Head Coach Kyle Shanahan Press Conference

Head Coach Kyle Shanahan

Press Conference – September 20, 2024

San Francisco 49ers

Opening comments:

“Injuries for the game: [WR] Deebo [Samuel Sr.] will be out, [TE George] Kittle will be doubtful, [CB] Charvarius Ward, questionable, [DL] Nick Bosa, questionable. Go ahead.”

Can you shed some light on the severity of Kittle’s hamstring and when it happened?

“Him and Charvarius, they were sore after practice, like a number of guys are. They came in Thursday morning and were still sore. And it was still today with Kittle. So, that’s the severity of it.”

What about Bosa? What happened there?

“I think it was rib, hurt his rib in practice. Yeah. A one-on-one drill.”

That was yesterday’s practice when that one happened?

“Yes.”

Based on what you’ve seen from WR Jacob Cowing, do you think he’s ready for a bigger role?

“Possibly. He’s got more opportunities with guys down, but he’ll be in the rotation there. But possibly. He gets better and better each week and still looking to see where he can fill in.”

Kittle potentially out, what have you thought of TE Eric Saubert’s play so far?

“I thought he’s done a hell of a job. He’s stepped in well. Kittle was cramping most of the game, so he had to do a lot throughout the Minnesota game. He’s been real consistent since he’s been here. If he’s got to do it all, he’s up for the challenge. He’s shown he can help us in the passing and the run game.”

What intrigued you about him when you acquired him in the first place? What did you like about him?

“Just the all-around player he is. [Atlanta Falcons TE] Charlie [Woerner] and [Atlanta Falcons TE Ross] Dwelley had been here for a while. Real solid, good players for us. Special teams, running the ball. They both have made a bunch of big-time catches and thought Eric was a similar player. He’s done real well on special teams. He’s blocked very well and every time his number is called, he usually makes a play.”

When you’ve got back-to-back artificial turf game, I know you don’t want to be all worried about them, but do you almost have to treat that set a little differently in the middle of a season?

“Not really. Each turf field is different, so you don’t compare them all the same. Some can be a lot worse than others, but you look more into things when you have a short week, stuff like that, when you have a lot of guys down and you’ve got be careful about when you practice just because of the numbers you have out there. But back-to-back turf games don’t, really never comes in my mind.”

What’s the plan for S Talanoa Hufanga? Will he have a snap count limit or will he just be full-go?

“We’ll play it out as it goes. He’s prepared for the game and we’ll keep an eye on him throughout it and see each series how it works out.”

Is he going to start?

“Not sure yet.”

When will you know?

“Pregame. During the National Anthem.”

How many times have you asked Nick Bosa for book recommendations?

“Not many. My wife follows him on whatever, one of those things is, probably Instagram. She was telling me all summer how he was reading books and stuff. I decided one day I needed to read one, so I texted him and asked him which one he recommended since he’d been on top of all of them and gave me some good advice.”

Do you remember what book it was?

“I don’t remember the name of it, but it was an audio book. I get most of my reading done

listening on car rides in and car rides home.”

What kind of relationship do you have with Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay? Are you guys friends? Are you rivals? Will you talk to him on the field before the game? What kind of dialogue have you guys got?

“Yeah, I love Sean. Sean’s an awesome dude. I don’t talk to really anybody before games. I come out there late, we knock out our pregame, then I go back in and get ready for our game. So it’s not really much of a social event for me before games. But Sean and I were friends back in the day and I usually get to see him at owner’s meetings where that’s where we’ll hang out the most, lunch, have drinks together, stuff like that. But when it comes to friends and stuff, it’s we work a lot, both of us. We both have family. So there’s people you’re friends with your whole life, but it’s not like we’re texting and hanging out throughout the season together, which would probably go the case with all my friends.”

How well do you know Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula?

“I don’t know Chris. I know he has been there for a while. So, he has been a part of this rivalry throughout it all, all the different coordinator changes and everything like that. I know a lot of guys who do know him well. I’ve got a lot of respect for him. He’s doing a good job so far and I’m sure he’ll do a hell of a job throughout this year.”

Does assistant head coach/defense Brandon Staley know him well?

“They know each other real well. But just with him, he’s called two games, so I don’t think he has tendencies yet. But those are the stuff you like to feel, work out and find out throughout the year. Lots of tape that we watch, it’s the same scheme, but everything but two games we’re watching as [Atlanta Falcons head coach] Raheem [Morris] from the last couple years. It was Staley before that. So, the schemes are all the same, but those tendencies and the personality usually kind of figure out as the season goes.”