This is a big week for the San Francisco 49ers as they prepare to host the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday night. The winner of the game will be crowned NFC West Champions and will have home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. So it's a huge game.
For the 49ers, it's even bigger because the top seed in the conference comes with a bye week, which this injury-depleted team desperately needs.
We opened the 49ers Webzone Mailbag this week. You came through with some great questions. So let's jump in and take a look at those.
Hoping Kittle is out there on Saturday, but do you think Kyle might try some two-tight-end sets with Tonges? He's literally balling every time he's out there. He should be more than just an emergency replacement. - Andy G.
I'd love to see more of George Kittle and Jake Tonges on the field at the same time. We all know Kittle is a future Hall of Famer. He's elite in the passing game, but is also a great run blocker.
Tonges' strength isn't in blocking, it's in receiving. And he's stepped up every time Kittle has been out. But Shanahan likes having that second tight end for blocking, which is why Luke Farrell plays more when Kittle is out there.
If Tonges could improve his blocking, maybe we would see more of him with Kittle. But until then, I'm not sure we'll see much more of the Tonges-Kittle duo. Shanahan likes his tight ends to be versatile. So Tonges will need to get better as a blocker.
I've heard mixed reports about Big Trent playing. Any word? Happy New Year to you and yours. - Lowbridge
Trent Williams, who suffered a hamstring injury Sunday night on his only play, has not practiced this week. Shanahan said Williams has a chance to play, but he's said that about other players this season. And some of those did not play.
I expect Williams to be a game-time decision. I normally wouldn't think he would play, especially on a short week. But this is an important game and Williams knows his team needs him. Austen Pleasants filled in admirably Sunday night. But Seattle's defensive front is much better than Chicago's.
Once the regular season ends, would the Niners be able to sign people from the practice squad of teams who are eliminated from the playoffs, or would that have to go through the normal waiver wire? - Joe T.
I reached out to David Bonilla for this one. He's the all-knowing Managing Editor of 49ers Webzone. Here is what Bonilla told me regarding the rules for signing players after the season ends:
"Team rosters will be frozen next Wednesday (January 7th). Teams can only sign players not under contract with another team. Practice squad players remain under contract for seven days after their team's season ends. After that, they become free agents.
"Teams are allowed to sign a total of four free agents during the entire playoffs, and no more than two in a single week. That also means teams can't sign players off their playoff opponent's practice squad."
So, there you have it.
Happy New Year, Marc! Kick the tires on a Trevon Diggs playoff acquisition? - NorCal Hobby Shop
CB Trevon Diggs, who was released by the Dallas Cowboys, was claimed off waivers by the Green Bay Packers on Thursday. They were the only team to submit a waiver claim. So the 49ers must not have been interested.
It's too bad Diggs isn't a pass rusher. GM John Lynch may have submitted a waiver claim in record time.
Last off-season, Juice almost didn't come back. If he doesn't come back next off-season, do you think Tonges would fit well in that role? That would at least get him on the field more when Kittle is healthy. - Scott B.
Back in March, Kyle Juszczyk was a former member of the San Francisco 49ers for a matter of hours. But he re-signed with the team on a two-year deal. So, the Pro Bowl fullback should be with the 49ers next season, as well.
The question being asked is whether Tonges could play fullback in a post-Juszczyk era. Certainly, Tonges could succeed the way Shanahan uses his fullback in the passing game. But the blocking part of the position is not something Tonges can do. Or at least do well.
So, no, I don't believe he would be a replacement for Juszczyk down the road.
Two simple questions from Sweden:
1. How can anyone not love Brock Purdy?
2. When will the movie about him be made? - Stefan A.
I've always wanted to go to Sweden. Thanks for the questions, Stefan. Now to the answers:
- I don't know how anyone could not love Brock Purdy. He's such a good guy. You'd have to be some evil, irrational, close-minded person filled with hatred (like fans of the Los Angeles Rams or Seattle Seahawks). Or you'd have to be some annoying person who knows very little about the sport (see Wright, Nick).
- The Purdy movie will be made shortly after he wins a Super Bowl. Some important questions remain, though. Such as who will play Purdy in the movie? Will he win a Super Bowl this year? Can we watch it on Netflix? I hear the Duffer Brothers are available to write something new. You never know—stranger things have happened. (See what I did there?)
What surprised you the most about the win against the Bears? - Ed H.
Let's think about this: I expected the offense to be good, but didn't know they'd be that dominant. And I knew the defense would struggle, I just didn't realize they'd be as bad as they were until they got the final stop.
It was impressive how the offense rebounded from the pick-6 on the first play of the game. But again, I wasn't surprised they did.
I'd say the biggest surprise was how well Pleasants played. Replacing a Hall of Famer with someone who barely has any experience is scary. But the offense was as elite as it's been. So Pleasants did his job. That was impressive—and surprising.
Do you think they will figure out how to bring in Eric Kendricks for the playoffs? - Lowbridge
Eric Kendricks isn't the player he once was, but I wonder if he could help the defense right now. Tatum Bethune and Dee Winters did not play well Sunday night. Bethune and LB Luke Gifford are liabilities in coverage, as well. Kendricks might fare better in pass defense.
But the run defense had been the biggest issue until the last two games. Robert Saleh has seemingly placed a greater emphasis on stopping the run, which is why Bethune is still playing. But it's worth taking a look at Kendricks, which I'm sure they're doing in practice. The coaches must believe they're better with the other guys right now.
One thing I'm certain of is that this coaching staff will play whoever gives them the best chance to win. If that turns out to be Kendricks, then he'll play.
It's probably too late to try, but considering how badly the LB group and secondary have been playing, do you think Marques Sigle and Nick Martin should get some snaps on defense? Ji'Ayir Brown and Luke Gifford are painfully slow out there. - Andy G.
I'll answer this the same way I answered the previous question. If Marques Sigle and Nick Martin could come in and outperform those they'd be replacing, we'd see them in there. The two rookies may just need more time to develop.
Sigle struggled in coverage early in the season. That's why Ji'Ayir Brown remained a starter when Malik Mustapha returned. Sigle would likely be an upgrade in the run game, but he's not in the passing game.
Martin has been a topic of conversation with coaches, and they've suggested that he's not as far along as the others. Saleh said that, weeks ago, when he was asked about Martin not playing. He's behind the other linebackers and won't play ahead of them until he shows improvement
That's all we have for this edition of the 49ers Webzone Mailbag. Thanks for all your great questions. Have an amazing 2026!
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