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...
49ers injury analysis: Where the team ranks in the Kyle Shanahan era
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
49ers injury analysis: Where the team ranks in the Kyle Shanahan era
The Niners' famously intense Thursday practices have taken a toll this season, but players also credit them for setting the right tone.
www.nytimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:57 PM
49ers injury analysis: Where the team ranks in the Kyle Shanahan era
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
49ers +/-: Arizona boys Purdy and Pearsall on track to play in Arizona; injury updates for game (and the Cardinals' is way longer than the 49ers'. Huh?)
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/4...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/4...
49ers Healthier Than Their Opponent??
Podcast Episode · 49ers Plus Minus · 11/13/2025 · 14m
podcasts.apple.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:31 AM
49ers +/-: Arizona boys Purdy and Pearsall on track to play in Arizona; injury updates for game (and the Cardinals' is way longer than the 49ers'. Huh?)
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/4...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/4...
Brace yourself: The 49ers have fewer players on their injury report than their opponent, the first time that's happened this season.
November 12, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Brace yourself: The 49ers have fewer players on their injury report than their opponent, the first time that's happened this season.
Report from the start of 49ers practice:
* Brock Purdy looks like he's in line to start on Sunday
* Ricky Pearsall looked sharp, fast
* No Alfred Collins (hip) at the start of practice. He was mostly working out on a side field. Possible he joins the session later.
* Brock Purdy looks like he's in line to start on Sunday
* Ricky Pearsall looked sharp, fast
* No Alfred Collins (hip) at the start of practice. He was mostly working out on a side field. Possible he joins the session later.
November 12, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Report from the start of 49ers practice:
* Brock Purdy looks like he's in line to start on Sunday
* Ricky Pearsall looked sharp, fast
* No Alfred Collins (hip) at the start of practice. He was mostly working out on a side field. Possible he joins the session later.
* Brock Purdy looks like he's in line to start on Sunday
* Ricky Pearsall looked sharp, fast
* No Alfred Collins (hip) at the start of practice. He was mostly working out on a side field. Possible he joins the session later.
Report from the start of 49ers practice:
* Brock Purdy looks like he's in line to start on Sunday
* Ricky Pearsall looked sharp, fast
* No Alfred Collins (hip) at the start of practice. He was mostly working out on a side field. Possible he joins the session later.
* Brock Purdy looks like he's in line to start on Sunday
* Ricky Pearsall looked sharp, fast
* No Alfred Collins (hip) at the start of practice. He was mostly working out on a side field. Possible he joins the session later.
November 12, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Report from the start of 49ers practice:
* Brock Purdy looks like he's in line to start on Sunday
* Ricky Pearsall looked sharp, fast
* No Alfred Collins (hip) at the start of practice. He was mostly working out on a side field. Possible he joins the session later.
* Brock Purdy looks like he's in line to start on Sunday
* Ricky Pearsall looked sharp, fast
* No Alfred Collins (hip) at the start of practice. He was mostly working out on a side field. Possible he joins the session later.
Brock Purdy (toe), Ricky Pearsall (knee) and Alfred Collins (hip) will be limited today. The 49ers still hope that Purdy can start Sunday’s game in Arizona.
November 12, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Brock Purdy (toe), Ricky Pearsall (knee) and Alfred Collins (hip) will be limited today. The 49ers still hope that Purdy can start Sunday’s game in Arizona.
Reposted by Matt Barrows
#49ers minutia minute:
* Pearsall had good weekend
* Purdy still in ramp-up mode
* Puni looking like himself
* Where Keion White lined up
* Shanahan on Nick Martin
* Dime defense was a dud
* Skyy’s best return
* More!
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
* Pearsall had good weekend
* Purdy still in ramp-up mode
* Puni looking like himself
* Where Keion White lined up
* Shanahan on Nick Martin
* Dime defense was a dud
* Skyy’s best return
* More!
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Ricky Pearsall ready to return; more ramp-up for Brock Purdy: 49ers minutia minute
Pearsall is on track to practice this week, but the 49ers will not open the 21-day practice window for Brandon Aiyuk.
www.nytimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:14 AM
#49ers minutia minute:
* Pearsall had good weekend
* Purdy still in ramp-up mode
* Puni looking like himself
* Where Keion White lined up
* Shanahan on Nick Martin
* Dime defense was a dud
* Skyy’s best return
* More!
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
* Pearsall had good weekend
* Purdy still in ramp-up mode
* Puni looking like himself
* Where Keion White lined up
* Shanahan on Nick Martin
* Dime defense was a dud
* Skyy’s best return
* More!
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
#49ers minutia minute:
* Pearsall had good weekend
* Purdy still in ramp-up mode
* Puni looking like himself
* Where Keion White lined up
* Shanahan on Nick Martin
* Dime defense was a dud
* Skyy’s best return
* More!
