SANTA CLARA — As Kyle Shanahan dives into his ninth season as the 49ers’ coach, here are the top takeaways from his Wednesday press conference ahead of Sunday’s season opener in Seattle:
1. JAUAN JENNINGS’ AVAILABILITY
Wide receiver Jauan Jennings will play Sunday, even though he’ll be limited Wednesday and just returned to practice Monday. He was out for the previous five weeks, a hiatus stemming from a calf issue and/or a contract dispute.
“He looked good on Monday, getting back into it. Having all that time off, we’ll ease him back into it. He’s healthy enough to play football and hopefully that continues,” Shanahan said. “It doesn’t feel like he’s been gone because he’s been around every day.”
Jennings’ contract is still set to expire after this season, with him slated to earn a $1.17 million base salary after a $5.6 million option bonus in April, as part of a two-year, $15.4 million extension in May 2024. “It was never personal. It’s business,” said Shanahan, noting that the door is not closed on extending Jennings or right tackle Colton McKivitz as they head into their contract years.
A patchwork receiving corps continues to shuffle, with Marquez Valdes-Scantling promoted to the 53-man roster on Wednesday while Russell Gage replaced him on the practice squad. Both have a good shot to be among the five receivers suiting up Sunday. Jordan Watkins (ankle) has remained out of practice since the preseason opener.
2. ONE NEW CAPTAIN
Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir is a first-time captain, filling the eighth spot among the captain corps that got vacated by wide receiver Deebo Samuel’s trade to Washington. The other seven captains are the same as last season: George Kittle, Fred Warner, Nick Bosa, Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, Trent Williams and Kyle Juszczyk.
3. OLD O-LINE
The 49ers are poised to start the NFL’s oldest offensive line at an average age of 30 years old: Trent Williams (37), Ben Bartch (27), Jake Brendel (32), Dominick Puni (25) and Colton McKivitz (29).
Puni is still recovering from a posterior cruciate ligament injury in the Aug. 16 preseason game at Las Vegas. He resumed practicing Monday and will be limited Wednesday, along with running back Jordan James (finger); not practicing are defensive lineman Yetur Gross-Matos (knee).
Top 10 youngest and top 10 oldest OL units for 2025
Full top 32 in age and many other categories: https://t.co/C2164rBQ7M pic.twitter.com/QCmbnafpaS
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) September 3, 2025
4. YOUTH CHALLENGE
Shanahan said “it’s possible” the 49ers’ greatest challenge this year is their influx of young defenders, the chief of whom is first-round pick Mykel Williams. “He’s looked good the last two practices and he’ll get more and more this week. It’s always hard when you miss a lot of camp,” Shanahan said of Williams, a versatile defensive lineman.
Shanahan noted that veterans have stepped up in recent weeks, so the vast rookie group “may not have to play right away.”
Shanahan declined to state if Marques Sigle is among the two starting safeties, and Shanahan defended Ji’Ayir Brown’s potential aside from injuries.
5. THOUGHTS ON SEATTLE
Former 49ers assistant Klint Kubiak is the Seahawks’ first-year offensive coordinator and Shanahan recognizes the scheme.
“They’ll be a balanced team that wants to put Sam (Darnold) in good situations, give the ball to their running backs and it comes down to third downs,” Shanahan said. “It’s a different style run game. It’s similar to ours in what they do.”
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