with you all the time, and that's what I respect most about Fred. He don't sugarcoat anything."