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
* Pearsall had good weekend
* Purdy still in ramp-up mode
* Puni looking like himself
* Where Keion White lined up
* Shanahan on Nick Martin
* Dime defense was a dud
* Skyy’s best return
* More!
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Ricky Pearsall ready to return; more ramp-up for Brock Purdy: 49ers minutia minute
Pearsall is on track to practice this week, but the 49ers will not open the 21-day practice window for Brandon Aiyuk.
www.nytimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:14 AM
#49ers minutia minute:
* Pearsall had good weekend
* Purdy still in ramp-up mode
* Puni looking like himself
* Where Keion White lined up
* Shanahan on Nick Martin
* Dime defense was a dud
* Skyy’s best return
* More!
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
* Pearsall had good weekend
* Purdy still in ramp-up mode
* Puni looking like himself
* Where Keion White lined up
* Shanahan on Nick Martin
* Dime defense was a dud
* Skyy’s best return
* More!
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Ricky Pearsall ready to return; more ramp-up for Brock Purdy: 49ers minutia minute
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Ricky Pearsall ready to return; more ramp-up for Brock Purdy: 49ers minutia minute
Pearsall is on track to practice this week, but the 49ers will not open the 21-day practice window for Brandon Aiyuk.
www.nytimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Ricky Pearsall ready to return; more ramp-up for Brock Purdy: 49ers minutia minute
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
The 49ers are hoping to get Ricky Pearsall (knee) back for practice this week. It's still wait and see with Brock Purdy (toe).
The 49ers will NOT open Brandon Aiyuk's practice window this week.
The 49ers will NOT open Brandon Aiyuk's practice window this week.
November 10, 2025 at 10:35 PM
The 49ers are hoping to get Ricky Pearsall (knee) back for practice this week. It's still wait and see with Brock Purdy (toe).
The 49ers will NOT open Brandon Aiyuk's practice window this week.
The 49ers will NOT open Brandon Aiyuk's practice window this week.
With seven games to go, it's offense or bust for the 49ers ...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
November 10, 2025 at 7:59 PM
With seven games to go, it's offense or bust for the 49ers ...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
49ers +/-: TK and I break down what happened against the Rams, possible changes vs. the Cardinals and what could be an eventful offseason...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_dd...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_dd...
www.youtube.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:51 PM
49ers +/-: TK and I break down what happened against the Rams, possible changes vs. the Cardinals and what could be an eventful offseason...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_dd...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_dd...
The 49ers’ defense is already out of gas … and there are 7 weeks to go
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
The 49ers’ defense is already out of gas … and there are 7 weeks to go
The 49ers' exhaustion was written all over their body language — from the linebackers to the safeties to the beat up defensive line.
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:04 PM
The 49ers’ defense is already out of gas … and there are 7 weeks to go
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Based on warmups, Jake Brendel will be back at center today for the 49ers and Spencer Burford will remain at left guard.
November 9, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Based on warmups, Jake Brendel will be back at center today for the 49ers and Spencer Burford will remain at left guard.
DT Alfred Collins, SF's hero in Week 5 vs the Rams, hurt his hip THURS and won’t be on hand for rematch
#49ers' Thursday injuries this season:
WR Jordan Watkins (calf)
G Connor Colby (groin)
CB Upton Stout (ankle)
DL Yetur Gross-Matos (hamstring)
DL Keion White (groin)
DT Kalia Davis (ankle)
#49ers' Thursday injuries this season:
WR Jordan Watkins (calf)
G Connor Colby (groin)
CB Upton Stout (ankle)
DL Yetur Gross-Matos (hamstring)
DL Keion White (groin)
DT Kalia Davis (ankle)
November 9, 2025 at 8:15 PM
DT Alfred Collins, SF's hero in Week 5 vs the Rams, hurt his hip THURS and won’t be on hand for rematch
#49ers' Thursday injuries this season:
WR Jordan Watkins (calf)
G Connor Colby (groin)
CB Upton Stout (ankle)
DL Yetur Gross-Matos (hamstring)
DL Keion White (groin)
DT Kalia Davis (ankle)
#49ers' Thursday injuries this season:
WR Jordan Watkins (calf)
G Connor Colby (groin)
CB Upton Stout (ankle)
DL Yetur Gross-Matos (hamstring)
DL Keion White (groin)
DT Kalia Davis (ankle)
O say, can you see … that it’s a beautiful day for football at Levi’s Stadium. Right now it’s 70 degrees with no wind. Might become overcast later today but wind should be light….
November 9, 2025 at 6:46 PM
O say, can you see … that it’s a beautiful day for football at Levi’s Stadium. Right now it’s 70 degrees with no wind. Might become overcast later today but wind should be light….
Early Xmas for 49ers fans -- team will elevate summertime favorite Sebastian Valdez for Sunday's game.
