George Kittle
New York Jets' tight end Jeremy Ruckert (89) warms up with a medicine ball before the NFL football team's training camp, Friday, May 6, 2022, in Florham Park, N.J. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
After rooting for Jets as kid, Ruckert now playing for them

By Dennis Waszak Jr. May. 07, 2022 02:43 PM EDT

FILE - San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle carries the ball against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game Dec. 5, 2021, in Seattle. No position in the NFL has undergone more changes to the style of player over the years than tight end. Long gone are the days of the blocking specialists who serve mainly as an extra offensive lineman. While guys like Rob Gronkowski, Travis Kelce and Kittle are excellent run-blockers, they are also outstanding receivers and major weapons on offense. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)
Tight end position has undergone quite an evolution in NFL

By Rob Maaddi Apr. 25, 2022 06:16 PM EDT

FILE - San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch looks on before an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Santa Clara, Calif., Nov. 28, 2021. The 49ers have helped dictate the first round of the draft in five years under Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan with top 10 picks four times and multiple first-rounders twice. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn, File)
49ers GM Lynch 'can't ever imagine' trading Deebo Samuel

By Josh Dubow Apr. 25, 2022 05:46 PM EDT

FILE - Cleveland Browns tight end Austin Hooper (81) tries to break a tackle by Detroit Lions safety Will Harris (25) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Cleveland. Cleveland plans to release tight end Austin Hooper, said a person who spoke on condition of anonymity because teams can’t make free agency signings or other moves until the new NFL league year begins at 4 p.m.(AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)
Hooper calls chance with Titans a no-brainer for tight end

By Teresa M. Walker Mar. 21, 2022 02:16 PM EDT

San Francisco 49ers' George Kittle (85) catches a touchdown pass during the second half of the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
49ers season falls short of Super Bowl after blown late lead

By Josh Dubow Jan. 31, 2022 06:39 PM EST

Los Angeles Rams' Cooper Kupp (10) gets past San Francisco 49ers' Jaquiski Tartt, left, and K'Waun Williams (24) during the second half of the NFC Championship NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Rams rally to Super Bowl with stunning 20-17 win over Niners

By Greg Beacham Jan. 30, 2022 09:46 PM EST

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay gestures toward fans after the Rams defeated the Arizona Cardinals in an NFL wild-card playoff football game in Inglewood, Calif., Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
49ers-Rams rivalry leads to NFC title game matchup

By Josh Dubow Jan. 29, 2022 11:41 AM EST

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) throws a pass as offensive tackle Trent Williams (71) helps against pressure from Dallas Cowboys defensive end Dorance Armstrong (92) in the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
49ers All-Pro LT Trent Williams questionable for title game

By Josh Dubow Jan. 28, 2022 06:25 PM EST

San Francisco 49ers' Deebo Samuel runs during the second half of an NFC divisional playoff NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
NFC Matchup: Old West rivals meet for Super Bowl berth

By Barry Wilner Jan. 27, 2022 02:22 PM EST

San Francisco 49ers' Jimmy Garoppolo celebrates after an NFC divisional playoff NFL football game Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. The 49ers won 13-10 to advance to the NFC Chasmpionship game. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
49ers deal with the playoff highs and lows of Garoppolo

By Josh Dubow Jan. 26, 2022 06:31 PM EST

San Francisco 49ers' Robbie Gould celebrates after making the game-winning field goal during the second half of an NFC divisional playoff NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. The 49ers won 13-10 to advance to the NFC Chasmpionship game. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Gould's FG on final play gives 49ers 13-10 upset of Packers

By Steve Megargee Jan. 22, 2022 11:21 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) firest a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first half of an NFL wild-card football game Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Brady, Buccaneers take another crack at Rams in playoffs

By Fred Goodall Jan. 21, 2022 03:18 PM EST

San Francisco 49ers middle linebacker Fred Warner, left, celebrates with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) after the 49ers defeated the Dallas Cowboys in an NFL wild-card playoff football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
49ers survive once again to advance in playoffs to Green Bay

By Josh Dubow Jan. 17, 2022 06:00 PM EST

Graphic looks at NFL divisional round of the playoffs and predicts the winners; 3c x 3 1/2 inches
Hot rivalries spice NFL's wild-card weekend

By Barry Wilner Jan. 14, 2022 01:09 PM EST

49ers star left tackle Trent Williams returns to practice

By Josh Dubow Jan. 13, 2022 09:43 PM EST
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The San Francisco 49ers are expected to get a big boost for their playoff opener with the return of injured star left tackle Trent...

Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers pitches to Aaron Jones during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Packers hoping homefield is to their advantage this year

By Arnie Stapleton Jan. 13, 2022 06:49 PM EST

El quarterback de los Steelers de Pittsburgh Ben Roethlisberger celebra un pase de touchdown al wide receiver Chase Claypool en la segunda mitad del partido ante los Ravens de Baltimore, el domingo 9 de enero de 2022, en Baltimore. (AP Foto/Evan Vucci)
Analysis: Raiders' wild win gives NFL playoffs strong start

By Rob Maaddi Jan. 10, 2022 03:05 AM EST

San Francisco 49ers kicker Robbie Gould (9) celebrates with fullback Kyle Juszczyk (44) after making a field goal in overtime of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey (5) and defensive back David Long (22) react. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
49ers clinch playoff berth by holding off Rams 27-24 in OT

By Greg Beacham Jan. 09, 2022 07:54 PM EST

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) looks to throw during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams 1/9/2022

Jan. 09, 2022 05:09 PM EST

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp runs with the ball after making a catch against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Baltimore. On the play, Kupp broke the Rams' franchise single season record for most receiving yards after surpassing Isaac Bruce's 1,781 yards set in 1995. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Playoff berth at stake for 49ers, NFC West on line for Rams

By The Associated Press Jan. 06, 2022 10:10 AM EST