The San Francisco 49ers currently stand at 4-4 and are dealing with multiple injuries, but they’re also facing fundamental issues that need attention.
Special teams, in particular, is an area where mistakes can be costly.
San Francisco has struggled to cover kick and punt returns, and their own kick return game has been lackluster.
Despite these issues, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan is not planning any drastic changes.
When asked if he might consider firing special teams coordinator Brian Schneider, Shanahan firmly dismissed the idea.
“I have no concerns with Brian Schneider, if that’s what you mean by that. I think that’s what you’re implying, and that hasn’t entered my head at all.
No, that hasn’t entered my head at all,” Shanahan stated on October 28.
Shanahan defended Schneider, noting the 49ers’ success in limiting Dallas Cowboys return specialist KaVontae Turpin during their 30-24 victory in Week 8.
He also highlighted that injuries have disrupted the team’s special teams plans.
“I was proud of us last night. I thought we were up against a huge challenge. I thought our guys played real hard and did a real good job controlling KaVontae Turpin, who is one of the bigger game-changers in this game.
I think we’ve dealt with a lot of stuff on special teams. A lot of changing on people, a lot of young guys starting out to play who we’ve lost and having to replace them with new guys and working with a lot of different people,” Shanahan explained.
San Francisco Limits Turpin
Turpin is one of the NFL’s most dangerous returners.
The former TCU wide receiver returned a punt for a touchdown in Week 1 and has a 79-yard kick return to his name.
Against the 49ers, Turpin managed just one punt return, which he took for 13 yards.
He also returned five kickoffs, with his longest at 26 yards—a solid effort considering he leads the NFL with 34.9 yards per kick return.
This could indicate a turning point, but the 49ers’ special teams have struggled throughout the season.
Their performance following the bye week will be crucial to watch.
49ers and Cowboys Clash After Kickoff Return
After a Dallas kickoff return to the 35-yard line following San Francisco’s opening field goal, tensions flared.
49ers linebacker Dee Winters, who made the tackle on Turpin, was tangled up as he got up.
Cowboys safety Juanyeh Thomas responded by shoving Winters, sparking a scuffle between the teams.
Ultimately, the confrontation led to offsetting unsportsmanlike conduct penalties for Winters and Thomas.
Though it was early in the game, this was the only significant altercation of the night.
