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Deebo Samuel: Successful 49ers return in win
Friday, September 11, 2026 1:26 AM
Samuel brought in six of seven targets for 48 yards and a touchdown, rushed once for 12 yards and returned two kickoffs for 74 yards during the 49ers' 27-7 Week 1 win over the Rams in Melbourne, Australia.
The versatile Samuel made a splash in his return to the 49ers following a one-year stint with the Commanders, tying for the team lead in receptions and for runner-up status in targets as well with new teammate Mike Evans. Samuel's production was boosted by the second-quarter exit of De'Zhaun Stribling due to an ankle injury, and the highlight of the former's performance came when he recorded a 15-yard touchdown reception early in the fourth quarter by mirroring Brock Purdy's movement across the field as the quarterback extended the play. Samuel's Week 1 usage implied he'll fill the same type of diverse role he previously thrived in within head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense, and the veteran receiver is likely to remain busy in a Week 2 home matchup against the Dolphins on Sunday, Sept. 20.
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George Kittle: Pair of catches in Week 1
Friday, September 11, 2026 1:18 AM
Kittle brought in two of five targets for 12 yards during the 49ers' 27-7 Week 1 win over the Rams in Melbourne, Australia.
Kittle headed into the game without an injury designation, making a remarkable recovery from January's Achilles tear to suit up Week 1. The veteran tight end wasn't much of a factor despite the fact San Francisco lost rookie De'Zhaun Stribling in the first half to what may be a serious ankle injury. However, Kittle did help the 49ers' ground attack generate an impressive 5.8 yards per carry, and he's likely to see his participation rate progressively increase in coming weeks. Kittle's position mate Jake Tonges also suffered a potentially significant knee injury, per Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com, a development that could accelerate Kittle's return to a full complement of snaps.
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Blake Corum: Impressive with limited touches
Friday, September 11, 2026 1:10 AM
Corum rushed 10 times for 54 yards and wasn't targeted during the Rams' 27-7 Week 1 loss to the 49ers in Melbourne, Australia.
Corum's backfield mate Kyren Williams worked as the starting running back and logged his first carry on the Rams' second play from scrimmage, but Corum garnered his first touch to start Los Angeles' second drive and ripped off a nine-yard run. The third-year pro would go on to outpace Williams by 13 rushing yards on one fewer carry, although Corum's lack of a pass-game role was a disappointment. Nevertheless, it appears preseason talk about an even closer division of labor between the two backs this season could have some credibility as a Week 2 home matchup against the Giants on Monday night, Sept. 21 approaches.
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Kaelon Black: Stands out in regular-season debut
Friday, September 11, 2026 1:06 AM
Black rushed 14 times for 65 yards and brought in his only target for five yards during the 49ers' 27-7 Week 1 win over the Rams in Melbourne, Australia.
The rookie third-round pick opened the season as Christian McCaffrey's primary backup, but he actually ended up outpacing his star backfield mate by four carries as the 49ers progressively took control in the second half. Black earned the touches with multiple productive runs that showed off his explosiveness, and his ability to help keep McCaffrey fresh throughout the game should only help lead to more opportunities for the first-year back going forward. Black garnered the No. 2 job thanks to an impressive two-game preseason where he performed similarly to Week 1, lending credence to the notion the Indiana product could maintain his fantasy relevance, particularly in deeper formats, as his first NFL season unfolds.
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Davante Adams: Held in check in Week 1 loss
Friday, September 11, 2026 12:58 AM
Adams secured three of six targets for 26 yards during the Rams' 27-7 Week 1 loss to the 49ers in Melbourne, Australia.
The veteran receiver's final line underscores the kind of game it was for the Rams' air attack, which netted only 168 yards overall. Adams' numbers, modest as they were, still enabled him to tie for second in receptions while also checking in as the runner-up in both receiving yards and targets for Los Angeles. The only game during Adams' debut campaign in L.A. last year in which he generated a lower stat line was a Week 11 win over the Seahawks, when his only catch went for a one-yard touchdown, and he should have a chance to put together a more voluminous line during a Week 2 home matchup against the Giants on Monday night, Sept. 21.
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Matthew Stafford: Disappointing performance to open season
Friday, September 11, 2026 12:52 AM
Stafford completed 15 of 25 passes for 155 yards with no touchdowns and one interception while rushing twice for minus-1 yard during the Rams' 27-7 Week 1 loss to the 49ers in Melbourne, Australia.
