As San Francisco took over possession and simply kneeled out the clock to secure a crucial NFC West win and become one of two teams to improve to 5-0 on the season, fans across social media erupted. However, Kupp shut down the buzz with a blunt comment.

“I knew it was close, but clearly it was short,” Kupp admitted after the 32-29 loss at home, per Seahawks.com. “There’s not enough there, I’ve got to find a way to get that fourth down.”

Coach Macdonald accepts referee’s call

Kupp wasn’t the only member of the Seahawks to speak out about the controversial decision, as head coach Mike Macdonald didn’t mince words and also agreed with the referee’s call.

As tough a pill as it is to swallow, the Seahawks are choosing to move on. It’s a long season, and they aren’t dwelling on the disheartening, last-minute defeat filled with controversy against their despised divisional foes, the Niners.

“[The match officials] said he was short, so we’ve got to live with it,” Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald stated, via the team’s official website.

Seattle and San Francisco will meet again

This won’t be their last meeting, as the Seahawks and Niners will play again on Nov. 29 at Levi’s Stadium. Judging by the way both franchises are playing, they may be in for a third duel in the postseason, as well.

Key takeaways

• The Seattle Seahawks lost 32-29 to the San Francisco 49ers after a short ruling.
• Cooper Kupp admitted he was clearly short of gaining the fourth-down line.
• The Seahawks and 49ers will play again on Nov. 29 at Levi’s Stadium.

Following the victories of the Minnesota Vikings over the New Orleans Saints and the San Francisco 49ers over the Seattle Seahawks, they stand as the only franchises that remain undefeated with a 5-0 record. However, they are not the only unbeaten squad in the league.

The Kansas City Chiefs also remain undefeated, but fans must wait until Week 6 to see if they will reach 5-0. This week, the Chiefs were on a bye week, meaning a week of rest. In Week 6, they will play against the Los Angeles Chargers.

On the verge of something rarely seen before

The last time three NFL franchises started undefeated with a 5-0 record was in the 2015 season. On that occasion, the three teams that managed to reach Week 6 without a loss were the Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, and Cincinnati Bengals.

Key victories for the Vikings and 49ers

The Vikings secured a victory against the Saints with a 23-13 score, where their defense stood out as the stellar unit of the week—a unit that has been providing hope for a Super Bowl-level run since the start of the season. Entering Sunday, Saints quarterback Tyler Shough ranked fourth in the NFL in passing yards with 1,203 yards through the air in his first four games this season.

Some believed that containing Shough this weekend seemed like it was going to be a tall task for the Vikings, but Flores and the defense did what they do best in the game and made the New Orleans quarterback lose his mind.

On the 49ers‘ side, they secured a hard-fought 32-29 victory against a tough Seattle Seahawks team, where Brock Purdy once again demonstrated why he is emerging as one of the MVPs of the season.

Key takeaways

• The Minnesota Vikings and San Francisco 49ers stand as the only 5-0 teams.
• The Kansas City Chiefs remained undefeated following a Week 5 bye.
• The 2015 season was the last time three NFL teams started 5-0.

Purdy is yet to receive a sack this season and that has obviously helped his case, but his prowess alone is also absolutely a reason for the 49ers being one of three unbeaten teams ahead of Week 5.

Now, both Purdy and Allen have a +300 line to become the 2026 NFL Most Valuable Player. Allen is, once again, playing hero ball to get the Bills wins, but Purdy might be playing the best football in his career.

Purdy’s stats throughout the first four weeks of the 2026 NFL season

Purdy has the best passer rating in the NFL with an otherworldly 126.3. Throughout this stretch, Purdy has passed for at least two or more touchdowns in all four of his games.

Purdy is currently riding a three-game streak with no turnovers as well. Pure and elite football level in all facets of the game. Josh Allen has to do so for his team to win, Purdy is just enjoying himself on the field and winning while he’s at it.

Purdy is defying the AFC QBs for MVP

Purdy is the only NFC quarterback in the top 6 favored to win MVP. That speaks volumes of what he is doing for the 49ers. After all, the AFC is known for their elite QBs. This is the top 6:

• Brock Purdy +300
• ⁠Josh Allen +300
• ⁠Patrick Mahomes +600
• ⁠Lamar Jackson +800
• ⁠Trevor Lawrence +1000
• ⁠Joe Burrow +1400

Key takeaways

• Brock Purdy holds +300 MVP odds, tying Josh Allen as co-favorite entering Week 5.
• Purdy leads the league with a 126.3 passer rating and zero sacks taken.
• Brock Purdy stands as the only NFC quarterback among the top six MVP betting candidates.

