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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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| John Crumpacker, of the San Francisco Chronicle, reports the San Francisco 49ers hope CB Nate Clements (shoulder) will be able to return to the lineup in Week 16. |
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| Matt Maiocco, of The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports San Francisco 49ers CB Nate Clements (shoulder) did not practice Friday, Nov. 6, and will not play in Week 9. |
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| Matt Maiocco, of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports San Francisco 49ers CB Nate Clements (shoulder) is expected to miss six to eight weeks with a broken shoulder blade. |
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| The Associated Press reports San Francisco 49ers CB Nate Clements (shoulder) and OT Joe Staley (knee) are both expected to miss the team's next two games, and possibly the team's following game against the Chicago Bears on a Thursday. Head coach Mike Singletary said Clements will not be placed on the Injured Reserve List and Staley said he did not consider his knee injury as season-ending. |
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| John Crumpacker, of the San Francisco Chronicle, reports San Francisco 49ers CB Tarell Brown said he will start at left cornerback in Week 8 in place of CB Nate Clements. Clements likely will play nickel back throughout the game. |
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| Matt Maiocco, of The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports San Francisco 49ers CB Nate Clements is a sure-handed return man, but the team would like to avoid using him as a returner for a long period of time. |
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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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Injury Concern.