The Write Zone

I’m feeling good going into the bye week for San Francisco. I have the latest updates on Brandon Aiyuk, Fred Warner, and our other injured players. I’m taking a look at the playoff picture for the Niners, and some games that could flip the script of the NFC. I also wanted to touch on the coaching this season and break down their win vs. the Browns.

Injury Update

Let’s start off with some positive updates for Fred Warner. He will not be returning this season, but he had some big news on ‘Real Ones: The League.’

“We’re at a little over five weeks post op,” Warner shared. “We got a huge, huge day coming up … I finally get to take my boot off. I’ve been wearing that boot ever since my surgery. Next Tuesday … I get to take my boot off and finally get off this scooter.”

It’s going to be great seeing him walking around again, and he will most likely be perfectly healthy even before the training camp. With both him and Nick Bosa back on their feet without needing support, that gives the Niners defense a positive outlook for the 2026 season. Not that they’re not already holding their own, I mean, but I’ll talk about that in a minute.

Some other players have been injured, and here they are:

Kyle Juszczyk (FB): Rib fracture, will be re-evaluated after the bye week.

Ben Bartch (LG): Foot sprain, likely out for the season.

Nick Martin (LB): Concussion, entered the NFL’s concussion protocol.

Tatum Bethune (LB): Ankle injury, out for Week 13 and potentially longer.

Sam Okuayinonu (DL): Ankle injury, out for Week 13.

Eddy Piñeiro (K): Hamstring injury, out for Week 13. 

Juszczyk is a new name on there. He got hit during the Browns game and has sustained a potentially bad injury that could keep him down. But, on a positive note, kicker Eddie Piñeiro, linebacker Tatum Bethune, defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos, and Sam Okuayinonu could return after the bye.

One last player I need to talk about is Brandon Aiyuk. He continues recovering from the ACL and MCL injuries he suffered in October 2024 against the Chiefs. The 49ers have not yet deemed him healthy enough to open his practice window, and with only four regular-season games left, the window to activate him is closing quickly. We have a little bit of a… worrying update on him from the Niners’ general manager John Lynch.

“Realistic, I’m not sure,” Lynch said on KNBR. “Hopeful, yeah. I think that’s where I’d leave that . . . We’re a better football team when Brandon’s out there, but that’s probably what it is, hope right now.”

So will Aiyuk actually walk onto the field in a Niners’ jersey this season? We’ll have to see after the bye passes.

Playoff Picture

I like the Niners playoff chances, with them currently sitting at a 92% chance of a playoff spot. They actually have just as many wins as the Rams and Seahawks, but sit at 3rd in the NFC West because the Rams and Seahawks both have already had their bye. They probably will not still be tied with wins after Week 14, since the Rams are playing the Cardinals in what will probably be an easy win, and the Seahawks are playing the Falcons in what will most likely result in a tied record with the Rams, both of them a 10-3 while the Niners come out of the bye at 9-4. But things could change.

Let’s take a look at the remaining schedule. They have a much needed bye this week, hopefully giving their hurt players time to recover and get back on the field. Then they play the Titans at home, and I’m thinking they will add that win to their record putting them at 10-4. Then comes MNF against the Colts. There are three things that I’m worried about:

One: They are not playing at home, instead facing a potential AFC Championship team where they are not used to playing.

Two: The Colts have a really good offense, and the Niner’s defense might not be up to holding off Jonathan Taylor and his crazy plays.

Three: There’s three scenarios here regarding the Colts records going into the Niners game. One, they beat the Jaguars and lose to the Seahawks (or vise versa) going into the game with a 9-5 five record. Two, they lose to the Jaguars and the Seahawks, putting them at 8-6. Three, they beat both teams and have a 10-4 record. The Niners have a high chance to be 10-4 in that game, and so either the Colts will have a tied record or one that’s lower than San Francisco’s. Therefore, they will probably be playing their hardest to get back ahead in the playoff race.

As you can see, that game could be trouble for the Niners, or the Colts could continue to decline and be a team that the Niners can beat. Let’s move on to Week 17 with the Bears. This could be a preview of a playoff game, because the three most likely to face the Niners in that first post-season game are the Eagles, Bears, and Lions. (Maybe Lions. Possibly not) This game could also possibly determine what seed each team receives in the playoffs.

