Matt Barrows
@mattbarrows.bsky.social
Matt has covered the 49ers since 2003, first for The Sacramento Bee and now for The Athletic. Like fiction? Check out the crime novel Matt co-wrote. It's about a reporter who commits a series of murders ... https://a.co/d/hntQmF5
Pinned
Matt Barrows
@mattbarrows.bsky.social
· Dec 17
Inside the mind — and tattoos — of 49ers’ George Kittle, one of the NFL’s most interesting players
Kittle, a 'Lord of the Rings' devotee, sees life and an NFL season through that lens. On Thursday, he was channeling his inner Sauron.
www.nytimes.com
Attention “Lord of the Rings” fans: You have a kindred spirit in NFL star George Kittle, who sees himself as Strider but who’s contemplating a Sauron tattoo. Yes, it’s complicated … #LOTR #49ers
www.nytimes.com/athletic/599...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/599...
Short week for 49ers. The injury list from Sunday night:
* Trent Williams (hamstring)
* Upton Stout (concussion)
* Keion White (groin)
* Trent Williams (hamstring)
* Upton Stout (concussion)
* Keion White (groin)
December 29, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Short week for 49ers. The injury list from Sunday night:
* Trent Williams (hamstring)
* Upton Stout (concussion)
* Keion White (groin)
* Trent Williams (hamstring)
* Upton Stout (concussion)
* Keion White (groin)
No George Kittle (ankle) today, but Ricky Pearsall (knee) is active
49ers inactives:
Kittle (ankle)
CB Renardo Green (neck)
DT Kevin Givens
DE Robert Beal Jr.
RB Isaac Guerendo
WR Jordan Watkins
LB Curtis Robinson
49ers inactives:
Kittle (ankle)
CB Renardo Green (neck)
DT Kevin Givens
DE Robert Beal Jr.
RB Isaac Guerendo
WR Jordan Watkins
LB Curtis Robinson
December 28, 2025 at 11:54 PM
No George Kittle (ankle) today, but Ricky Pearsall (knee) is active
49ers inactives:
Kittle (ankle)
CB Renardo Green (neck)
DT Kevin Givens
DE Robert Beal Jr.
RB Isaac Guerendo
WR Jordan Watkins
LB Curtis Robinson
49ers inactives:
Kittle (ankle)
CB Renardo Green (neck)
DT Kevin Givens
DE Robert Beal Jr.
RB Isaac Guerendo
WR Jordan Watkins
LB Curtis Robinson
From June … Brant Boyer wants to build a new era — and a better aura — for 49ers special teams
www.nytimes.com/athletic/642...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/642...
Brant Boyer wants to build a new era — and better aura — for 49ers’ special teams
Boyer was given license to build the 49ers' special teams this offseason. He wasn't shy about tearing the old units down.
www.nytimes.com
December 28, 2025 at 4:08 PM
From June … Brant Boyer wants to build a new era — and a better aura — for 49ers special teams
www.nytimes.com/athletic/642...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/642...
Ankle info? Fred Warner will be a part of NBC/Peacock’s 'Football Night in America' tomorrow beginning at 4 p.m. (PST). He’ll be part of the parking lot crew w/ Tony Dungy, Rodney Harrison and Jac Collinsworth, then head in for some segments inside Levi’s Stadium. #49ers #Bears
December 27, 2025 at 10:51 PM
High-ankle sprain returnees Tatum Bethune and Sam Okuayinonu were full go in practice all week. Also, I believe QB Kurtis Rourke's practice window will close at the end of the week. Rourke likely will be part of the team's QB mix to begin the 2026 offseason.
December 26, 2025 at 11:30 PM
High-ankle sprain returnees Tatum Bethune and Sam Okuayinonu were full go in practice all week. Also, I believe QB Kurtis Rourke's practice window will close at the end of the week. Rourke likely will be part of the team's QB mix to begin the 2026 offseason.
Kyle Shanahan said the 49ers were close to opening Jacob Cowing's practice window this week and would be surprised if it's not opened next week.
December 26, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Kyle Shanahan said the 49ers were close to opening Jacob Cowing's practice window this week and would be surprised if it's not opened next week.
49ers injury report:
Out: QB Kurtis Rourke (practicing but still on NFI), Renardo Green (neck)
Questionable: TE George Kittle, Ricky Pearsall (knee)
Out: QB Kurtis Rourke (practicing but still on NFI), Renardo Green (neck)
Questionable: TE George Kittle, Ricky Pearsall (knee)
December 26, 2025 at 10:27 PM
49ers injury report:
Out: QB Kurtis Rourke (practicing but still on NFI), Renardo Green (neck)
Questionable: TE George Kittle, Ricky Pearsall (knee)
Out: QB Kurtis Rourke (practicing but still on NFI), Renardo Green (neck)
Questionable: TE George Kittle, Ricky Pearsall (knee)
Reposted by Matt Barrows
Which free agents will the 49ers want back? A Christmas mailbag …
www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
Jauan Jennings, Skyy Moore and the free agents the 49ers want back: Mailbag
Also among this week's questions: What previous 49ers team does this year's resemble? And who will play linebacker against the Bears?
