NFL Player News

Lake recorded 10 tackles (seven solo) and three defensed passes, including an interception, in the Rams' Week 1 loss to the 49ers.

Though Los Angeles was unexpectedly routed in both teams' season opener, Lake made a strong impression, leading the Rams in stops and defensed passes. Among the latter was a second-quarter interception of Brock Purdy that halted a San Francisco drive in Los Angeles territory. Lake missed the Rams' final seven regular-season games last year due to an elbow injury, but he returned to play every one of the team's defensive snaps in the postseason and appears fully healthy to begin 2026.

Stafford completed 15 of 25 passes for 155 yards with no touchdowns and one interception while rushing twice for minus-1 yard during the Rams' 27-7 Week 1 loss to the 49ers in Melbourne, Australia.

The reigning NFL MVP looked anything but during a shockingly poor performance by his side of the ball, and Stafford finished with his lowest passing yardage total since Week 11 of last season. The veteran signal-caller tossed his one interception shortly before the halfway point of the second quarter on a pass intended for Puka Nacua just inside the 49ers' 15-yard line, a play that was costly both from the standpoint of the potential scoring opportunity it short-circuited and the fact it led to a San Francisco touchdown. Stafford's first chance to atone comes in a Week 2 home matchup against what is expected to be a fearsome Giants pass rush on Monday night, Sept. 21.

Warner finished the 49ers' 27-7 Week 1 win against the Rams with 11 tackles (five solo) and a defensed pass.

Warner logged his first game action since Week 6 of last season, which is when he suffered a campaign-ending dislocated right ankle. The veteran linebacker looked like his old self against Los Angeles in his return to the field while frequently making big plays -- including a forced fumble when he punched the ball out of tight end Tyler Higbee's grasp early in the fourth quarter -- and leading San Francisco with 11 stops. Warner has long been considered one of the league's top linebackers, and it appears last season's injury isn't going to prevent him from retaining that status in his ninth NFL campaign.

Mevis made his lone extra-point try and didn't attempt any field goals in the Rams' Week 1 loss to San Francisco.

The Rams offense was held in check by a spirited San Francisco defense, and Mevis' only opportunity to kick came following Los Angeles' lone touchdown early in the second quarter. Mevis also didn't see a ton of FG tries during his rookie campaign last year, but that was largely because Los Angeles was so adept at getting into the end zone -- he went 12-for-13 on field-goal attempts and 39-for-39 on PAT tries across nine regular-season games. The Rams offense figures to be much more productive most weeks, so Mevis should see more frequent scoring opportunities moving forward.

Evans secured six of seven targets for 49 yards and a touchdown during the 49ers' 27-7 Week 1 win over the Rams in Melbourne, Australia.

Evans shrugged off recent nagging injuries to hit the ground running in his 49ers regular-season debut, recording three catches for 22 yards on the opening possession alone. He would go on to double up that reception tally by game's end, tying for the team lead in that category with Deebo Samuel while also drawing even with his teammate for second in targets. Evans also was on the receiving end of the second of Brock Purdy's three touchdown passes, muscling his way to a contested two-yard grab in the left corner of the end zone in the third quarter. If early returns are any indication, the Purdy-Evans connection could be a prolific one throughout the season, and a Week 2 home matchup against the Dolphins on Sunday, Sept. 20 presents as a particularly promising matchup.

Pineiro converted two of his three field-goal attempts and all three of his extra-point tries in the 49ers' season-opening 27-7 win against the Rams.

Pineiro opened the scoring with a chip-shot 20-yard FG in the first quarter. His second field goal was much more difficult, as he nailed a 56-yarder early in the fourth. Pineiro had one more FG try, but he hit the right upright on a 52-yard attempt late in the fourth quarter with the game essentially in the bag for San Francisco. All in all, it was a successful season opener for the veteran kicker, whose six field goals from 50-plus yards out last season marked a career high. San Francisco's offense looked to be in good form against a tough Rams defense Thursday, so Pineiro could be in for plenty of opportunities in 2026.

Purdy completed 25 of 34 passes for 205 yards with three touchdowns and one interception while adding five rushes for 29 yards during the 49ers' 27-7 Week 1 win over the Rams in Melbourne, Australia.

After an offseason in which the Rams' fearsome pass rush garnered plenty of headlines, Purdy navigated the season-opening matchup against his talented NFC West rival in nearly flawless fashion. The fifth-year signal-caller got off to a fast start with new No. 1 receiver Mike Evans, connecting with him on three occasions for 22 yards during a 15-play opening drive that culminated in a field goal. Purdy went on to hit Evans for a contested two-yard scoring strike early in the third quarter, and he sandwiched impressive touchdown tosses to Demarcus Robinson and Deebo Samuel of 39 and 15 yards, respectively, around that play. Purdy's early second-quarter interception on a pass intended for George Kittle did lead to the Rams' only touchdown, but as the final numbers indicate, the veteran quarterback did more than enough to atone. Purdy should have a strong chance of carrying over the season-opening momentum into Week 2, as a home date with what's expected to be a vulnerable Dolphins defense awaits on Sunday, Sept. 20.

Garrett said after Thursday night's loss to the 49ers that his knee is not 100 percent healthy, Greg Beacham of the Associated Press reports.

Garrett posted no stats in the box score in his Rams debut Thursday, and it was the first time since the 2018 season that he didn't even record a single quarterback pressure in a game. "This was the worst version of myself that I've put out there, and I've got to be better," Garrett said. The star edge rusher missed most of training camp and the entire preseason tending to a knee injury. He'll have 10 days to get ready for Week 2 against the Giants.

Coach Kyle Shanahan said after Thursday night's win over the Rams that Tonges' knee injury "does not look good," Vic Tafur of The Athletic reports.

Tonges hobbled off with the assistance of trainers in the second quarter against Los Angeles and was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the contest. He now appears to be looking at an extended absence. Luke Farrell soaked up the TE2 snaps behind George Kittle following Tonges' departure.

Williams rushed 11 times for 41 yards and a touchdown and brought in all three targets for 24 yards during the Rams' 27-7 Week 1 loss to the 49ers in Melbourne, Australia.

Williams worked in what was just one carry short of an even timeshare with Blake Corum in terms of rushing work, outpacing the latter by that one rush attempt and gaining 13 fewer yards in the process. However, Williams was the only one of the two to have a pass-game role, and he was the sole Rams player to cross the goal line in an alarmingly poor performance by the offense via a five-yard power run on the first play of the second quarter. It remains to be seen if the Week 1 division of labor will have staying power, with the next opportunity to see how matters play out coming in a Week 2 home matchup against the Giants on Monday night, Sept. 21.