49ers Notebook: Five players hoped to return against Rams, Armstead may not be alone on COVID-19 list

The news of Arik Armstead's departure from the San Francisco 49ers after nine seasons with the team shocked linebacker Fred Warner. Armstead, a former first-round pick, was an impactful force on the football field. However, his availability over the last two seasons forced the 49ers to reevaluate his contract, and when his salary could not be significantly reduced, the two sides parted ways. "Huge surprise," Warner said of learning that Armstead was being released. "Ever since I've been here, we called him the blueprint for how to be a Niner. That was the longest-tenured Niner that's been here and a guy that's done it right through and through." Warner has been in the NFL long enough to understand how the league works. Over the years, he's watched several

Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus unveiled a seven-round mock draft for the San Francisco 49ers, addressing several key needs for the team in the 10-pick projection. Interestingly, the mock draft sees the team adding two legacy players. But before delving into that, let's examine the first three selections. Sikkema has the 49ers shoring up their offensive line at pick No. 31 with the selection of former Arizona offensive tackle Jordan Morgan. Morgan allowed 14 pressures and two sacks in his 477 pass-blocking snaps at left tackle in 2023. He earned an impressive pass-blocking grade of 87.3 and an overall grade of

The upcoming NFL Draft holds special significance for the San Francisco 49ers, with ties to several familiar faces from the team's past. A handful of legacy players hope to make their mark, possibly receiving a life-changing call from 49ers general manager John Lynch. Brenden Rice, son of Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice, is one such player. The former USC wideout is projected to be a fourth-round draft pick and had the opportunity to meet with the 49ers at the NFL Scouting Combine. When asked about the possibility of joining his father's former team, Brenden confidently expressed, "Honestly, I just

During the NFL owners' meetings, San Francisco 49ers CEO Jed York noted the significant rise in quarterback salaries in recent years. However, he acknowledged the market value of such players, recognizing that he'll have to sign a substantial check for his young quarterback, Brock Purdy, next year. York stated, "And to me, the quarterback is the most important position, not just in football, but in all sports, and those guys should be paid a lot." Last week, Brock Purdy addressed York's comments, showing no concern about the financial implications that will arise next year. Instead, he