The San Francisco 49ers have been hit with multiple injuries. Brock Purdy, George Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk, Ricky Pearsall, and more have all missed multiple games due to injury. Nick Bosa and Fred Warner are also lost for the season, but the team has now released a wide receiver in a shocking move.
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According to reports, the 49ers are releasing Marquez Valdes-Scantling with an injury settlement. The former Kansas City Chiefs star and two-time Super Bowl champion can now sign with a new deal when he recovers.
Valdes-Scantling suffered a calf injury that had him placed on IR. With him set to miss at least the next four games, the 49ers are instead choosing to allow him to seek a new team when he returns from injury.
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The good news is this could mean the 49ers are preparing to get back some of their stars. One such star who is already confirmed to return is Kittle. The star tight end was placed on IR due to a hamstring injury in Week 1. After missing the last five games, he finally returns.
San Francisco may be missing quite a few players, but the team has fought back to a 4-2 record. Purdy will remain out, leaving Mac Jones to start again. Pearsall is also out, but the team has found a lot of help with Jauan Jennings and new addition Kendrick Bourne, emerging as a solid pass catching weapon.
Bourne has become a bright spot in the offense, acquiring 371 yards, which is good for second on the team.
The 49ers are looking to keep pace in the stacked NFC West, and they’ll need a big win on Sunday to regain first place, assuming the Seattle Seahawks and the Los Angeles Rams lose their respective games.
San Francisco has a tough opponent ahead, as they face the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night. The Falcons’ offense has emerged as one of the toughest in the league, causing multiple turnovers a game.
With Kittle back, they will have a better chance of dealing with the high-powered Falcons defense. Kittle offers a huge boost to the passing game, and he can also block to set up the play-action calls and the run game.
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