Matt Barrows
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mattbarrows.bsky.social
Matt Barrows
@mattbarrows.bsky.social
8.2K followers 170 following 1.1K posts
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
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mattbarrows.bsky.social
Matt Barrows @mattbarrows.bsky.social · Dec 17
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...
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
mattbarrows.bsky.social
A smart game for Brock Purdy, who gets high marks in Cleveland — including for the throws he didn’t attempts …
www.nytimes.com/athletic/685...
49ers’ Brock Purdy gets high marks vs. Browns, including for throws he didn’t attempt
Purdy rebounded from last week's rotten outing, especially on a 33-yard pass to George Kittle that changed the tenor of the game.
www.nytimes.com
November 30, 2025 at 11:43 PM
mattbarrows.bsky.social
FB Kyle Juszczyk (ribs) is questionable to return.
November 30, 2025 at 8:30 PM
mattbarrows.bsky.social
49ers sack leaders:

Bryce Huff: 4
Clelin Ferrell: 3
November 30, 2025 at 6:44 PM
mattbarrows.bsky.social
NFL cities in which #49ers interim K Matt Gay has never kicked:

Buffalo
Chicago
Cleveland*
Las Vegas
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh

* Plays there today!
November 30, 2025 at 4:58 PM
mattbarrows.bsky.social
#49ers inactives
K Eddy Pineiro (hamstring)
LB Tatum Bethune (ankle)
DE Sam Okuayinonu (ankle)
DL Kevin Givens
WR Jordan Watkins
RB Jordan James
OL Connor Colby

Virtually the same as Vs. Panthers except Sam O. is out, Robert Beal is in.
November 30, 2025 at 4:32 PM
mattbarrows.bsky.social
Starting your Xmas shopping today? Here's the rare book that men/women enjoy equally. I'll be signing books with my sister today from 1-3 p.m. at the Barnes & Noble at the Tanforan shopping center in San Bruno. 4.6 stars!
November 29, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Reposted by Matt Barrows
timkawakami.bsky.social
New "49ers +/-" episode with @mattbarrows.bsky.social -- first team to 17 (or 14?) could win it in the wind, rain and snow on Sunday in Cleveland. How the 49ers and Brock Purdy can manage it.
-Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/0bCh...
-Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/4...
[49ers +/-] Into the Cleveland Cold & Rain
open.spotify.com
November 29, 2025 at 3:02 AM
mattbarrows.bsky.social
49ers injury status for Sunday:

