Patriots avoid shutout with a 63-yard field goal, but Purdy and the 49ers defense are in top form after frustrating loss to Rams
The 49ers aim to reverse a disappointing start to the season Sunday afternoon when they host the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium.
Deebo Samuel and George Kittle are expected back after both missed last week’s game in Los Angeles against the Rams, which the 49ers led for more than 54 minutes before collapsing in the final moments for a 27-24 loss.
The 49ers will still be missing running back Christian McCaffrey, last season’s NFL offensive player of the year, for a fourth straight game. He is on injured reserve and out until at least the Oct. 10 game in Seattle with a calf/Achilles injury that kept him out of training camp and sent him last week to Germany for treatment.
More negative news came this week when Javon Hargrave was placed on injured reserve with a torn triceps suffered in the loss to the Rams.
The Patriots come into the game with a few extra days to prepare after losing 24-3 to the Jets on Thursday night last week. New England’s passing attack has struggled mightily as Jacoby Brissett has not crossed 150 yards passing in any of the Pats’ three games so far, though they are eighth in rushing yards behind a tandem of Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson.