Overview
- Seattle’s 13-3 win at Levi’s Stadium in Week 18 clinched the NFC’s top seed and exposed San Francisco’s issues at the line of scrimmage and on third down.
- The 49ers are without All-Pro tight end George Kittle due to a torn Achilles, while left tackle Trent Williams returns and linebacker Fred Warner’s practice window is open on a limited basis.
- San Francisco signed former Commanders safety Darrick Forrest to the practice squad as late depth as starting safety J’Ayir Brown deals with a hamstring issue.
- OC Klay Kubiak says the 49ers must run the ball to force Seattle out of two-high shells, and DC Robert Saleh stresses fixing early-down ‘leaky yardage’ to improve third-down defense.
- Brock Purdy is 4-0 in Seattle but was held to 127 yards and three sacks in Week 18, and he notes patience and ball security are essential against Mike Macdonald’s defense.