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...
What the 49ers need to do this offseason to get back on top. TK and I break down the roadmap that the Seahawks nicely laid out on Saturday ...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNDO...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNDO...
49ers Need WRs, DEs & More | 49ers +/-
YouTube video by 49ers Plus Minus Podcast
www.youtube.com
January 19, 2026 at 3:24 AM
What the 49ers need to do this offseason to get back on top. TK and I break down the roadmap that the Seahawks nicely laid out on Saturday ...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNDO...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNDO...
49ers’ improbable season ends with defiance, pride — despite another thumping from Seahawks…
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
49ers’ improbable season ends with defiance, pride despite thumping from Seahawks
The 49ers insisted they're in the same echelon as the Seahawks, but The Improbables didn't have that magic Saturday night.
www.nytimes.com
January 18, 2026 at 4:47 PM
49ers’ improbable season ends with defiance, pride — despite another thumping from Seahawks…
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
Jake Tonges is out of the blue tent and doing some light jogging on the sideline.
January 18, 2026 at 3:17 AM
Jake Tonges is out of the blue tent and doing some light jogging on the sideline.
Alfred Collins back out of the tent with his helmet on. Appears to be OK.
Alfred Collins being helped to the sideline after that Walker run. Now heading to the blue tent.
January 18, 2026 at 2:50 AM
Alfred Collins back out of the tent with his helmet on. Appears to be OK.
A game to forget for rookie Marques Sigle.
January 18, 2026 at 2:45 AM
A game to forget for rookie Marques Sigle.
Alfred Collins being helped to the sideline after that Walker run. Now heading to the blue tent.
January 18, 2026 at 2:45 AM
Alfred Collins being helped to the sideline after that Walker run. Now heading to the blue tent.
McCaffrey + Tonges = 124 yards
Every other 49er: 3 yards
Every other 49er: 3 yards
January 18, 2026 at 2:23 AM
McCaffrey + Tonges = 124 yards
Every other 49er: 3 yards
Every other 49er: 3 yards
Reposted by Matt Barrows
Broncos QB Bo Nix is out for the rest of the season after breaking a bone in his ankle on the second-to-last play of the game against the Bills, Sean Payton announced.
Jarrett Stidham will start against the winner of Texans-Patriots next Sunday.
Jarrett Stidham will start against the winner of Texans-Patriots next Sunday.
January 18, 2026 at 2:15 AM
Broncos QB Bo Nix is out for the rest of the season after breaking a bone in his ankle on the second-to-last play of the game against the Bills, Sean Payton announced.
Jarrett Stidham will start against the winner of Texans-Patriots next Sunday.
Jarrett Stidham will start against the winner of Texans-Patriots next Sunday.
Can’t believe how many Kyle Juuuuuszczykk fans are in attendance….
January 18, 2026 at 1:18 AM
Can’t believe how many Kyle Juuuuuszczykk fans are in attendance….
49ers-Seahawks pushed back to 5:20 (PST)
January 18, 2026 at 12:58 AM
49ers-Seahawks pushed back to 5:20 (PST)
If Bills-Broncos goes to OT, 49ers-Seahawks could get pushed back. That might make the timing of any pre-game pain blockers interesting
January 18, 2026 at 12:42 AM
If Bills-Broncos goes to OT, 49ers-Seahawks could get pushed back. That might make the timing of any pre-game pain blockers interesting
49ers' top three LBs for today’s game:
MLB: Eric Kendricks
WLB: Dee Winters
SLB: Garret Wallow
Marques Sigle is lining up as the starting safety
MLB: Eric Kendricks
WLB: Dee Winters
SLB: Garret Wallow
Marques Sigle is lining up as the starting safety
January 18, 2026 at 12:37 AM
49ers' top three LBs for today’s game:
MLB: Eric Kendricks
WLB: Dee Winters
SLB: Garret Wallow
Marques Sigle is lining up as the starting safety
MLB: Eric Kendricks
WLB: Dee Winters
SLB: Garret Wallow
Marques Sigle is lining up as the starting safety
Ricky Pearsall, Dee Winters and Luke Gifford are active.
#49ers inactives
S Ji’Ayir Brown (hamstring)
RB Isaac Guerendo
DT Kevin Givens
DT Sebastian Valdez
T Brandon Parker
WR Jordan Watkins
DE Robert Beal
#49ers inactives
S Ji’Ayir Brown (hamstring)
RB Isaac Guerendo
DT Kevin Givens
DT Sebastian Valdez
T Brandon Parker
WR Jordan Watkins
DE Robert Beal
January 17, 2026 at 11:33 PM
Ricky Pearsall, Dee Winters and Luke Gifford are active.
#49ers inactives
S Ji’Ayir Brown (hamstring)
RB Isaac Guerendo
DT Kevin Givens
DT Sebastian Valdez
T Brandon Parker
WR Jordan Watkins
DE Robert Beal
#49ers inactives
S Ji’Ayir Brown (hamstring)
RB Isaac Guerendo
DT Kevin Givens
DT Sebastian Valdez
T Brandon Parker
WR Jordan Watkins
DE Robert Beal
49ers optimistic LB Luke Gifford, who missed Sunday's game in Philly with a quad injury, will play today. SF special teams has been strong this season but tailed off the last two games and SEA has been excellent in that area. Gifford is a ST Pro Bowler.
January 17, 2026 at 10:31 PM
49ers optimistic LB Luke Gifford, who missed Sunday's game in Philly with a quad injury, will play today. SF special teams has been strong this season but tailed off the last two games and SEA has been excellent in that area. Gifford is a ST Pro Bowler.
