The 49ers are in the thick of the playoff hunt and Mac Jones' stock is up after a strong showing in relief of an injured Brock Purdy.

The Panthers cannot beat the 49ers. Don’t misconstrue that: The Panthers can win on Monday. They have won six times already this season. But they cannot go toe-to-toe with the 49ers, both teams playing their best, and win. And that makes this game the ultimate litmus test for the Niners.

The San Francisco 49ers will take on the Carolina Panthers on Monday, but they'll be without two players and could have two more miss the game.

Kyle Shanahan shared why San Francisco passed on Christian McCaffrey in the 2017 draft during an interview on NBC Sports Bay Area's "49ers Game Plan."

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Dyami Brown could be a 2026 free-agent target for San Francisco despite his lackluster 2025 campaign. Brown has only caught 19 passes for 219 yards and one touchdown in nine games after signing a one-year deal worth $10 million with Jacksonville in March.

Jason Pinnock was benched after Week 5, but he has played 80 snaps in the 49ers' dime look since then. However, he has not been good in that role. Pinnock allowed five catches, including a touchdown, in his expanded role against the Arizona Cardinals. That should signal a time to switch things up, as he was one of the few issues in that game.

The San Francisco 49ers have signed kicker Matt Gay to their practice squad to replace Eddy Pineiro, and life's been hectic for Gay recently.

The 49ers re-signed QB Adrian Martinez and released RB Sincere McCormick to make room, shifting roster depth as injuries and needs changes.