According to Matt Barrows of The Athletic, Mike Evans is off the injury report and will play vs Seahawks. Mike Evans’ career as a 49er has started great. He has 17 catches in 24 targets for 213 yards and two touchdowns.

Having Mike Evans on the field is absolutely key for the 49ers as the Seahawks are one of the best defenses in the NFL. Hence, it’s important to have a weapon like Evans to have a chance at winning against them.

Evans is bulletproof

Mike Evans is a veteran, but the 33-year-old is just a tough player. He has played in too many games with injuries. In fact, Evans’ list of injuries is really lengthy, yet he has missed more than four games in a season just once in his career.

Even if he plays all banged up, Evans is always a threat, and also a red zone menace. He stands at 6’5″ and 231 lbs, so he is a mismatch. Also, he has a trademark fade route that is a recipe for touchdowns.

The Seahawks are a threat to the 49ers’ unbeaten record

Only three teams remain undefeated this season: the Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, and the Minnesota Vikings. The Seahawks are 3-1 and are at home, and the defense is as elite as you can find in the NFL.

Hence, the Seahawks are absolutely and positively the biggest threat to the 49ers perfect record. Also, Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald has a 4-1 record against Kyle Shanahan.

The Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, and Minnesota Vikings are the ones who maintained their undefeated status this week, though other teams had the opportunity to join them.

The Buffalo Bills were also candidates to stay undefeated, but they lost to the New England Patriots in a tight matchup that knocked them off their perch. The situation for the Las Vegas Raiders was different, as they faced the Chiefs in a head-to-head battle for unbeaten status.

How the undefeated earned their victories

Starting with the Kansas City Chiefs, they earned a big 30-27 win over the Raiders that was decided by execution and timely offensive plays, featuring a strong performance from Kenneth Walker.

Then come the 49ers, who defeated the Denver Broncos 24-14, looking very strong on offensive plays that defined the contest before holding up well defensively in the second half.

Finally, the Minnesota Vikings beat the Miami Dolphins 15-10 in a hard-fought game that can be viewed two ways: elite defensive play or struggling offenses on both sides. Either way, the victory is what counts, and nothing is better than staying undefeated.

The other side of the coin: The 0-4 NFL teams in 2026

On the flip side are the teams sitting at 0-4. The Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans (who lost to the Baltimore Ravens), Houston Texans (who lost to the Dallas Cowboys), and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (who lost to the Green Bay Packers) all remain winless this season.

Key takeaways

• Three NFL teams remained undefeated at 4-0 through Week 4.
• A 30-27 victory was earned by Kansas City over the Raiders.
• Four franchises remain winless at 0-4 on the season.

“WR Mike Evans (ribs) officially active,” Mike Garafolo reported on X ahead of San Francisco’s home game against Denver in Week 4 of the NFL campaign.

Evans was dealing with a rib injury sustained last week during San Francisco’s win over the Arizona Cardinals. Evans exited the game on a cart, sending fear through Niners fans. Fortunately, Evans’ injury update after his exit against the Cardinals avoided a worst-case scenario, but he may be a little bit rusty in Week 4 of the 2026 NFL season against the Broncos. Time will tell.

Evans keeps his promise

According to Rapoport, Evans admitted “he’ll do his best to be out there,” at Levi’s Stadium in Week 4 against Denver. That’s encouraging for fans and exactly the kind of message Shanahan and the rest of the team wanted to hear from their veteran wideout. However, there’s also a fine line between being brave and resilient and rushing one’s way back onto the gridiron.

Indeed, Evans has had trouble staying healthy in San Francisco, but it’s also only Week 4. There is a long year ahead, and the Niners would rather miss Evans early on than have him risk an even worse setback. Plus, the offense has been firing on all cylinders as of late, riding on the shoulders of Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, and George Kittle.

The Broncos have one of the best defenses in the NFL, so having Evans available would help, but if he isn’t fully healthy, there might be more to lose than to gain for the 49ers. In the end, Evans is active against Denver, so it seems the medical staff have seen enough out of him to give the green light.

Evans’ stats in 2026

So far this season, Evans has appeared in three games but only completed two of them. Operating in a new offense and surroundings, Evans has already proven his reliability to Purdy, catching 12 of 16 targets for 137 yards and two touchdowns.

Key takeaways

• Officially active for Week 4 despite a rib injury.
• Ian Rapoport reported a pregame workout tested Evans’ pain tolerance.
• Has caught 12 of 16 targets for 137 yards and two touchdowns.

The case stemmed from an undercover operation in East Palestine, Ohio. York was initially facing a misdemeanor charge that was later amended to disorderly conduct. He also pleaded no contest to possessing criminal tools related to his use of a cellphone during the encounter.

