The Indianapolis Colts lock up their emerging interior defensive lineman Adetomiwa Adebawore with a two‑year, $35 million extension, including a $13 million signing bonus, keeping him through 2028. At 25, Adebawore posts 19 tackles, four sacks and 14 pressures in eight games this season and is now the franchise’s top defensive tackle after trading DeForest Buckner and rumors about Grover Stewart. The deal makes him the NFL’s 25th‑highest‑paid interior lineman at $17.5 million per year, positioning him for a potential future market reset.
The 49ers worked out eight defensive players before facing the Raiders in Week 9 at Levi's Stadium, including five defensive linemen and three defensive backs.
Tuesday’s NFL roster moves see a flurry of practice‑squad shuffles and injury‑list placements across the league. The 49ers add DE Robert Beal, while the Bengals put DE Cashius Howell on IR. The Bills cut DB Chauncey Gardner‑Johnson. The Broncos revamp their practice squad with DB Ugochukwu Amadi, DT Jordan Miller and RB Jaret Patterson. The Commanders claim RB Robert Henry and place three starters on IR. The Eagles release WR Quentin Skinner and waive DB Jakorian Bennett. Multiple teams, including the Cardinals, Falcons, Jets, Lions and Patriots, also make key releases, signings and IR moves.
The San Francisco 49ers hosted a flurry of defensive prospects on Tuesday, inviting eight players to work out: DE Dominic Bailey, DB Christian Braswell, DT Matthew Butler, DT Aaron Graves, DB Kyu Blu Kelly, DB David Long, DT Chris Williams, and DT Kristian Williams. The most detailed background is given for veteran DB David Long, a former third‑round 2019 Rams pick who has bounced between the Raiders, Panthers, Packers, Giants, Colts, and Saints, most recently sitting on practice squads and dealing with injuries. The 49ers’ interest suggests they are scouting depth across the line and secondary ahead of the season’s second half.
After a Week 8 bye, the San Francisco 49ers remain tied for the NFL’s best 6‑1 record, but power‑ranking sites shuffle them. ESPN drops the Niners from No. 1 to No. 2 behind the Bills, who just thumped the Ravens 36‑10. NFL.com moves San Francisco up to No. 2, noting a healthier roster could keep them elite. The Athletic and CBS Sports also keep the 49ers at No. 2, while FOX Sports ranks them No. 3 after a bounce‑back from a 29‑20 loss to Atlanta. Meanwhile, the Jaguars, Broncos, Bears and Vikings surge or fall in the top ten. The rankings highlight health, recent wins over the Rams, Broncos and Seahawks, and upcoming matchups with the Raiders, Cowboys, Vikings and Seahawks.
The San Francisco 49ers add defensive lineman Robert Beal Jr. to their practice squad, bringing back the 27‑year‑old who was a 2023 fifth‑round pick from Georgia. After being waived in October 2025, briefly rejoining the active roster, and spending the 2026 season with the Miami Dolphins (two games, one tackle), Beal became a free agent when the 49ers declined his tender. The team now hopes to develop him further on the practice squad.
On their Tuesday off, the San Francisco 49ers held a rookie defensive tackle workout, featuring undrafted Tennessee graduate Dominic Bailey. The team recently cut practice‑squad DT Naquan Jones, leaving McKinnley Jackson as the only DT on the roster, while CJ West remains on IR. Bailey, a 6'3", 270‑lb senior who started all 12 games for the Vols, logged 109 preseason snaps with the Houston Texans, posting five solo tackles and three pressures but no regular‑season action. The workout hints at the 49ers seeking depth on the interior line.
The 49ers have signed defensive end Robert Beal Jr. to their practice squad, bringing back the 2023 draft pick ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Raiders.
The San Francisco 49ers didn't need to play a game to emerge as the biggest winner in the NFC West in Week 8.
The Brock Purdy‑Mike Evans duo has become the 49ers’ offensive engine in 2026, ranking fourth in the NFL with a 148.5 passer rating and +1.06 EPA per play. Evans has turned 25 of his 27 receptions into first downs or touchdowns, while Purdy’s 18.4% throw‑rate to Evans is the league’s second‑highest and none have been intercepted. Their chemistry shines in both early and later downs, especially in the clean pocket (154.6 rating, 14.3 yards/target) and against blitzes (158.3 rating, 19.1 yards/target). The pair’s performance is key to San Francisco’s Lombardi‑title hopes.
The Windy City Gridiron argues the Chicago Bears have become the NFL's top team after a dominant stretch in early November 2026. Since quarterback Caleb Williams returned from injury, the Bears have led 158:33 of 180 minutes, never trailed, and defeated recent Super Bowl participants—the Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals. With new additions like Jeffery Simmons and a strong defense, the author contends the Bears now have the personnel to win a Super Bowl, even urging further upgrades such as Khalil Mack. The piece also notes the only real NFC threat is the 49ers and the AFC's Buffalo Bills.
Gridiron Experts’ Week 9 waiver wire list highlights streaming and depth options across key positions. Quarterbacks: J.J. McCarthy (Giants) earns a Superflex stream after a solid 20‑28‑252 debut and a favorable matchup at Philadelphia, while Gardner Minshew (Cardinals) becomes a starter but faces a tough Seattle test. Running backs: Mike Washington Jr. (Raiders) offers 25‑carry volume against the 49ers; Tyler Allgeier (Cardinals) provides big‑play upside if injuries persist; Kenneth Gainwell (Buccaneers) posts back‑to‑back 140‑yard games but meets a strong Bears run defense. Wide receivers: Makai Lemon (Eagles) delivers consistent PPR floor despite potential target drop with DeVonta Smith’s return, and rookie Jordyn Tyson (Saints) is a stash pending practice clearance. The piece flags each player’s role, matchup and fantasy value for Week 9.