www.nytimes.com
December 25, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Which free agents will the 49ers want back? A Christmas mailbag …
www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
Which free agents will the 49ers want back? A Christmas mailbag …
www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
Jauan Jennings, Skyy Moore and the free agents the 49ers want back: Mailbag
Also among this week's questions: What previous 49ers team does this year's resemble? And who will play linebacker against the Bears?
www.nytimes.com
December 25, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Which free agents will the 49ers want back? A Christmas mailbag …
www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
#49ers practice report:
* No practice for George Kittle (ankle), Yetur Gross-Matos (knee). Shanahan said Kittle "has a chance" to play vs. Bears
* Ricky Pearsall (knee, ankle) and Renardo Green (neck) will be limited.
* Tatum Bethune (ankle) is full go
* No practice for George Kittle (ankle), Yetur Gross-Matos (knee). Shanahan said Kittle "has a chance" to play vs. Bears
* Ricky Pearsall (knee, ankle) and Renardo Green (neck) will be limited.
* Tatum Bethune (ankle) is full go
December 24, 2025 at 9:41 PM
#49ers practice report:
* No practice for George Kittle (ankle), Yetur Gross-Matos (knee). Shanahan said Kittle "has a chance" to play vs. Bears
* Ricky Pearsall (knee, ankle) and Renardo Green (neck) will be limited.
* Tatum Bethune (ankle) is full go
* No practice for George Kittle (ankle), Yetur Gross-Matos (knee). Shanahan said Kittle "has a chance" to play vs. Bears
* Ricky Pearsall (knee, ankle) and Renardo Green (neck) will be limited.
* Tatum Bethune (ankle) is full go
Reposted by Matt Barrows
#49ers minutia minute:
* CMC falls off 1,000/1,000 pace
* Jennings overtakes Bourne
* That’s two in a row for Trent Williams
* Rookie DTs step up (in the pocket)
* A 49er finally cracks 20 mph!
* Mustapha bounces back
* Special teams noticed
* Snap counts
* More!
www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
* CMC falls off 1,000/1,000 pace
* Jennings overtakes Bourne
* That’s two in a row for Trent Williams
* Rookie DTs step up (in the pocket)
* A 49er finally cracks 20 mph!
* Mustapha bounces back
* Special teams noticed
* Snap counts
* More!
www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
49ers minutia minute: Young safeties bounce back; CJ West has his best game
Trent Williams, Malik Mustapha and Ji'Ayir Brown were among the 49ers with standout performances in Indianapolis.
www.nytimes.com
December 24, 2025 at 4:36 PM
#49ers minutia minute:
* CMC falls off 1,000/1,000 pace
* Jennings overtakes Bourne
* That’s two in a row for Trent Williams
* Rookie DTs step up (in the pocket)
* A 49er finally cracks 20 mph!
* Mustapha bounces back
* Special teams noticed
* Snap counts
* More!
www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
* CMC falls off 1,000/1,000 pace
* Jennings overtakes Bourne
* That’s two in a row for Trent Williams
* Rookie DTs step up (in the pocket)
* A 49er finally cracks 20 mph!
* Mustapha bounces back
* Special teams noticed
* Snap counts
* More!
www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
#49ers minutia minute:
* CMC falls off 1,000/1,000 pace
* Jennings overtakes Bourne
* That’s two in a row for Trent Williams
* Rookie DTs step up (in the pocket)
* A 49er finally cracks 20 mph!
* Mustapha bounces back
* Special teams noticed
* Snap counts
* More!
www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
* CMC falls off 1,000/1,000 pace
* Jennings overtakes Bourne
* That’s two in a row for Trent Williams
* Rookie DTs step up (in the pocket)
* A 49er finally cracks 20 mph!
* Mustapha bounces back
* Special teams noticed
* Snap counts
* More!
www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
49ers minutia minute: Young safeties bounce back; CJ West has his best game
Trent Williams, Malik Mustapha and Ji'Ayir Brown were among the 49ers with standout performances in Indianapolis.
www.nytimes.com
December 24, 2025 at 4:36 PM
#49ers minutia minute:
* CMC falls off 1,000/1,000 pace
* Jennings overtakes Bourne
* That’s two in a row for Trent Williams
* Rookie DTs step up (in the pocket)
* A 49er finally cracks 20 mph!
* Mustapha bounces back
* Special teams noticed
* Snap counts
* More!
www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
* CMC falls off 1,000/1,000 pace
* Jennings overtakes Bourne
* That’s two in a row for Trent Williams
* Rookie DTs step up (in the pocket)
* A 49er finally cracks 20 mph!
* Mustapha bounces back
* Special teams noticed
* Snap counts
* More!
www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
Dear Santa,
All I want this week are some good #49ers mailbag questions (with the asker's first name and last initial included).
Signed,
Matt B.
All I want this week are some good #49ers mailbag questions (with the asker's first name and last initial included).
Signed,
Matt B.
