49ers Will Host Denver Broncos in Santa Clara
The San Francisco 49ers prepare to face the Denver Broncos at home following a series of practice squad signings.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Football
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As the San Francisco 49ers prepare to host the Denver Broncos, the team is working to solidify its depth. Defensive lineman Mykel Williams practiced on Wednesday for the first time since tearing his ACL in November 2025.
Why it matters
The 49ers are navigating significant personnel challenges, including receiver depth issues that led to the recent signings of Dante Pettis, Matthew Judon, and Brandin Cooks to the practice squad.
The Denver Broncos enter the game coming off a performance where they missed 24 tackles against the Kansas City Chiefs. Meanwhile, the 49ers have managed to allow zero sacks through their first three games of the season.
The players
Mykel Williams
He is a defensive lineman for the San Francisco 49ers who is working to return to the field after a significant injury.
Raheem Morris
He serves as the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers and oversees the team's defensive personnel management.
Dante Pettis
He is a veteran wide receiver who was recently signed to the San Francisco 49ers practice squad to bolster depth.
Matthew Judon
He is an experienced player recently added to the San Francisco 49ers practice squad to address team depth.
Brandin Cooks
He is a 34-year-old veteran wide receiver who joined the San Francisco 49ers practice squad last week.
The details
Defensive coordinator Raheem Morris is managing various injury concerns, as Keion White missed time due to a hamstring issue and Romello Height practiced with a broken hand. The 49ers may look to replicate the run-heavy, short-passing attack they utilized against the Arizona Cardinals to exploit Denver's current defensive struggles.
Timeline
November 2025: Mykel Williams tore his ACL.
2025: The Broncos ranked No. 8 in run defense.
Wednesday: Mykel Williams practiced for the first time.
October 2026: Dante Pettis turns 31.
Next week: The 49ers play the Seattle Seahawks.
Season Trajectory
The Denver Broncos' shift from a top-tier run defense to a bottom-ranked unit highlights the volatility of team performance metrics as tracked by the NFL's current run defense EPA ranking system. This game tests the 49ers' offensive efficiency against the Broncos' historically declining run defense metrics.
The 49ers' streak of zero sacks allowed through three games will be tested by a Broncos defense that recorded 68 sacks last season. Fantasy managers should note the 49ers' reliance on run-heavy schemes, which has limited big-play opportunities for individual receivers.
The takeaway
The 49ers are leveraging veteran signings to compensate for injuries as they maintain an undefeated record. Success in the upcoming matchup depends on whether the offense can continue to protect the quarterback and exploit Denver's recent tackling issues.
What happens next
The San Francisco 49ers are scheduled to play the Seattle Seahawks next week.
Further reading
For more updates on team preparation, visit the Football section.
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