Is everything good in the Niners empire? Doesn’t look like that. It’s all about results. Last year, by week 11, they had won 7 games and lost 3. This year, it has been a downward story. They have a 5-5 win-loss record and are sitting in 4th position in the NFC West division. This has prompted Kyle Shanahan to have some strong opinions about his quarterback Brock Purdy and the rest of the team.

While talking to reporters on November 20, the 49ers HC praised his QB while criticizing other players, and said, “It’s hard to make a lot of progress after the way he played last year. It’s hard to make a lot of progress after the way he played in the 7 games in his first year, so I think Brock’s playing at the same exact level. I think there is different circumstances around them. You know, our team hasn’t been quite as good throughout this. That’s why we made it a lot harder for ourselves here at his back half.” That’s a big statement.

Things have become hard for them after a 17-20 loss to the Seahawks in week 11. The O-line has slipped to the 16th place in the NFL O-line rankings for week 12. Do they still have a chance? Statistically, they do. But the task is enormous. They play 5 winning teams in their next 7 matches. That’s why Kyle Shanahan was upset during the presser.

Everything relies on Brock Purdy’s shoulders. Though the HC claimed that he has been doing fine, his performance also seems to have dipped with a faulty O-line. In 10 games this year, he has 202 of 306 passes (66% completion rate) in 2,613 passing yards with 13 touchdowns and 8 yards. Last year, he ended the season with 31 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Can he score 18 touchdowns in 7 games? Unless the HC makes some changes, it might not happen.

Injuries have also derailed their hopes of a good season. Here’s an update about it ahead of their week 12 matchup against the Green Bay Packers.

49ers injuries add to Kyle Shanahan’s worries

The news on the injury front hasn’t been great for the Niners as well. Many of their star players didn’t practice or had limited practice on November 20. They released the injury status after Kyle Shanahan bashed his locker room. It’s not good.

RB Christian McCaffrey showed signs of recovery before week 11 but didn’t practice on Wednesday. Other players who didn’t practice were LB Tatum Bethune, who is out because of a knee injury, DE Nick Bosa, struggling with hip and oblique injuries, and LT Trent Williams whose ankle is injured. Apart from these, few players did limited practice.

Among those was the 49ers star TE George Kittle, who claimed he would play against the Packers. Purdy also suffered a hamstring injury in week 11 but is hopeful for the week 12 game. They need to find their way back in soon. Else things may slip out of hand quickly.