The reigning NFL MVP looked anything but during a shockingly poor performance by his side of the ball, and Stafford finished with his lowest passing yardage total since Week 11 of last season. The veteran signal-caller tossed his one interception shortly before the halfway point of the second quarter on a pass intended for Puka Nacua just inside the 49ers' 15-yard line, a play that was costly both from the standpoint of the potential scoring opportunity it short-circuited and the fact it led to a San Francisco touchdown. Stafford's first chance to atone comes in a Week 2 home matchup against what is expected to be a fearsome Giants pass rush on Monday night, Sept. 21.
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Harrison Mevis: Has quiet season opener
Friday, September 11, 2026 12:31 AM
Mevis made his lone extra-point try and didn't attempt any field goals in the Rams' Week 1 loss to San Francisco.
The Rams offense was held in check by a spirited San Francisco defense, and Mevis' only opportunity to kick came following Los Angeles' lone touchdown early in the second quarter. Mevis also didn't see a ton of FG tries during his rookie campaign last year, but that was largely because Los Angeles was so adept at getting into the end zone -- he went 12-for-13 on field-goal attempts and 39-for-39 on PAT tries across nine regular-season games. The Rams offense figures to be much more productive most weeks, so Mevis should see more frequent scoring opportunities moving forward.
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Mike Evans: Clicks quickly with Purdy
Friday, September 11, 2026 12:24 AM
Evans secured six of seven targets for 49 yards and a touchdown during the 49ers' 27-7 Week 1 win over the Rams in Melbourne, Australia.
Evans shrugged off recent nagging injuries to hit the ground running in his 49ers regular-season debut, recording three catches for 22 yards on the opening possession alone. He would go on to double up that reception tally by game's end, tying for the team lead in that category with Deebo Samuel while also drawing even with his teammate for second in targets. Evans also was on the receiving end of the second of Brock Purdy's three touchdown passes, muscling his way to a contested two-yard grab in the left corner of the end zone in the third quarter. If early returns are any indication, the Purdy-Evans connection could be a prolific one throughout the season, and a Week 2 home matchup against the Dolphins on Sunday, Sept. 20 presents as a particularly promising matchup.
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Eddy Pineiro: Goes 2-for-3 on FG tries Thursday
Friday, September 11, 2026 12:18 AM
Pineiro converted two of his three field-goal attempts and all three of his extra-point tries in the 49ers' season-opening 27-7 win against the Rams.
Pineiro opened the scoring with a chip-shot 20-yard FG in the first quarter. His second field goal was much more difficult, as he nailed a 56-yarder early in the fourth. Pineiro had one more FG try, but he hit the right upright on a 52-yard attempt late in the fourth quarter with the game essentially in the bag for San Francisco. All in all, it was a successful season opener for the veteran kicker, whose six field goals from 50-plus yards out last season marked a career high. San Francisco's offense looked to be in good form against a tough Rams defense Thursday, so Pineiro could be in for plenty of opportunities in 2026.
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Brock Purdy: Three-TD effort to open season
Friday, September 11, 2026 12:16 AM
Purdy completed 25 of 34 passes for 205 yards with three touchdowns and one interception while adding five rushes for 29 yards during the 49ers' 27-7 Week 1 win over the Rams in Melbourne, Australia.
After an offseason in which the Rams' fearsome pass rush garnered plenty of headlines, Purdy navigated the season-opening matchup against his talented NFC West rival in nearly flawless fashion. The fifth-year signal-caller got off to a fast start with new No. 1 receiver Mike Evans, connecting with him on three occasions for 22 yards during a 15-play opening drive that culminated in a field goal. Purdy went on to hit Evans for a contested two-yard scoring strike early in the third quarter, and he sandwiched impressive touchdown tosses to Demarcus Robinson and Deebo Samuel of 39 and 15 yards, respectively, around that play. Purdy's early second-quarter interception on a pass intended for George Kittle did lead to the Rams' only touchdown, but as the final numbers indicate, the veteran quarterback did more than enough to atone. Purdy should have a strong chance of carrying over the season-opening momentum into Week 2, as a home date with what's expected to be a vulnerable Dolphins defense awaits on Sunday, Sept. 20.
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