Happy Friday, Niner Gang! The bye week is over, and I don’t know about you, but I’m itching for the return of 49ers football! Reinforcements are on the way, and it’s time for the 49ers to make a run in the 2nd half of the season. Let’s take a look at things moving forward:

Weekly Updates

• TRADE! The 49ers acquired DT Khalil Davis from the Houston Texans for a 2026 7th rd pick. Good depth addition to a thin D-Line!

• Christian McCaffrey is officially “good to go” for Sunday’s game, per Kyle Shanahan

• The 49ers signed veteran WR Russell Gage to their practice squad

Tidbits from the Week

• With the acquisition of Khalil Davis, the 49ers now have Defensive Tackles named Khalil Davis AND Kalia Davis. Let’s go K Davis x2!

• Extremely sad news as 49ers CB Charvarius Ward’s 1 year old daughter, Amani Joy, passed away this week 💔

Fan Trivia

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Game Preview

We aren’t quite in “must-win” territory yet, but Sunday vs Tampa Bay is a massive game! The 49ers have one of the most challenging schedules remaining in the NFL, and particularly with a banged up Bucs team, the 49ers have to win this game (and on paper they should!).

Looking at this game, one of the biggest storylines is of course how will Christian McCaffrey look in his first game of the season. Will we see the CMC we are used to, or will we see a CMC who is clearly still recovering and managing his achilles tendonitis. Even if CMC looks like the McCaffrey we are used to, how will Shanahan and the coaching staff manage his workload? Jordan Mason and Isaac Guerendo have shown they can handle some workload and be effective, but knowing Shanahan, he likes to ride his main guy.

The area that I most hope CMC can contribute is in the redzone. To me, redzone offense is one of the biggest areas of drop-off from last season to this season, and that’s a way CMC figures to help immensely. After all, CMC had a streak of 17 consecutive games with a TD… so yeah, he’s a difference maker when it comes to helping the 49ers not settle for field goals.

There will be a lot to analyze after Sunday!

Fan Poll

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FOUR-ty Niners Graphics

FOUR-ty Niners Facts

1) Nick Bosa currently is tied for the lead the NFL in pressures generated in true pass sets. Bosa & Jonathan Greenard (Vikings) lead with 36.

2) 49ers have played the Buccaneers 26 times in history, and are 20-6 in those matchups

3) Brock Purdy’s 1st career NFL start was against the Buccaneers, and boy was it a memorable one as the 49ers waxed Tom Brady and the Bucs 35-7

4) The Bucs defense ranks 30th overall in team defense. Purdy, McCaffrey, and the 49ers offense needs to feast this week!

Highlight of the Week

This week’s highlight is a throwback to Brock Purdy’s dad tearing up as the 49ers crowd chants for Brock. Can only imagine that feeling as a father!

If you’re like me, you’re probably having some serious withdrawals missing 49ers football off a bye week. Sunday feels massive for many reasons - can the 49ers get off to a strong start in the 2nd half of the season? What will this team look like with CMC finally back?

Even in the 49ers wins this season, they haven’t taken complete and total control of any game from start to finish. I want to see a complete effort from wire to wire, like the 49ers we got used to seeing with a very similar roster last season. Hoping for a statement win that gives us lots of optimism!

Bang Bang Niner Gang!