The Falcons’ playoff hopes nosedive after a 0‑point shutout loss to the Buccaneers on Sunday, where Michael Penix Jr. threw four interceptions and the defense allowed 324 rushing yards. The defeat drops Atlanta to a +265 NFC South odds, trailing Tampa Bay (+184) and Carolina (+200). After a week‑earlier win over the 49ers, the Falcons now face a tough stretch: a game in Madrid against the Bengals, a home showdown with the Chiefs, then a bye before meetings with the Vikings, Lions, Commanders and Browns. To stay alive, they’ll need multiple upsets in the second half of the season.
Former Indianapolis Colts veteran DeForest Buckner spoke publicly about being traded to the San Francisco 49ers. This is what he said.
The San Francisco 49ers currently hold the No. 1 seed in the NFC but with how good the Bears looked against the Seahawks, they now pose the biggest threat.
DeForest Buckner shares his emotional reaction to learning the 49ers had traded for him, explaining why returning to San Francisco meant so much to him.
DeForest Buckner returns to the San Francisco 49ers and reclaims his former No. 99 jersey, previously worn by second‑year defensive tackle CJ West, who will switch to No. 90. Buckner, who denied any trade‑request talk with the Colts, emphasized his focus on the season’s finish and mentoring the young defensive line. He praised the team's rising momentum and promised to share his experience to elevate the D‑line, noting he can still handle 70‑75% of snaps while rotations keep teammates fresh.
Despite an 0-7 start, the Los Angeles Chargers remain firm on keeping veteran talent, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and Ian Rapoport. Teams, including the 49ers and Bears, have shown interest in OLB Khalil Mack, OLB Tuli Tuipulotu and WR Quentin Johnston, but the Chargers say they are not entertaining trade offers yet. Mack, 35, has logged 21 tackles, five TFLs and three sacks in seven games this season, while Tuipulotu, 23, records 30 tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception. The trade deadline could bring new developments.
The Raiders’ 2026 draft class makes a splash in a 38-33 win over the Jets, with several rookies earning significant minutes. Second‑round pick Treydan Stukes logs all 64 defensive snaps and a pass breakup, while third‑rounder Trey Zuhn starts every offensive snap at right guard. Fourth‑rounder Mike Washington bursts onto the scene, handling 60% of the snaps and posting a season‑high 25 carries for 83 yards, effectively overtaking No. 6 overall pick Ashton Jeanty as the lead tailback. Injuries to starter Darien Porter also open doors for fourth‑rounders Jermod McCoy and Zeke Masses. The piece previews the upcoming 49ers matchup and assesses roster spots for later picks.
Former Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr takes to Twitter ahead of the Nov. 10 trade deadline, pitching bold ideas to revamp Minnesota’s roster. He suggests a blockbuster swap: sending Kirk Cousins and Derrick Henry to the 49ers for Danielle Hunter, and urges the Vikings to chase elite safeties like Derwin James, Minkah Fitzpatrick or Budda Baker. Barr also lists other coveted names—Breece Hall, AJ Terrell and George Pickens—while noting the Vikings’ strong draft capital and cap flexibility. His commentary highlights the team’s quarterback woes and lackluster running game, making his trade proposals a hot topic for fans and analysts.
It's time for another week of Niner Noise Power Rankings, and it's looking a bit thin for the NFC as the San Francisco 49ers sit atop for at least one more week.
The Las Vegas Raiders, fresh off a 38–33 win that lifted them to 4‑4, travel to Levi’s Stadium for Week 9 against a 6‑1 San Francisco 49ers fresh off a bye. ClutchPoints predicts a high‑scoring shootout, projecting Brock Purdy to throw for 350 yards and four TDs while rookie Brock Bowers banks 150 receiving yards and two scores for the Raiders. Expect a 42–28 49ers victory, 70 total points, and a 14‑point margin as San Francisco’s air attack outpaces a still‑leaky Raiders defense.
The 49ers remain near the top of NFL power rankings entering Week 9. See where national outlets rank San Francisco after its bye and the DeForest Buckner trade.
With the NFL trade deadline just six days away, Windy City Gridiron’s Week 9 Power Rankings break down each contender’s needs ahead of Week 9. The 49ers (6‑1) look to add a receiver or interior lineman after trading for DeForest Buckner. The Bills (6‑1) target secondary help to bolster a shaky pass defense despite D.J. Moore’s return. The Jaguars (5‑2) could chase receivers, cornerbacks or O‑line depth, while the Lions (5‑2) prioritize a cornerback and possible RB or DL depth. The Broncos (6‑2) eye offensive upgrades, perhaps a tight end, as quarterback options dry up. Vikings (6‑1) may add interior O‑line help or a splash‑y running back like Jonathan Taylor. The Bears (6‑2) still need defensive line depth, a cornerback and tight‑end reinforcement after Cole Kmet’s injury, and the Chiefs (5‑2) face offensive gaps they hope to fill before the deadline.
The Los Angeles Rams are eyeing a swift return for DE Myles Garrett, who begins his 21‑day practice window this week after surgery. Coach Sean McVay hopes the veteran can help the team snap a .500 streak and bolster a tough second‑half schedule that includes the Packers, 49ers, Cowboys, Seahawks and Buccaneers. A healthy Garrett could impact the Rams' late‑season push and, in turn, affect Cleveland Browns’ draft positioning for 2027, tying the Rams’ injury news to the Browns’ playoff and draft outlook.