Head coach Kyle Shanahan met with reporters on Tuesday as the San Francisco 49ers turned the page from their Wild Card win over the Philadelphia Eagles and began preparations for a Divisional Round rematch against the Seattle Seahawks. With a short week ahead and familiar opponent on deck, Shanahan addressed the injury report, workload management, and the unique challenges of facing a division rival for the second time in three weeks.<\/p>\n
Here are the top takeaways from Shanahan as postseason preparation continued:<\/p>\n
\n Injury Report, Warner and Kittle Updates<\/p>\n
Shanahan opened with updates from Sunday’s playoff victory, outlining the injury report as the team navigates a condensed week.<\/p>\n
Linebacker Luke Gifford<\/a> (quad) and safety Ji’Ayir Brown<\/a> (hamstring) did not practice for the team’s first workout of the week. Offensive lineman Dominick Puni<\/a> (ankle), defensive lineman Keion White<\/a> (groin\/hamstring), wide receiver Ricky Pearsall<\/a> (knee), defensive lineman Yetur Gross-Matos<\/a> (knee), linebacker Dee Winters<\/a> (ankle), and tackle Trent Williams<\/a> (hamstring\/veteran day) were all listed as limited.<\/p>\n Shanahan added that linebacker Nick Martin<\/a> remains in protocol and will not be activated yet, while linebacker Fred Warner<\/a>‘s practice window has officially opened.<\/p>\n “We’re opening his window so he can do some stuff,” Shanahan said. “But again, we’re not doing much, so he’ll walk-through out there with us today and things like that. But, hoping he can be ready for next week.”<\/p>\n Also, Shanahan announced that tight end George Kittle<\/a> will undergo season-ending surgery Wednesday. The surgery comes three days after tearing his right Achilles tendon in the second quarter of the Wild Card contest.<\/p>\n \n Managing a Short Week<\/p>\n With the Divisional Round matchup set for Saturday night in Seattle, Shanahan said the coaching staff adjusted the team’s schedule to prioritize recovery.<\/p>\n The 49ers shortened Tuesday’s workday to roughly three-and-a-half hours, holding only walk-throughs and avoiding any full-speed reps.<\/p>\n “We usually bring them in for about seven hours today. They’re only in for about three-and-a-half. We’ll do all walk-through, nothing full speed. We won’t go against each other at all. And then we’ll see how it goes.”<\/p>\n Shanahan noted the approach differs from Week 18, when San Francisco played its third game in 13 days.<\/p>\n “That week we didn’t do one thing full speed,” Shanahan said. “We’ll see how guys feel and decide what we want to do tomorrow.”<\/p>\n \n Familiar Foe Means Simplified Preparation<\/p>\n Facing the Seahawks for the second time in two weeks presents a unique postseason challenge, but Shanahan shared that familiarity works both ways.<\/p>\n “We know each other very well. We’ve played against each other a ton. The schemes even the last time we played didn’t change much on both sides as opposed to Week 1. So, I think both teams got an idea of exactly what to expect.”<\/p>\n While wrinkles and situational adjustments remain, Shanahan said the postseason naturally simplifies preparation.<\/p>\n “You definitely can’t overthink it,” Shanahan said. “Playoffs as a whole are kind of that way too.”<\/p>\n \n Confidence in Next-Man-Up Performances<\/p>\n Shanahan praised several defenders who stepped into expanded roles against Philadelphia, including linebackers Garret Wallow<\/a> and Eric Kendricks<\/a> and safety Marques Sigle<\/a>.<\/p>\n Wallow led the team with 11 tackles in his first career postseason start, while Kendricks added 10 tackles and Keion White<\/a> recorded the first postseason sack of his career.<\/p>\n “Sigle showed us early in the year, and we see him at practice every day. We never knew when his (opportunity) would come and right when Tig (S JiAyir Brown) went down, he was ready and he did play as good as it felt live. Kendricks was another story, just coming off the street, being at home.<\/p>\n “All those guys played at such a high level, and that’s what we need. We’ve had a lot of guys injured, so guys have to come in and step it up.”<\/p>\n Shanahan said their performances provided confidence heading into another physical playoff matchup.<\/p>\n \n Building Drives<\/p>\n Looking back at the Wild Card win, Shanahan emphasized the importance of sustaining drives, particularly when the opposing offense controls time of possession.<\/p>\n “When another team holds the ball for a while\u2026 you have to be on point. Whether that’s doing better on first and second down so you avoid as many third downs as we did. But, if you don’t do that, you’ve got to do good on third down.”<\/p>\n Shanahan credited quarterback Brock Purdy<\/a>‘s ability to layer throws, pointing to the 45-yard completion down the middle of the field to wide receiver Jauan Jennings<\/a>.<\/p>\n “I’m not going to say anyone’s better than Brock at it. That’s probably one of Brock’s best things. He can really drop it in a bucket. The guys can be deep and if there’s a way to get it over that guy and bring it down before you sail it over a receiver, he’s going to do that and he doesn’t miss it very much.”<\/p>\n Jennings later added a postseason touchdown pass to running back Christian McCaffrey<\/a>, becoming the only non-quarterback in the Super Bowl era with multiple career postseason touchdown passes.<\/p>\n \n ‘Ready to Roll’<\/p>\n Despite the short turnaround and road environment, Shanahan said the team’s mindset remains steady.<\/p>\n “Once you get to the playoffs, it really doesn’t matter. Everyone’s into it. So, whether they gave us three days, one day, eight days, you always have your preferences for common sense reasons, but whenever you get dealt your hand, you’re ready to roll.”<\/p>\n