#san-francisco-49ers

#san-francisco-49ers

One of these returns, he vows, will end up in the end zone. It's always the goal, of course, but even more so since reporters filled him in earlier this season about the 49ers' historic struggles in the return game. They have not had a punt return for a touchdown since the 2011 season opener, by Ted Ginn Jr., who amazingly also scored on a kick return that game.

Kyle Juszczyk proudly recalls making $5.15 an hour. That was minimum wage 20 years ago, when he was a teenager in Medina, Ohio, about an hour south of Cleveland. He worked with his brother, Sean, who's six years older and was their manager at McDonald's. That carried extra power at Thanksgiving break, when they would head to a snow-covered football field at the local high school.

The San Francisco 49ers face their division rivals, the Arizona Cardinals, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, Nov. 16 at 1:05 p.m. PDT. The Niners will be seeking to bounce back from their loss to the NFC West-leading Los Angeles Rams last weekend, but they may have reinforcements coming. Quarterback Brock Purdy could make his return after a six-game absence with a toe injury, while fellow Arizona native Ricky Pearsall is working his way back from a knee issue.

But let's be clear about one false narrative. The 49ers are not in a bad way because of their purge of the 2024 roster by coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch. As much as the 49ers spoke of regret in bidding adieu to so many players, the process was logical and well thought out. With just one exception, the ex-49ers haven't exactly gone on to bigger and better things in their new homes.

That won't bring back Nick Bosa, Fred Warner or Mykel Williams. Nor does it appear to be getting Brandon Aiyuk that much closer to practicing. But quarterback Brock Purdy (turf toe) is getting closer to practicing enough to merit a start. Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall Jr. (knee) may restart practice after missing the last six games. Defensive tackle Alfred Collins (hip) may also practice and be available by the time they visit the Arizona Cardinals (3-6) Sunday.