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| New coach Mike Singletary gave this unit some life last season. They emerged as one of the better defenses in the game the second half of the season. San Francisco ended the season ranked 13th defensively. Linebacker Patrick Willis has emerged as a premier defensive player. He anchors the 49ers young defense. Their pass rush could be improved with Manny Lawson getting some chances coming off the end and Parys Haralson looking to improve on his team-high eight sacks last season. Defensive end Justin Smith was a solid pickup for the 49ers last season. He isn't a superstar, but solid in run support and good at getting after the quarterback. The secondary will allow some big plays. Nate Clements is a more than adequate No. 1 cornerback. But the loss of Walt Harris to a torn ACL in offseason workouts leaves a void at the other cornerback spot, which is a concern. The 49ers had three special teams touchdowns last season, including a kickoff return from Allen Rossum, who did a very good job of the 49ers as their starting punt and kick returner last season.
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This is an up-and-coming unit. Their sack totals should go up some and the secondary has some big-play potential. The 49ers have a lot of young talent and a solid return game. San Fran will have some ups and downs, could be a good spot starter for fantasy teams this season. |
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| Matt Maiocco, of The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports San Francisco 49ers CB Nate Clements (pneumonia) is progressing well but will sit out the rest of the organized team activities. |
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| Matt Maiocco, of The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports San Francisco 49ers CB Nate Clements (pneumonia) did not participate in practice Monday, June 8. He has not been re-evaluated by the team. |
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| The Associated Press reports San Francisco 49ers CB Nate Clements (pneumonia) will not participate in the team's upcoming minicamp because he has pneumonia. He will be reevaluated next week. |
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| Matthew Barrows, of the Sacramento Bee, reports San Francisco 49ers CB Nate Clements (illness) will likely miss practice Tuesday, June 2. |
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| Kevin Lynch, of the San Francisco Chronicle, reports San Francisco 49ers CB Nate Clements (illness) did not participate in practice Monday, June 1. |
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| Matt Maiocco, of The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports San Francisco 49ers CB Nate Clements (thumb) practiced in full Friday, Dec. 12, and he is expected to play in Week 15. He is listed as probable for the game. |
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| Matt Maiocco, of The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports San Francisco 49ers CB Nate Clements (thumb) practiced in full Thursday, Dec. 11, and he is expected to start in Week 15. |
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| Matt Maiocco, of The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports San Francisco 49ers CB Nate Clements (thumb) returned to full practice Wednesday, Dec. 10, and he should be available for play in Week 15. |
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| Matt Maiocco, of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports San Francisco 49ers CB Nate Clements (thumb) missed the team's Week 14 game and his status for Week 15 is questionable. |
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| Matt Maiocco, of The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports San Francisco 49ers CB Nate Clements (thumb) underwent surgery to insert one pin and two screws into his broken right thumb. Clements is officially listed as questionable for Week 14. Clements has the second-longest active streaks among NFL cornerbacks with 116 starts and 124 games played. |
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Injury Concern.