Head Coach Kyle Shanahan Press Conference

Head Coach Kyle Shanahan

Press Conference – November 22, 2024

San Francisco 49ers

Opening comments:

“Injuries for the game: [CB] Charvarius Ward will be out, [WR] Jacob Cowing, out, [LB] Tatum Bethune, out, [DL] Kevin Givens, out, [DL] Nick Bosa, out, [QB] Brock Purdy, out, [T] Trent Williams, questionable, [OL Jon] Feliciano, questionable. Go ahead.”

Is there any development with Brock’s shoulder where it got downgraded during the week and is there long-term concern for it?

“I don’t want to say there’s long-term concern. We got the MRI on Monday. We thought he just needed some rest and really weren’t concerned about him not being good this week. But when he started up Thursday, just surprised him, surprised us, how it felt. So we had to shut him down. So, I really don’t what to think of it. The MRI doesn’t look like that, so it should be alright. But the way it responded this week, it’s really up in the air for next week, so we’ll have to see on Monday.”

Did it happen on the touchdown run?

“He doesn’t know in particular. I don’t think so, but he can’t remember a play that it specifically happened on.”

Is it one of those things where as time went on it just started to bother him?

“Just complained about how tight it was throughout the game and it started happening throughout the game. That’s why he was warming up just a lot more than usual. He said he had a hard time keeping it loose and then after the game is when it really started to hurt and then Monday morning is really why he had to go get an MRI for it.”

Will QB Brandon Allen start?

“Yes.”

What do you like about Brandon?

“I think Brandon’s a really good thrower, runs our offense well. He’s done a really good job since he’s been here, been here two years now. Guys believe in him and believe he’ll give us a good chance to win.”

Was one of the positives about Brandon that the offense doesn’t change very much with him in there? That he’s like Purdy in a lot of ways that you don’t really skip a beat.

“Yeah, there’s not a big game-plan adjustment, this is something that we didn’t think would happen early in the week. We were fully preparing for Brock to go and getting a little surprised about this yesterday. Nothing has to change, so that’s a good deal for us.”

Without Purdy and without Bosa, the situation obviously doesn’t look great and it’s the NFL, everyone will say you guys have no chance, but things have happened. I guess, what is your message to the team when you face this kind of adversity?

“I think we’ve had a real good week of practice. I know it’s disappointing. We knew there was a chance for Nick, I think the guys were a little surprised with Brock yesterday, but we addressed all that today and we’re going to have 48 guys in uniform. I know our guys believe in themselves. I believe in them. We’re missing two good players, definitely, but we’ve got a lot of good players out there. So by no means do we not have a chance to win. We’re going to go fight our tails off and expect this to be a real good game.”

With Mooney, he just needed some more time?

“Yeah, just taking three full weeks off, it’s not like dealing with all that stuff he’s getting workouts in or anything like that, so we were just happy to get him back in the building this week. We didn’t want to put any pressure on him by any means to get ready to play. He just wanted to get back into the feel. He had two-and-a-half good days of practice. I say half just because of what today’s like, but hopefully he’ll be good to go next week.”

Has Trent shown progress or is it still right up to kick off?

“It’s still right up to kickoff.”

Does the fact that you went through three quarterbacks a couple years ago and still made the NFC Championship give the team hope knowing that you’ve been through this kind of adversity before?

“I don’t think they look at it that way. It’s good to have that story and stuff, but I think why they have hope is because they’re with Brandon every single day. I know outside of here people haven’t seen a lot of Brandon because he hasn’t had to go in yet. But this is Brandon’s second year. They see him on scout team all the time. Obviously guys want Brock up, but guys are excited to see Brandon play.”

Given that Brandon had been sort of in your coaching tree so to speak, with Los Angeles Rams Head Coach Sean McVay and with Green Bay Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur and Cincinnati Bengals Head Coach Zac Taylor who had been with Sean, did he pick things up quickly as soon as he got here?

“He picked things up just being a vet and stuff. I’d say the coaching tree’s a little overrated. It branches off. We’re all from the same places, but he looks at things where he has been, things are all subtly different, but he’s got a lot of experience, been around a while and he’s been comfortable and we’ve been comfortable with him since his first day here.”

How did how did Charvarius Ward get through practice this week and where is he at?
“I thought he did a real good job getting through the week. We threw him out. He got to ease in there doing all the scout-team stuff. I thought he really gave us good looks all week. Got his body feeling just more confident each day. Just talking to him, I think he’s in a good spot and we all know he’s grieving a lot and we know that never fully stops. But I think it has been somewhat therapeutic for him to get out on the football field and things like that and be able to focus a little bit on his craft for just a little bit. He’s always going through that and it’s nice that we can be here for him as much as we can with him back in the building.”

QB Joshua Dobbs was disappointed as he would expect to be when he wasn’t the backup. How has he been as the third guy all year running the scout team doing what you asked?

“He’s been awesome. They split the scout team reps so they both get equal reps over there throughout the year and really loved having him in the room. And he’s been great on the field too.”

We haven’t asked you about Green Bay Packers QB Jordan Love yet. What do you like about him and what’s unique about him?

“Just how big of a threat he is. He’s a thrower. There’s not a throw he can’t make. I love his mindset, how aggressive he is. He’s always trying to end you. He’s always going for the big plays, and he’s got the skillset with his feet too that when things aren’t there he can make a lot of plays. Big, tall guy, very athletic, and we know how good he’s been these two years and he is going to be good for a long time.”

Will Brock stay behind for treatment rather than travel?

“No, he’ll come with us.”

Same with Bosa?

“No, Bosa will stay here.”