Kyle Shanahan went in-depth with NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco about the process behind planning the first 24 play-calls of each game.

Shanahan does not control which players the 49ers draft, but he does control which players go on the field. And through eight games, Martin has yet to take a defensive snap, and James has been inactive every week. Perhaps this is Shanahan's comment to the front office for passing on his preferred player, Skattebo, who turned out to be a stud.

The San Francisco 49ers, led by quarterback Mac Jones, face the Houston Texans, led by quarterback C.J. Stroud, on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.

Other 49ers inactives are wide receiver Ricky Pearsall Jr. (knee), center Jake Brendel (hamstring), edge rusher Bryce Huff (hamstring), running back Jordan James, safety Marques Sigle and defensive tackle C.J. West.

Kyle Shanahan discusses the 49ers Week 7 win against the Atlanta Falcons, sharing injury updates and highlighting LB Tatum Bethune, CB Darrell Luter Jr., and others.

The Niners are off to a 5-2 start despite seemingly half the team going down with injury, and Kyle Shanahan is a Coach of the Year candidate.

Purdy missed the final game of the 2024 season after suffering an elbow contusion in Week 17. The injury wasn't believed to be anything significant, but the 49ers were already out of playoff contention and didn't have any reason to risk their quarterback's health any further.