The NFL had been reviewing the case since York’s arrest, with commissioner Roger Goodell previously confirming that the league was examining whether the 49ers owner had violated its conduct policy. That review has now resulted in a significant suspension and financial penalty.

Why did the NFL suspend Jed York?

The NFL’s decision is tied to Jed York’s conduct that led to his Ohio arrest and subsequent no-contest pleas. It’s important to remember that the league’s Personal Conduct Policy applies beyond criminal convictions and establishes standards for everyone associated with the NFL.

Adam Schefter reported the league’s decision, writing: “Just in: San Francisco 49ers principal owner Jed York has been suspended for six regular-season games and fined $500,000 for violating the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy.”

The punishment is particularly notable because the NFL’s conduct policy states that ownership and club or league management have traditionally been held to a higher standard and can face more significant discipline when violations occur. York had already been away from some team and league activities while the NFL reviewed the matter, including missing the 49ers’ home opener.

York became the 49ers’ principal owner in 2024 after previously serving as the team’s CEO. His six-game suspension means the franchise will begin the season without its principal owner participating in team activities during those games, while the $500,000 fine represents an additional consequence from the league’s disciplinary decision. This was York’s official statement.

“Today, the NFL concluded its review, and I accept its decision in full. To my family, to the players, coaches, and employees of the San Francisco 49ers, to our fans and partners, I am deeply sorry. This was an inexcusable mistake and I take full responsibility. What I did does not reflect my values or the man I strive to be for my family. While I fell short of the model I want to set for my sons, I now hope to show them the importance of owning up to one’s failures, and that even our worst moments teach us to be better. Leading the 49ers is a privilege, and one I don’t take lightly. Your trust will have to be earned back over time, and I look forward to that work ahead.”

Key takeaways

• Jed York has been suspended for six regular-season games and fined $500,000 for violating the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy.
• The discipline follows his August arrest in Ohio and subsequent no-contest pleas to misdemeanor disorderly conduct and possessing criminal tools.
• The NFL’s policy holds team ownership to a higher standard, which contributed to the significant disciplinary consequences in York’s case.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Evans is dealing with a rib injury and will be evaluated again tomorrow. For now, the 49ers must deal with the fact that he will probably be sidelined for weeks depending on the severity of the heat.

Before exiting the game against the Cardinals, Evans had three catches in six targets for 34 yards and a touchdown. Evans is a focal point of the offense. Without him, the 49ers must adapt heavily.

That is not the only injury suffered by the 49ers during game vs Cardinals

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, left tackle Trent Williams, who left the game carted out, is dealing with a stinger. That complicates things for the 49ers during this game as Williams is a soon-to-be first-ballot Hall of Famer. However, the positive news is stingers tend to last a day or two, and he shouldn’t miss any games.

The 49ers have dealt with huge injuries for years now, even starting a full investigation to see if the electrical substation in front of their facility was causing tissues to soften or causing injuries. It seems like they are injury-plagued year after year.

Mike Evans is the undoubted WR1 of the team

Replacing Evans is no easy feat. He is an elite receiver, a Super Bowl champion, and has reached the 1,000-yard mark in all but one season in his career. Given that the 49ers lost Ricky Pearsall for all season, and they won’t count with Brandon Aiyuk for extra curricular reasons, Evans is a need not a luxury.

Without him, Deebo Samuel will turn into the WR1. However, Samuel, who is a veteran, is more of a gadget player than a volume, go-to receiver. This could mean that tight end George Kittle becomes the primary pass-catcher of the team.

Key takeaways

• Wide receiver Mike Evans suffered a rib injury against the Arizona Cardinals and was ruled out.
• Before exiting the game, the wideout recorded three catches for 34 yards and one touchdown.
• Left tackle Trent Williams left the game after suffering a stinger.

The 49ers have dealt with several availability concerns, and losing their star pass rusher creates another challenge for a defense that depends heavily on his ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks.

The injury also raises questions about how long San Francisco will have to play without Bosa. Although the defensive end is expected to miss multiple weeks, the team has not placed him on injured reserve, leaving open the possibility of a return before the minimum absence that designation would require.

What happened to Nick Bosa?

Nick Bosa suffered a calf injury during Thursday’s practice, leaving the 49ers without their defensive leader for the matchup against Arizona. The injury occurred during preparations for Week 3, and the team has not provided a specific timetable for his return. For now, San Francisco will have to adjust its defensive rotation while monitoring his recovery.

