LB Spikes confident 49ers will make playoffs

Earlier this month, Richard Sherman made the bold prediction that the San Francisco 49ers would win the NFC West and go on to beat the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl 57. To some, that prediction may seem even bolder following the team's disappointing 19-10 Week 1 loss to the Chicago Bears. San Francisco will look to rebound at home this weekend against the Seattle Seahawks. But is Sherman still as confident about his prediction after the 49ers' 0-1 start to the season? "Yes, I am still confident in that prediction," Sherman told NBC Sports Bay Area. I still believe in Kyle Shanahan. I still believe in the talent on that team and the leadership that they have. And I think they will overcome. I think this will be a nice wakeup call, and this game [against Chicago]

The San Francisco 49ers will host the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium on Sunday. The division matchup is the home opener for Kyle Shanahan and his team, and the head coach is looking forward to the fans making an impact after a disappointing Week 1 road outing against the Chicago Bears. "[There's definitely a different energy] when you are at home," Shanahan said after Friday's practice, the last of the week before Sunday's game. "I think the advantage on the road, I always talk to our players, there's an advantage with concentration and stuff on the road. When you get on a plane, usually right now, you're there, you don't have family in town, things like that. So those are the only reasons you like being on the road." Of course, there are typically more

Trey Lance will likely head to injured reserve soon. On Monday, the quarterback underwent what most assumed to be season-ending surgery to repair the damage suffered when he broke his ankle against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2. On a conference call with reporters this week, head coach Kyle Shanahan sounded pretty confident that Lance would be ready to go for Week 1 of the 2023 season. One expert isn't so sure the injury is season-ending, though. Foot and ankle surgeon Dr. Kenneth Jung, a consultant to the Los Angeles Rams, believes Lance could be fully healed within 10 to 12 weeks. Assuming the lengthier estimated recovery time, that might make him available after Week 14. However, the shorter estimate could mean Lance is healthy after Week

The San Francisco 49ers are preparing for their Week 3 contest against the Denver Broncos on Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. George Kittle suffered a groin injury on September 5. After missing Weeks 1 and 2, he looks on track to make his 2022 season debut. The tight end was a limited participant in practice for the second time this week and could be suited up in Denver this weekend. After practice, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was asked if it felt like old times having Kittle back at practice. "It's getting there," he responded. Defensive lineman Arik Armstead sustained a foot injury against Seattle. He missed his second consecutive practice. Offensive lineman Daniel Brunskill continues to miss