Waitman Named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week
The San Francisco 49ers punter earned the weekly honor after a dominant performance against the Seattle Seahawks.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Football
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Corliss Waitman has been named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week following a standout performance in the San Francisco 49ers victory over the Seattle Seahawks. He successfully pinned all five of his punts inside the 20-yard line during the contest.
Why it matters
The recognition highlights the impact of elite punting on field position and defensive momentum. Waitman managed to suppress the Seahawks offense by limiting return opportunities and forcing crucial field positioning throughout the game.
Waitman recorded 216 total punting yards with an average of 43.2 yards per attempt. He successfully pinned five punts inside the 20-yard line while allowing zero return yards against Seattle.
The players
Corliss Waitman
He is an NFL punter who signed a one-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers on March 18, 2026.
Gracen Halton
He is a San Francisco 49ers player who forced and recovered a fumble in the end zone following a punt.
The details
During the game, Waitman launched a 38-yard punt that was downed at Seattle's four-yard line, leading to a forced fumble by teammate Gracen Halton that was recovered in the end zone. The punter completed the game without allowing a single return yard on his five attempts.
Timeline
2022 Week 3: Waitman earned an AFC weekly award while playing for Denver.
March 18, 2026: Waitman signed a one-year contract with the 49ers.
2026 Week 5: Waitman performed in the 49ers win against the Seahawks.
October 14, 2026: The NFL named Waitman the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week.
Season Trajectory
This accolade underscores Waitman's reliability in the 49ers special teams unit through 16 punting attempts this season. His performance helps stabilize the team's field position battle as they navigate the remainder of the 2026 campaign.
Waitman has maintained a 47.2-yard punting average across his 16 attempts this season. His ability to prevent return yardage directly reduces the risk of long-field returns for the 49ers defense.
The takeaway
Reliable punting remains a vital component of winning tight contests by consistently pinning opponents deep in their own territory. Fans should monitor special teams efficiency as a key metric for determining field control in future games.
Further reading
For more on local gridiron developments, visit San Francisco Football.
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