They:
* Elevated DL Clelin Ferrell & Valdez
from the practice squad
* Activated G Ben Bartch from IR
* Placed DE Mykel Williams (ACL) on IR
They:
* Elevated DL Clelin Ferrell & Valdez
from the practice squad
* Activated G Ben Bartch from IR
* Placed DE Mykel Williams (ACL) on IR
November 8, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Early Xmas for 49ers fans -- team will elevate summertime favorite Sebastian Valdez for Sunday's game.
They:
* Elevated DL Clelin Ferrell & Valdez
from the practice squad
* Activated G Ben Bartch from IR
* Placed DE Mykel Williams (ACL) on IR
They:
* Elevated DL Clelin Ferrell & Valdez
from the practice squad
* Activated G Ben Bartch from IR
* Placed DE Mykel Williams (ACL) on IR
No 49ers were fined following Sunday’s game vs. NYG, including LB Tatum Bethune, who was flagged for unnecessary roughness after a hit on scrambling QB Jaxon Dart in the third quarter.
Giants S Dane Belton was fined $7,201 for tripping in the fourth quarter.
Giants S Dane Belton was fined $7,201 for tripping in the fourth quarter.
November 8, 2025 at 9:09 PM
No 49ers were fined following Sunday’s game vs. NYG, including LB Tatum Bethune, who was flagged for unnecessary roughness after a hit on scrambling QB Jaxon Dart in the third quarter.
Giants S Dane Belton was fined $7,201 for tripping in the fourth quarter.
Giants S Dane Belton was fined $7,201 for tripping in the fourth quarter.
Reposted by Matt Barrows
#49ers’ special teams had players-only meeting after Week 4 flop: The message sunk in
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
www.nytimes
November 8, 2025 at 2:11 PM
#49ers’ special teams had players-only meeting after Week 4 flop: The message sunk in
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
#49ers’ special teams had players-only meeting after Week 4 flop: The message sunk in
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
www.nytimes
November 8, 2025 at 2:11 PM
#49ers’ special teams had players-only meeting after Week 4 flop: The message sunk in
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
Mac Jones will get second shot at the Rams; Brock Purdy may dress for game ...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
49ers to start Mac Jones at QB vs. Rams; Brock Purdy may dress
Purdy has started only two games this season, with Jones going 5-2 in his place.
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Mac Jones will get second shot at the Rams; Brock Purdy may dress for game ...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
49ers +/-: The team is keep its eye firmly on 2026, so TK and I shift our focus that way, too ...
youtu.be/deTDpVtxdis?... via
@YouTube
youtu.be/deTDpVtxdis?... via
@YouTube
NFL Week 10: 49ers vs. Rams | 49ers +/-
YouTube video by 49ers Plus Minus Podcast
youtu.be
November 7, 2025 at 4:04 PM
49ers +/-: The team is keep its eye firmly on 2026, so TK and I shift our focus that way, too ...
youtu.be/deTDpVtxdis?... via
@YouTube
youtu.be/deTDpVtxdis?... via
@YouTube
Reposted by Matt Barrows
Why hasn’t Brandon Aiyuk practiced? Why didn’t Brock Purdy go on IR? 49ers mailbag
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
Why hasn’t Brandon Aiyuk practiced? Why didn’t Brock Purdy go on IR? 49ers mailbag
Among this week's questions: What is the team's biggest offseason regret, and how will Kris Kocurek utilize his remaining defensive linemen?
www.nytimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Why hasn’t Brandon Aiyuk practiced? Why didn’t Brock Purdy go on IR? 49ers mailbag
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
Reposted by Matt Barrows
#49ers Mailbag:
* What’s keeping Aiyuk’s window closed
* Who are SF’s FA keepers?
* Why Pearsall, Purdy aren’t on IR
* Why rooking snaps are falling
* Youngster poised to take off?
* Biggest offseason regret
* More!
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
* What’s keeping Aiyuk’s window closed
* Who are SF’s FA keepers?
* Why Pearsall, Purdy aren’t on IR
* Why rooking snaps are falling
* Youngster poised to take off?
* Biggest offseason regret
* More!
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
Why hasn’t Brandon Aiyuk practiced? Why didn’t Brock Purdy go on IR? 49ers mailbag
Among this week's questions: What is the team's biggest offseason regret, and how will Kris Kocurek utilize his remaining defensive linemen?
www.nytimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:05 PM
#49ers Mailbag:
* What’s keeping Aiyuk’s window closed
* Who are SF’s FA keepers?
* Why Pearsall, Purdy aren’t on IR
* Why rooking snaps are falling
* Youngster poised to take off?
* Biggest offseason regret
* More!
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
* What’s keeping Aiyuk’s window closed
* Who are SF’s FA keepers?
* Why Pearsall, Purdy aren’t on IR
* Why rooking snaps are falling
* Youngster poised to take off?
* Biggest offseason regret
* More!
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...