Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak has drawn interest from the Cardinals, Falcons, Ravens, Raiders and Dolphins for their head coaching openings. He also interviewed with the Giants before they hired John Harbaugh.
Kubiak’s brother, Klay, now has his first request.
The Steelers have requested an interview with the 49ers offensive coordinator, Dianna Russini of TheAthletic.com reports.
Kubiak is in his fifth season with the 49ers, his first as the team’s offensive coordinator. Although Kubiak doesn’t call the plays under head coach Kyle Shanahan, he is heavily involved in the game planning.
The 49ers were seventh in total yards and 10th in scoring this season.
Klint and Klay are the sons of former Broncos and Texans head coach Gary Kubiak. Gary Kubiak won Super Bowl 50 with Denver.
The 49ers could lose defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, who is a popular head coaching candidate. He has interviewed or will interview with the Dolphins, Ravens, Titans, Cardinals and Falcons.
The Steelers also have requested Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, Rams passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula and Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold created angst among the team’s fans when he showed up on the practice report with an oblique injury that has him questionable for Saturday.
Darnold, though, assured everyone that there is “nothing to see here.”
He expects to play against the 49ers.
When asked what the percentage was that he wouldn’t play, Darnold answered, “Very low percentage. Probably closer to zero.”
He said he “felt a little something” while warming up Thursday and shut it down for the day.
“Just in routes on air, just kind of felt a little something in my oblique, just didn’t want to push it,” Darnold said, via Curtis Crabtree of Fox 13 Seattle. “So just came inside, got some rehab. And, you know, feel like I’ll be ready to go for Saturday.”
Backup Drew Lock received the first-team reps in practice on Thursday. Rookie Jalen Milroe is the third-string quarterback.
It’s not much of a surprise, but the 49ers will not have linebacker Fred Warner for Saturday’s divisional round matchup with the Seahawks.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters in his Thursday press conference that Warner (ankle) will not be activated for the contest.
While San Francisco opened Warner’s 21-day practice window to return from injured reserve earlier this week, he has been a limited participant in practice.
Shanahan noted that Warner “looked good” in what he was able to do during practice. If the 49ers beat the Seahawks to advance to the NFC Championship Game, Shanahan is confident Warner will be able to play in that game.
Otherwise, on the injury front, safety Ji’Ayir Brown (hamstring) is also out.
Receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee), linebacker Dee Winters (ankle), linebacker Luke Gifford (quad), and receiver Jacob Cowing (hamstring) are questionable.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold was a surprise addition to the injury report for Saturday night’s divisional round playoff game against the 49ers.
Darnold has an oblique injury and has been listed as questionable.
It’s not clear when or how Darnold injured his oblique, as today was the first time such an injury was mentioned. Darnold was seen jogging on the practice field today and did not appear to be having any trouble moving.
Seahawks backup quarterback Drew Lock got some reps with the first-string offense in practice today and would start if Darnold can’t go. Rookie Jalen Milroe is the third-string quarterback and would back Lock up if Darnold can’t play.
At this point there’s no indication that Darnold’s injury is so serious he can’t play through it, but an injury to the starting quarterback popping up just before the playoffs is not what the Seahawks or any team would want.
If the 49ers beat the Seahawks on Saturday, quarterback Brock Purdy will have the sixth postseason win of his four-year NFL career. And that will put him in some rare company.
Purdy would tie Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes, both of whom had six playoff wins through their first four NFL seasons, for the second-most playoff wins in a quarterback’s first four seasons in NFL history.
The only quarterback with more is Russell Wilson, who had seven playoff wins in his first four NFL seasons. If the 49ers beat the Seahawks, Purdy could tie Wilson’s record in the NFC Championship Game, and establish a new record with eight playoff wins at the end of his fourth NFL season at Super Bowl LX.
When the 49ers drafted Purdy with the last pick in the 2022 NFL draft, he was just competing to be the third string quarterback behind Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo. By the end of his rookie season, Purdy was starting three playoff games, winning two of them. And by the end of his fourth season, he may have won more playoff games through Year 4 than any other quarterback in NFL history.
