Michael Wilhoite questionable to return against Bears

Kyle Juszczyk hopes to return to the San Francisco 49ers next season. Like so many of his teammates, he is scheduled to become a free agent. The fullback knows the situation, though. The team is pressed up against a salary cap that is expected to fall in 2021. That means some tough decisions are to be made, and Juszczyk is already by far the highest-paid fullback in the league. He is also the best and a key component in the 49ers' rushing attack. Juszczyk spoke with reporters on Monday via Zoom and was noticeably emotional while discussing his NFL future. "To be honest with you, it's just kind of a sense of (being) unsure," Juszczyk said of his NFL future. "I'm not totally sure what's ahead for me. I don't want it to be a sense of finality. Honestly, it's just

General manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan sat down to speak with reporters (virtually, of course) on Monday and discussed the future of the San Francisco 49ers. The two expect quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to be part of that future. "Yes, I want Jimmy back as (part of) our core," Shanahan said. "Good thing he's not a free agent. ... Of course I want our starting quarterback back and all our other starting players too." The two were asked about Garoppolo because the quarterback position is slated to be this offseason's top 49ers-related storyline, just as it was last offseason leading to free agency. Lynch and Shanahan backed Garoppolo as the starting quarterback next season, as they have repeatedly done each time they are asked about

Cam Inman of Bay Area News Group reports that San Francisco 49ers offensive assistant Katie Sowers' time with the team has ended. It is unclear what prompted the separation. Although, her contract expired, and the coach is free to explore other opportunities. "I will sadly not be back," Sowers confirmed in a text message to Inman without offering further clarification. Sowers initially joined Kyle Shanahan's staff in 2017 as an intern under the Bill Walsh NFL Diversity Coaching Fellowship and was later retained as a full-time coach, helping in several areas, including working with the team's receivers. Sowers previously