Out: LB Tatum Bethune (high ankle), DE Sam Okuayinonu (high ankle), K Eddy Pineiro (hamstring)
November 28, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Reposted by Matt Barrows
mattbarrows.bsky.social
#49ers Brock Purdy to face two forces of nature Sunday: Myles Garrett and a winter storm …
www.nytimes.com/athletic/684...
November 27, 2025 at 3:47 PM
mattbarrows.bsky.social
#49ers Brock Purdy to face two forces of nature Sunday: Myles Garrett and a winter storm …
www.nytimes.com/athletic/684...
November 27, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Reposted by Matt Barrows
mattbarrows.bsky.social
#49ers minutia minute:
* Panthers didn’t like being served pancakes by Jauan Jennings
* Kendrick Bourne silent … again
* First clean sheet for McKivitz
* Bryce Huff’s win rate
* Saleh HEARTS big nickel
* Stout at tackling
* Nick Martin shows on special teams
* More!
www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
49ers minutia minute: Panthers defenders didn’t enjoy Jauan Jennings’ pancakes
Colton McKivitz had his first clean sheet of the season as the 49ers held the Panthers without a sack on Monday.
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:46 PM
mattbarrows.bsky.social
Kyle Shanahan said the team won't open the practice windows for any players (including Brandon Aiyuk) this week or next week (bye).
November 26, 2025 at 7:58 PM
mattbarrows.bsky.social
#49ers minutia minute:
* Panthers didn’t like being served pancakes by Jauan Jennings
* Kendrick Bourne silent … again
* First clean sheet for McKivitz
* Bryce Huff’s win rate
* Saleh HEARTS big nickel
* Stout at tackling
* Nick Martin shows on special teams
* More!
www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
49ers minutia minute: Panthers defenders didn’t enjoy Jauan Jennings’ pancakes
Colton McKivitz had his first clean sheet of the season as the 49ers held the Panthers without a sack on Monday.
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:46 PM
mattbarrows.bsky.social
49ers minutia minute: Panthers defenders didn’t enjoy Jauan Jennings’ pancakes
www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
49ers minutia minute: Panthers defenders didn’t enjoy Jauan Jennings’ pancakes
Colton McKivitz had his first clean sheet of the season as the 49ers held the Panthers without a sack on Monday.
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:38 PM
mattbarrows.bsky.social
Kyle Shanahan may have defended Brock Purdy with words after Monday's game, but with actions? There were no aggressive, down-field passes in the second half.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
November 25, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Reposted by Matt Barrows
victafur.bsky.social
And here’s @mattbarrows.bsky.social on how 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan defended Brock Purdy after three interceptions: ‘Just a hair late’ ⤵️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
49ers’ Kyle Shanahan defends Brock Purdy after three interceptions: ‘Just a hair late’
Shanahan said he never considered replacing Purdy with Mac Jones, while Purdy said his toe injury was not a factor in the interceptions.
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:34 PM
mattbarrows.bsky.social
49ers’ Kyle Shanahan defends Brock Purdy after three interceptions: ‘Just a hair late’
www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
49ers’ Kyle Shanahan defends Brock Purdy after three interceptions: ‘Just a hair late’
Shanahan said he never considered replacing Purdy with Mac Jones, while Purdy said his toe injury was not a factor in the interceptions.
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:53 PM
mattbarrows.bsky.social
Roger Craig tears up upon saying hello to Christian McCaffrey before today’s game …
November 25, 2025 at 1:07 AM
mattbarrows.bsky.social
Based on warmups, rookie Nick Martin will continue his role as strongside linebacker and Spencer Burford will start at left guard. He’s been alternating series with Ben Bartch.
November 25, 2025 at 12:43 AM
mattbarrows.bsky.social
#49ers inactives:
K Eddy Pineiro (hamstring)
LB Tatum Bethune (ankle)
DE Robert Beal Jr. (concussion)
WR Jordan Watkins
RB Jordan James
OL Connor Colby
DL Kevin Givens
November 24, 2025 at 11:47 PM
mattbarrows.bsky.social
“He’s one of those guys who’s good at everything”

In an ultra-competitive 49ers locker room, one man reigns supreme in chess, anagrams and word hunt …
www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
November 24, 2025 at 10:33 PM
mattbarrows.bsky.social
The 49ers elevated K Matt Gay and LB Jalen Graham from the practice squad for today’s game. Graham likely is the backup mike linebacker behind starter Curtis Robinson
November 24, 2025 at 9:42 PM
mattbarrows.bsky.social
A look back at the Christian McCaffrey trade that set the stage for 49ers-Panthers tilt
www.nytimes.com/athletic/682...
A look back at the Christian McCaffrey trade that set the stage for 49ers-Panthers tilt
The 49ers packaged a second-, third- and fourth-round pick in 2023 and a fifth-rounder in 2024 for McCaffrey from the Panthers.
www.nytimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:50 PM
mattbarrows.bsky.social
49ers +/-: TK and I talk Brandon Aiyuk, possible reasons for voiding his 2026 guarantees and why the 49ers have So. Many. Contractual. Issues. At. Receiver.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfPV...
49ers' Constant WR Issues | 49ers +/-
YouTube video by 49ers Plus Minus Podcast
www.youtube.com
November 23, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Reposted by Matt Barrows
timkawakami.bsky.social
New semi-emergency "49ers +/-" episode with @mattbarrows.bsky.social on the Brandon Aiyuk drama -- what Kyle Shanahan said, what led to this, and what happens next.

-Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/7LTk...
-Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/4...
[49ers +/-] The Long 49ers/Aiyuk Breakup
open.spotify.com
November 23, 2025 at 2:11 PM