Saleh + Kubiak + Mac Jones (trade) + Kendrick Bourne (FA) = playoff berth.
The Steelers have submitted an interview request for 49ers offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak for their head coach vacancy, per source.
January 15, 2026 at 11:38 PM
Saleh + Kubiak + Mac Jones (trade) + Kendrick Bourne (FA) = playoff berth.
Kyle Shanahan said he got a positive report about George Kittle's Achilles surgery, which was performed in L.A .Wednesday by Dr. Neal ElAttrache.
ElAttrache's 49ers patients have done well in the past. He handled the ACL surgeries for Jimmy Garoppolo, Nick Bosa x2, Solomon Thomas, Curtis Robinson.
ElAttrache's 49ers patients have done well in the past. He handled the ACL surgeries for Jimmy Garoppolo, Nick Bosa x2, Solomon Thomas, Curtis Robinson.
January 15, 2026 at 10:19 PM
Kyle Shanahan said he got a positive report about George Kittle's Achilles surgery, which was performed in L.A .Wednesday by Dr. Neal ElAttrache.
ElAttrache's 49ers patients have done well in the past. He handled the ACL surgeries for Jimmy Garoppolo, Nick Bosa x2, Solomon Thomas, Curtis Robinson.
ElAttrache's 49ers patients have done well in the past. He handled the ACL surgeries for Jimmy Garoppolo, Nick Bosa x2, Solomon Thomas, Curtis Robinson.
Fred Warner won't play in Seattle. Ricky Pearsall is questionable. Trent Williams -- absent in the last Seahawks matchup -- doesn't have any designation this week.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
49ers LB Fred Warner will not play vs. Seahawks, Kyle Shanahan says
Warner returned to practice Tuesday, just over three months after surgery on his dislocated and fractured right ankle.
www.nytimes.com
January 15, 2026 at 10:11 PM
Fred Warner won't play in Seattle. Ricky Pearsall is questionable. Trent Williams -- absent in the last Seahawks matchup -- doesn't have any designation this week.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
It's probably part of his return-to-action sequence (one practice on, one practice off, etc.). But Shanahan likely will shed light when he talks in 15 minutes.
sure hope Fred didn't have a setback yesterday
Fred Warner doesn’t appear to be practicing today but, hey, Luke Gifford was back …
January 15, 2026 at 9:01 PM
It's probably part of his return-to-action sequence (one practice on, one practice off, etc.). But Shanahan likely will shed light when he talks in 15 minutes.
Reposted by Matt Barrows
The Tennessee Titans are set to wrap up their first round of head coaching interviews this weekend, with Robert Saleh scheduled as the final candidate.
The team will begin its second round of interviews starting Monday.
The team will begin its second round of interviews starting Monday.
January 15, 2026 at 8:47 PM
The Tennessee Titans are set to wrap up their first round of head coaching interviews this weekend, with Robert Saleh scheduled as the final candidate.
The team will begin its second round of interviews starting Monday.
The team will begin its second round of interviews starting Monday.
Fred Warner doesn’t appear to be practicing today but, hey, Luke Gifford was back …
January 15, 2026 at 8:42 PM
Fred Warner doesn’t appear to be practicing today but, hey, Luke Gifford was back …
Reposted by Matt Barrows
New "49ers +/-" episode with @mattbarrows.bsky.social -- Fred Warner back on the practice field & other positive signs going into Saturday's huge game in Seattle.
-Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/1UGa...
-Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/4...
-Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/1UGa...
-Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/4...
[49ers +/-] Fred Warner Sighting & More Positive Signs
open.spotify.com
January 15, 2026 at 3:14 PM
New "49ers +/-" episode with @mattbarrows.bsky.social -- Fred Warner back on the practice field & other positive signs going into Saturday's huge game in Seattle.
-Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/1UGa...
-Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/4...
-Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/1UGa...
-Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/4...
Eric Kendricks suddenly became the 49ers’ glue. How the heck was someone so valuable still available?
www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
Eric Kendricks suddenly became the 49ers’ glue. How the heck was he still available?
Last season ended with five active linebackers in the 1,000-tackle club. Only Kendricks had to wait until late November to join a team.
www.nytimes.com
January 15, 2026 at 2:27 PM
Eric Kendricks suddenly became the 49ers’ glue. How the heck was someone so valuable still available?
www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
This was my Dec. gauge on when Fred Warner might be back. Was I a few ticks too low on Round 2?
www.nytimes.com/athletic/685...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/685...
January 15, 2026 at 2:21 AM
This was my Dec. gauge on when Fred Warner might be back. Was I a few ticks too low on Round 2?
www.nytimes.com/athletic/685...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/685...
“I honestly didn’t see him until later (in the walk-through). But I felt something. I felt the aura. And then I peeked behind me, and it was like, ‘Whoa! He’s got his jersey on?’”
The 49ers got an unexpected Fred Warner bump on Tuesday ...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/696...
The 49ers got an unexpected Fred Warner bump on Tuesday ...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/696...
How the 49ers’ approach will change for another short-week game vs. the Seahawks
Fred Warner's return to practice was a much-needed surprise — and a boost — for 49ers teammates amid a grueling five-week stretch.
www.nytimes.com
January 14, 2026 at 6:02 PM
“I honestly didn’t see him until later (in the walk-through). But I felt something. I felt the aura. And then I peeked behind me, and it was like, ‘Whoa! He’s got his jersey on?’”
The 49ers got an unexpected Fred Warner bump on Tuesday ...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/696...
The 49ers got an unexpected Fred Warner bump on Tuesday ...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/696...