December 24, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Dear Santa,
All I want this week are some good #49ers mailbag questions (with the asker's first name and last initial included).
Signed,
Matt B.
All I want this week are some good #49ers mailbag questions (with the asker's first name and last initial included).
Signed,
Matt B.
49ers minutia minute: Malik Mustapha bounces back; CJ West has his best game
www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
49ers minutia minute: Young safeties bounce back; CJ West has his best game
Trent Williams, Malik Mustapha and Ji'Ayir Brown were among the 49ers with standout performances in Indianapolis.
www.nytimes.com
December 24, 2025 at 3:27 PM
49ers minutia minute: Malik Mustapha bounces back; CJ West has his best game
www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
Reposted by Matt Barrows
“Pretty close to a perfect game”: 49ers Brock Purdy getting hot at just the right time…
www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
49ers’ Brock Purdy getting hot at just the right time: ‘Pretty close to a perfect game’
Something Purdy had in common with 44-year-old Philip Rivers on Monday — mental sharpness, which came in handy in a big Monday night win.
www.nytimes.com
December 23, 2025 at 4:10 PM
“Pretty close to a perfect game”: 49ers Brock Purdy getting hot at just the right time…
www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
Reposted by Matt Barrows
New "49ers +/-" with @mattbarrows.bsky.social -- on a scrappy, overachieving 11-4 team possibly ready to make a Super Bowl run... without leaving home.
-Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/45G1...
-Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/4...
-Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/45G1...
-Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/4...
[49ers +/-] Sprinting to the Super Bowl?
open.spotify.com
December 23, 2025 at 9:31 PM
New "49ers +/-" with @mattbarrows.bsky.social -- on a scrappy, overachieving 11-4 team possibly ready to make a Super Bowl run... without leaving home.
-Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/45G1...
-Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/4...
-Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/45G1...
-Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/4...
🎶You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch🎼
December 23, 2025 at 8:05 PM
🎶You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch🎼
Reposted by Matt Barrows
49ers’ defense was panicking during Philip Rivers’ hot start, but made adjustments and gained confidence in win over Colts ⤵️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
December 23, 2025 at 4:19 PM
49ers’ defense was panicking during Philip Rivers’ hot start, but made adjustments and gained confidence in win over Colts ⤵️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
Six #49ers voted to the Pro Bowl:
* Luke Gifford (special teams)
* FB Kyle Juszczyk
* TE George Kittle
* RB Christian McCaffrey
* LS Jon Weeks
* T Trent Williams
PR Skyy Moore is an alternate. The league obviously noted SF’s special teams improvement.
* Luke Gifford (special teams)
* FB Kyle Juszczyk
* TE George Kittle
* RB Christian McCaffrey
* LS Jon Weeks
* T Trent Williams
PR Skyy Moore is an alternate. The league obviously noted SF’s special teams improvement.
December 23, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Six #49ers voted to the Pro Bowl:
* Luke Gifford (special teams)
* FB Kyle Juszczyk
* TE George Kittle
* RB Christian McCaffrey
* LS Jon Weeks
* T Trent Williams
PR Skyy Moore is an alternate. The league obviously noted SF’s special teams improvement.
* Luke Gifford (special teams)
* FB Kyle Juszczyk
* TE George Kittle
* RB Christian McCaffrey
* LS Jon Weeks
* T Trent Williams
PR Skyy Moore is an alternate. The league obviously noted SF’s special teams improvement.
“Pretty close to a perfect game”: 49ers Brock Purdy getting hot at just the right time…
www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
49ers’ Brock Purdy getting hot at just the right time: ‘Pretty close to a perfect game’
Something Purdy had in common with 44-year-old Philip Rivers on Monday — mental sharpness, which came in handy in a big Monday night win.
www.nytimes.com
December 23, 2025 at 4:10 PM
“Pretty close to a perfect game”: 49ers Brock Purdy getting hot at just the right time…
www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
George Kittle said he doesn't think he has a high-ankle sprain. He said it happened in the second quarter on a play on which he got taken down with an apparent hip-drop tackle.
December 23, 2025 at 5:07 AM
George Kittle said he doesn't think he has a high-ankle sprain. He said it happened in the second quarter on a play on which he got taken down with an apparent hip-drop tackle.
Kendrick Bourne's next goal: He gets $750K if he reaches 600 receiving yards.
December 23, 2025 at 2:33 AM
Kendrick Bourne's next goal: He gets $750K if he reaches 600 receiving yards.
That sack/fumble was very similar to the Hasson Reddick play in Philadelphia. A DE beat a TE on that play, too.
December 23, 2025 at 2:29 AM
That sack/fumble was very similar to the Hasson Reddick play in Philadelphia. A DE beat a TE on that play, too.
I hate to interrupt #PhilPhest, but Brock Purdy is 7-9 (with two drops) and has thrown three touchdowns. And we're not even half way through the second quarter.
December 23, 2025 at 2:23 AM
I hate to interrupt #PhilPhest, but Brock Purdy is 7-9 (with two drops) and has thrown three touchdowns. And we're not even half way through the second quarter.