Now, final game of the regular season is at home against the Seahawks. We have two scenarios here- One, the Seahawks have beaten enough teams to feel comfortable with their playoff spot, and the win wouldn’t change their seed. So in that case, they might play their backups in order to preserve Sam Darnold and Jaxson Smith-Njigba along with the rest of their starters for the playoff games. Two, they have a chance to steal the NFC West title from the Rams, and they go hardcore on the Niners. That could influence the seed the Niners recieve as well.

Coaching: Kyle Shanahan and Robert Saleh Keep the Niners Afloat

I have to hand it to them; they pulled this injury riddled team together well enough to have a 9-4 overall record and a 4-1 division record. I’ve gotta talk about Kyle Shanahan first, because what he’s doing with this offense in 2025 is wild. His play-calling just feels locked in right now and somehow the offense never looks like it’s scrambling even when half the depth chart is injured. What’s really stood out this season is how easily he turns backups and rookies into legit contributors. One week you’re wondering who a young receiver even is, and the next Shanahan is dialing up plays specifically designed to get the ball in his hands. Same thing with the O-line—he’ll plug in a backup and immediately trust him with complex protection shifts like it’s nothing.

Shanahan just has this rare talent for making the game simple for new guys while still keeping the whole scheme unpredictable. The offense stays explosive, but it’s also deep, resilient, and honestly built to survive almost anything the season throws at them. With the way he’s running things, it really doesn’t matter who’s in the huddle—they all look ready.

And on the other side of the ball, Robert Saleh’s return has been exactly what this defense needed. You can feel the energy shift with him back in charge. What’s impressed me the most is how quickly he’s developing the younger players and the depth guys. He’s putting rookies out there in real, high-pressure snaps and trusting them with responsibilities most coaches wouldn’t even think of giving first-year players. And somehow those guys aren’t just surviving—they’re making plays.

Even the rotational pieces, the backup linebackers, the pass-rush depth—they’re playing like established veterans again. Saleh has brought back that defensive identity we all remember: fast, aggressive, and completely locked in. Under him, it feels like everyone on the roster has a real chance to shine, no matter how new or overlooked they were a few months ago.

Browns vs. Niners Breakdown

The 49ers came out of Week 13 with a hard-fought win over the Browns, and honestly, it felt like a statement game for this team. The Browns came in with a solid game plan, but San Francisco’s execution—especially on offense—was just too sharp. Kyle Shanahan’s play-calling was textbook: creative, precise, and tailored to whoever was available on the roster. Even with some backups rotating in, the offense never lost rhythm, which has been a recurring theme this season.

Brock Purdy looked comfortable in the pocket, spreading the ball around and making the Browns’ defense work for every yard. The receiving corps did their part, with the young guys stepping up exactly like Shanahan wanted. There were designed touches and quick reads that made it look effortless, and it’s exactly why the offense keeps humming no matter who’s in the lineup. The running game was balanced, too—both Elijah Mitchell and Christian McCaffrey found holes early and often, keeping the Browns’ front seven on their heels.

On the defensive side, Robert Saleh’s unit kept the pressure consistent. Even with a few rotational guys filling in, the Niners were disruptive in the backfield and didn’t give the Browns’ QB any clean looks. Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw controlled the middle, while Nick Bosa’s presence off the edge demanded extra attention, which opened up lanes for the rest of the rushers. The Browns managed a few big plays, but the defense bent without breaking, forcing key punts and keeping the game under control.

Special teams played their part too—no major mistakes, and field position was handled well. In a game where attention to detail mattered, the 49ers were sharp across the board.

Overall, it was a strong showing from a team that’s been tested all season. The win keeps San Francisco in solid playoff position and shows that even when the roster gets shuffled due to injuries, the team’s system and coaching can still deliver. It’s another example of why this team is dangerous.

To wrap this all up, the Niners are a strong team that could be a playoff threat, due to amazing coaching and some much needed players returning after the bye. Have a great week y’all, and stay Faithful to the Bay.

See you at the next snap,

Tatum