The biggest question is how many games Bosa will miss. The current expectation is that the defensive star will be sidelined for several weeks, although his exact recovery timeline remains uncertain. His absence could significantly affect the 49ers’ pass rush, particularly as the team continues dealing with injuries across the roster.

Despite the expected absence, San Francisco has not placed Bosa on injured reserve. ESPN insider Adam Schefter confirmed that decision. “49ers have decided not to place DE Nick Bosa on injured reserve, per league source. Bosa pulled his calf muscle at Thursday’s practice and now is expected to miss few weeks – but avoid IR.”

Key takeaways

• Nick Bosa will miss Week 3 against Arizona after suffering a calf injury.
• The defensive end pulled a muscle during Thursday’s practice preparing for the game.
• San Francisco chose not to place him on injured reserve, avoiding IR.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that Bosa pulled his calf during practice and is expected to miss a few weeks. “Five-time Pro-Bowl DE Nick Bosa pulled his calf during Thursday’s practice and now is expected to miss ‘a few weeks’, including Sunday’s game vs the Cardinals, sources tell me and Ina Rapoport. The team is figuring out whether or not Bosa needs to be placed on injured reserve.”

The latest setback is especially concerning given Bosa’s injury history. He missed most of the 2025 season after tearing his ACL, and his return had been an important boost for San Francisco’s defense to begin the new campaign. Now, the team will have to find a way to generate pressure without one of its most important defensive players.

What happened to Nick Bosa with 49ers?

Nick Bosa suffered a calf injury at practice with the 49ers and Schefter also highlighted the number of defensive linemen San Francisco has lost over the past two weeks. Bosa is the sixth player at the position to suffer an injury during that stretch, creating another challenge for head coach Kyle Shanahan and the defensive staff.

The group includes Alfred Collins, who suffered a season-ending torn patellar tendon; Sam Okuayinonu, who broke his foot; James Thompson Jr., who sustained a high-ankle sprain; Romello Height, who broke his hand; and C.J. West, who is dealing with a bone chip in his knee. Bosa’s calf injury adds another significant name to that list.

The 49ers have already been forced to adjust their defensive line rotation, and Bosa’s absence could put even more pressure on the remaining healthy players. San Francisco will now have to determine whether to place him on injured reserve while preparing for Sunday’s matchup against Arizona.

For a team that endured a difficult injury-filled 2025 season, the early weeks of 2026 are beginning to bring familiar concerns. Bosa’s recovery timeline remains uncertain, but the 49ers will be without their star pass rusher for at least the immediate future as they try to keep their season on track.

Key takeaways

• Nick Bosa is expected to miss several weeks after suffering a calf injury.
• The defensive end pulled his muscle during Thursday’s practice and misses Sunday’s game.
• San Francisco lost six defensive linemen to injuries over the past two weeks.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Cooks is signing with the 49ers’ practice squad, initially to get up to speed for games. The agreement comes less than two weeks after the 49ers handed the Rams a 27-7 loss in the season opener in Melbourne, Australia.

For Rams fans, the name comes with memories. Cooks was once the field-stretching piece in one of the most productive Los Angeles offenses under Sean McVay. Without a doubt, it could prove to be a great move on a contract of lower value than what Tyreek Hill would have commanded.

Cooks’ stint with the Rams

The Rams acquired Cooks from the New England Patriots in 2018, adding a receiver who could threaten defenses downfield alongside Robert Woods. He rewarded that decision with 80 catches for a career-high 1,204 yards and five touchdowns in his first season with Los Angeles.

Los Angeles went on to reach the Super Bowl, with Cooks playing a prominent role in the passing game that helped carry them there. His Rams stint was brief, but that first NFL season left a clear mark, as he made an already dangerous offense harder to defend across the full width and length of the field. The numbers fell in 2019.

The Rams traded him to the Houston Texans in April 2020 after Cooks had totaled 122 catches, 1,787 yards, and seven touchdowns over his two Rams seasons. That made his second-year line 42 catches for 583 yards and two scores. The Rams ended up sending a 2022 fourth-round pick to Houston and received a second-round selection in the deal.

Why are the 49ers pursuing Cooks?

The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Demarcus Robinson sustained a high ankle sprain in the 49ers‘ Week 2 win over the Miami Dolphins. Robinson had taken on a larger role after injuries to Ricky Pearsall and De’Zhaun Stribling. Mike Evans also left the Miami game with a hip issue, although coach Kyle Shanahan said he could have returned if the game had been closer.

That leaves an opening for an experienced receiver to learn the offense and potentially help Brock Purdy later. That is where the interest and agreement with Cooks come in, as he can serve as Demarcus Robinson’s replacement in hopes that he reclaims the form seen during that stellar year with the Rams.