49ers shake up depth with Beal promotion and Bradley‑King, Mahoney additions on the practice squad, plus Canteen’s release as San Francisco navigates Nick Bosa’s ACL injury. The club also kicked the tires on edge rushers Titus Leo and Isaiah Thomas while veteran Yetur Gross‑Matos looks to carry a bigger load behind a committee approach.»

Beal steps up on defense and special teams as Maks Okuayinonu shifts to defense, and Bradley‑King brings a developmental pass‑rush option with preseason tape. The transaction window signals a broader, flexible strategy as SF leans on internal development and situational depth to weather the injury cloud.

Nick Bosa’s ACL injury tests the 49ers’ depth as rookies Mykel Williams, Alfred Collins, and CJ West join veterans Sam Okuayinonu and Yetur Gross-Matos in elevating the edge pressure. Kyler Murray and the Cardinals nearly drained the clock, with Upton Stout making a late impact. Trade chatter surrounds Trey Hendrickson as SF contemplates a path to continued pressure in 2025 and beyond. Trent Williams stabilizes the line, while Colby and Puni face a tough week-to-week grind. Kyle Shanahan’s injury updates frame a cautious, aggressive path forward that leans on youth developing under pressure.

Rookie development dominates SF’s narrative as the defense leans on a next-man-up approach. In pass protection, Luke Farrell shines while Colby’s five pressures highlight the volatility of new starters. The Hendrickson discourse—conditional picks and playoff incentives—embodies SF’s win-now tilt even with Bosa sidelined. Shanahan’s updates stress progression and scheme adaptability as the 49ers navigate a challenging early schedule.

Overall, SF’s strategy blends youth acceleration with veteran floor, aiming to keep pressure on the quarterback while the roster recalibrates around Bosa’s absence. The coming weeks will reveal which youngsters carry fantasy value and which veteran protections hold the line as SF seeks consistency without its star edge.

Nick Bosa's ACL tear creates a massive void for the 49ers, forcing a by-committee pass rush and new schematics. Kyle Shanahan stresses that no one can truly replace a star like Bosa, so the defense must elevate everyone and accelerate development across the board.

Rookies and veterans—Mykel Williams, Bryce Huff, Yetur Gross-Matos, and Sam Okuayinonu—will share load, with perhaps more blitzing from Robert Saleh's approach and more emphasis on linebackers and the secondary in coverage and pressure. Fantasy angles point to uncertainty up front but growing defensive versatility.

Expect shifting snap shares and evolving game plans as San Francisco navigates the season without a single anchor on the edge, making early-season production a moving target for fantasy managers and bettors alike.