San Francisco 49ers News Headed Into the Weekend
The San Francisco 49ers head into the weekend with a handful of developments worth keeping an eye on. From criticisms to John Lynch and an injury update on tight end George Kittle. These just the kind of updates that start to shape the early outlook for this roster after the draft. From depth chart conversations to player buzz and a few under the radar storylines, there is enough here to keep fans informed. Let’s get into some San Francisco 49ers news headed into the weekend.
GM John Lynch coming under fire for draft picks
The 49ers general manager John Lynch has been taking shots from fans indicating that he and the 49ers organization drafted poorly last week.
Sports Illustrated writer Grant Cohn asked Lynch:
“John, your draft board seems to deviate quite a bit from the consensus, why are you confident with that given your track record of the last few years, it seems like it leads you to make reaches.”
Lynch had the following to say in response:
“I appreciate that you think that way,” Lynch said. It depends on whose consensus, there is a consensus in this building, and that is the consensus that I care about.”
San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan also responded to the comment saying the following:
“That was one of the coolest things about this draft. If there is somebody that you know you are going to take at that spot and you want to wait for 15 or 20 picks later, it’s a huge risk, you never find out when they are gonna go if you take them there.”
Draft pick De’Zhaun Stribling gets compared to Chris Godwin Jr.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler had nothing but positive things to say about recent 49ers draft pick De’Zhaun Stribling. Fowler seems to think that Stribling can be the Mike Evan’s new Chris Godwin Jr.
“Mike Evans might look across the formation and see a player who reminds him of his old running mate in Tampa Bay, Chris Godwin Jr. San Francisco’s second-round receiver, Ole Miss’ De’Zhaun Stribling, compared favorably to Godwin when he was coming out of Penn State, from weight (207 to 209) to 40 time (4.36 to 4.42), vertical jump (identical 36 inches) and broad jump (10-feet-7 to 10-6). Brock Purdy won’t complain about that pairing, with Stribling’s ability to separate over the middle a nice complement to Evans’ vertical threat.”
San Francisco 49ers News: George Kittle Injury Update
During a wildcard card game in January with the Philadelphia Eagles, 49ers tight end George Kittle tore his achilles. This forced him to sit for the remainder of the playoffs. San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan provided an update while he was a guest on the Rich Eisen Show
” I know he’s working his butt off to do it. I don’t want to say he’s on track, but I think that’s what he’s shooting for. And I don’t put anything past Kittle. He works as hard as anyone.”
While the San Francisco 49ers would certainly not rush Kittle’s return, he would be missed on the sidelines in Week 1. But missing Week 1 because of the Achilles injury would not come as a surprise. Even if Kyle Shanahan says he may be ready, that does not mean they are going to push it. This is not the kind of injury you gamble with in September. Especially for a player as important to the offense as Kittle.
