Sports
49ers look to jump-start offense vs. struggling Rams
Sep 15, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) scrambles against the Minnesota Vikings in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images After their offense went stagnant in Week 2 without one of their star performers, the San Francisco 49ers will look to recover Sunday when they visit their home away from home.
After a 23-17 road loss to the Minnesota Vikings, the 49ers (1-1) technically will stay on the road when they play the Los Angeles Rams at Inglewood, Calif. But the Rams’ home has been clad in plenty of red during recent seasons when San Francisco makes its annual visit.
San Francisco has won at Los Angeles in each of the past five seasons, although they lost on the Rams’ home turf in the 2022 NFC Championship Game. San Francisco had a nine-game winning streak against Los Angeles until the regular-season finale last season when the Rams won 21-20 as both teams rested starters in advance of the playoffs.
San Francisco running back Christian McCaffrey did not play in the final meeting last season and won’t be available for this one either while on injured reserve with a calf strain. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel is doubtful with his own calf issue and likely will miss the next two games.
Without two huge weapons on offense, 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy and his NFL-best 550 yards passing through two games take center stage. His 72.3 completion percentage is eighth in the league, but he has just one touchdown pass.
“We’ve got the players. We’ve got the scheme. We’ve got what it takes,” Purdy said. “It’s dropping back and executing, knowing where my answers are and getting the balls in the guys’ hands, drop-stepping and getting first down. It’s football, man.”
Purdy threw his first interception Sunday after he had 11 last season, while earning Pro Bowl honors. He also lost a fumble, while the 49ers had a punt blocked.
“It was too sloppy on our part,” San Francisco head coach Mike Shanahan said. “… It was disappointing.”
The Rams (0-2) are dealing with their own injury issues. Wide receiver Puka Nacua (knee) was placed on injured reserve after Week 1 and wide receiver Cooper Kupp (ankle) is expected to miss extended time.
The Rams also have holes on the offensive line: Jonah Jackson (shoulder), Steve Avila (knee) and Joe Noteboom (ankle) are on IR. Even rookie kicker Joshua Karty (groin) is ailing.
Behind a makeshift line last week, even veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford looked rattled, and understandably so, as Los Angeles was never competitive in a 41-10 loss on the road to the Arizona Cardinals. Tackle Rob Havenstein (ankle) returned in Week 2 and tackle Alaric Jackson (suspension) is set to come back Sunday.
“The amount of moving parts that we’ve had offensive line-wise has been wild, and that’s such an important spot to be able to get a rapport with the guy that you’re playing next to,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said. “It starts with me, putting guys in better spots.”
On defense, the Rams already were up against it after the retirement of star defensive tackle Aaron Donald. The revamped group has struggled to an NFL-worst 426 yards allowed per game.
“It’s definitely a little different,” Shanahan said about not having to account for Donald. “That’s been 99 percent of our brain power for a number of years and it’s kind of weird just not thinking that way.”
Against the run, Los Angeles has allowed 197 yards per game, third worst in the NFL. The Rams recently placed safety John Johnson II (shoulder) on IR.
“Trust the process,” Stafford said. “… You can’t think about this scenario, that scenario, whatever it is. Just continue to work. We’ll have next-man-up mentality in some spots, get some people back as well and it’ll be a fun challenge for us.”
In addition to Kupp and Karty not participating in practice for the Rams on Wednesday, tight end Davis Allen (back) and cornerback Cobie Durant (toe) also were out.
Samuel was the only member of the 49ers who did not practice. Safety Talanoa Hufanga is approaching his season debut after ACL surgery in November.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Charlie Woods' U.S. Junior run ends with bogey in playoff
Charlie Woods watches his tee shot during the 109th Florida Amateur Championship at The Club at Admiral’s Cove on June 11, 2026, in Jupiter, Florida. Charlie Woods’ run at the 2026 U.S. Junior Amateur ended early Wednesday with a bogey on the first playoff hole.
The 17-year-old son of Tiger Woods fell shy of advancing to match play at Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem, Pa.
Charlie Woods was one of 14 golfers in the playoff, competing for two spots in match play. The Florida State commit went 76-70 in stroke play, topping his previous performances of 80-74 in 2025 and 82-80 in 2024.
Woods was 6-over-par through five holes in Monday’s round before rebounding strong and playing his next 31 holes in 1-under par.
In Wednesday’s playoff, Woods’ tee shot at the par-5 first hole found the middle of the fairway, about 270 yards from the hole. With two players ahead of him having already carded birdies, he went for the green in two but found thick rough. His pitch ended up on the fringe and his birdie chip slid past the hole, ending his day.
Eli Wessel, Hudson Kutchma and Leo Gao birdied to advance to the second playoff hole, where Wessel and Kutchma made pars to move on to match play.
Woods is heading into his senior season of high school and is expected to sign with the Seminoles, where he will join No. 1-ranked junior Miles Russell in the 2027 recruiting class. Russell shared medalist honors this week and entered match play as the No. 2 seed.
Woods entered the week ranked No. 174 by the American Junior Golf Association.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Stephen Curry first active player showcased by Hall of Fame
Sep 25, 2022; San Francisco, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) poses with the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophies during Media Day at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame will break with tradition Friday when it opens an exhibition highlighting the career of Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry. No other player in league history has received such an honor while still active.
The exhibition is titled “Stephen Curry: Beyond the Arc” and takes a look at the four-time NBA champion and two-time MVP both on and off the court. Curry’s business team partnered with the Hall of Fame on the project.
“The exhibit is designed to explore his multifaceted legacy as a basketball icon, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and family man,” the Hall of Fame said in a news release.
This will be the first look at Curry’s legacy at the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., but not the last. He is certain of being selected for enshrinement into the hall as soon as he is eligible, post-retirement.
“When I think about my journey, I think about the people who believed in me, the work that happened when nobody was watching and the moments that shaped me on and off the court,” said Curry, 38.
“To have that story told while I’m still playing is something I don’t take lightly. My hope is that fans walk through this experience and feel the joy, the purpose and the gratitude that basketball has given me, and maybe see a little bit of their own journey in it too.”
A closing date has not been set for the exhibition.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Cardinals OL Isaiah Adams facing gun charges in Canada
Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Isaiah Adams (74) watches from the sidelines during the team’s practice at State Farm Stadium on July 29, 2025. Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Isaiah Adams is facing multiple charges related to a guns and gangs investigation in his native Canada.
Adams turned himself into Durham Regional Police in the Toronto area on Sunday on charges of possessing a weapon by crime, possessing a restricted or prohibited firearm without a license, possessing a loaded firearm and possessing a prohibited device.
His 27-year-old sister, Allyson Mae Adams, was charged with the same crimes as part of the investigation.
Adams, who turned 26 on Tuesday, has since returned to Arizona and is expected to report to training camp on Wednesday, according to ESPN. The Cardinals begin practice on Thursday.
The Cardinals said Tuesday that they were aware of the situation.
“Out of respect for the process, we will refrain from commenting further at this time,” a team spokesperson said.
A third-round draft pick by Arizona in 2024, the 6-foot-4, 315-pound Adams appeared in 32 games with 16 starts in his first two NFL seasons. He is expected to compete with rookie Chase Bistonis for the starting job at right guard.
–Field Level Media
Charlie Woods' U.S. Junior run ends with bogey in playoff
Stephen Curry first active player showcased by Hall of Fame
