After the San Francisco 49ers’ 12-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 15, head coach Kyle Shanahan and several players addressed reporters. Here’s a summary of the key points from their remarks.
Injuries mentioned included linebacker Dee Winters, who suffered a neck injury and did not return, safety Ji’Ayir Brown with a groin issue, and linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who experienced some fatigue and soreness in his Achilles and knees, resulting in him not returning to the game.
Discussing the team’s offensive performance, Shanahan expressed disappointment, noting they had solid play from defense and special teams, but the offense fell short. He highlighted that the inability to establish a run game was a significant factor, and pointed out missed opportunities in the passing game that could have potentially led to scoring.
When asked if the struggles were due to execution on the 49ers’ part or strong defense from the Rams, Shanahan acknowledged the Rams’ performance while recognizing his team’s failures as well. He discussed key missed plays, including a drop by receiver Deebo Samuel on a critical third down and a miscommunication on another potential scoring pass.
Shanahan was asked about Greenlaw’s leg condition and whether he was worried about a possible Achilles tear; he assured that Greenlaw was fine. He shared that linebacker De’Vondre Campbell chose not to play during the game, which surprised him.
On the interception thrown by quarterback Brock Purdy, Shanahan explained the misalignment during the route led to a defensive advantage. He suggested that weather conditions impacted both quarterbacks but emphasized it wasn’t the sole reason for their struggles.
Purdy also reflected on his play, including regret over the interception, and acknowledged missed opportunities throughout the game. He expressed determination to improve and emphasized that the team must continue to fight to finish the season strong.
Samuel’s early touches were attributed to game strategy, but both Shanahan and Purdy acknowledged that they wished for more effective connections with him, given his potential as a playmaker.
Defensive lineman Nick Bosa spoke about the energy Greenlaw brought to the defense, expressing admiration for him as a teammate. Bosa shared his thoughts on the team’s slim playoff chances and reiterated the need to focus on executing and winning games.
Overall, the team is looking to regroup, boost morale, and learn from this loss as they move forward.
