49ers Snap Counts: Bryce Huff continues to rack up pressures

Monday night’s victory for the San Francisco 49ers was much more of a grind than expected. Robert Saleh and the 49ers defense were just about lights out on Monday, holding the Panthers to nine points and forcing Bryce Young into two interceptions. That’s four interceptions and a fumble recovered in the last two games combined. The 49ers’ offense was a mixed bag. Three interceptions by Brock Purdy made life difficult for the 49ers, but Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle did more than enough to lead the offense to victory.

Let’s look at the snap counts and grades from Monday’s win, according to Pro Football Focus.

Offense

Quarterback

Brock Purdy 70 (60.9)

Purdy didn’t play well on Monday. Having said that, the second half game plan of running the football and keeping the throws underneath and safe worked as the 49ers moved methodically down the field to salt the game away. The interceptions were late decisions. Given the lack of velocity on Purdy’s throws, being late is a fatal mistake. Luckily, the 49ers could return to a ball-control and safe offensive approach because Carolina is inept on offense, and the 49ers’ defense made timely plays.

Purdy was 1/8 on throws of ten-plus yards with three interceptions and 25 yards. On throws between 0-10 yards, Purdy was 18/20 with a touchdown. The 49ers did what they needed to leave with a victory, but this type of offense isn’t sustainable for four quarters over the rest of the season.

Running Back

Christian McCaffrey 58 (54.5)

Kyle Juszczyk 30 (64.0)

Brian Robinson 12 (73.1)

McCaffrey’s remarkable 2025 rolls on with another 100-plus scrimmage yard day. With 89 rushing yards on 24 carries and 50 yards after contact, McCaffrey picked up the tough yards and allowed the 49ers offense to play close to the vest on the way to their victory. With seven catches and 53 yards, McCaffrey’s contributions can’t be understated in the 49ers’ offensive formula leading to the win.

Brian Robinson continues to flash with his limited opportunities. On seven carries and 40 yards, Robinson looks more and more comfortable, and it feels like the former Commander is either breaking tackles at the end of runs or falling forward every time he touches the ball.

Wide Receiver

Jauan Jennings 63 (69.4)

Ricky Pearsall 53 (52.5)

Demarcus Robinson 38 (51.7)

Kendrick Bourne 6 (54.5)

Skyy Moore 5 (56.7)

While the focus will be on Jennings’ postgame, extracurricular activity, the former Tennessee wide receiver looked every bit the part of “third and Jauan” on Monday with tough catches and a touchdown reception. With 41 yards on five catches, Jennings caused four missed tackles and gained two first downs. As far as the other receivers? Pearsall followed up his zero-yard outing with six yards, but the receiver was getting himself open, and the stripped-down offensive plan was clearly the cause for his lack of production. Demarcus Robinson and Pearsall combined for 14 yards.

Tight End

George Kittle 64 (65.8)

Luke Farrell 19 (74.8)

Jake Tonges 2 (60.0)

Another busy day at the office for Kittle with six catches on nine targets for 78 yards and a 13.0 yards per reception average. Much of the offensive plan in the second half was play-action bootlegs to the opposite direction, with Kittle open in the flat. Not a bad strategy to get the ball in Kittle’s hands. Kittle finished as the fifth-highest pass blocker with a grade of 70.3.

Offensive Line

Dominick Puni 70 (88.1)

Trent Williams 70 (82.7)

Colton McKivitz 70 (86.4)

Jake Brendel 70 (73.9)

Spencer Burford 35 (81.0)

Ben Bartch 35 (57.0)

Purdy wasn’t sacked on Monday night as the Panthers struggled to generate any pass rush, but it’s interesting to see Trent Williams leading the team with three pressures and hurries allowed. Brendel allowed two pressures and hurries, but the surprise of the night was Burford, who did allow a QB hit and pressure, but splitting snaps with Bartch finished with a favorable grade of 81.0. Dominick Puni was the highest-graded offensive player. In fact, five of the six highest graded players were offensive linemen. Puni, McKivitz, Williams, Burford, Luke Farrell, and Brendel round out the top six. McKivitz was the highest-graded run blocker at 90.3.

Defense

Defensive Line

Bryce Huff 35 (53.5)

Keion White 29 (63.0)

Kalia Davis 26 (64.3)

Jordan Elliott 22 (66.4)

Alfred Collins 21 (41.4)

Clelin Ferrell 21 (47.4)

CJ West 16 (45.2)

Sam Okuayinonu 15 (63.9)

Bryce Huff racked up five pressures, three hurries, and two QB hits on 26 pass rushing snaps. In true pass sets, Huff tallied four pressures, two QB hits, two hurries, and a 9.1% win rate. Clelin Ferrell notched the game’s only sack and added three pressures and two hurries. Kalia Davis continues his stretch of solid play with two pressures and hurries, but shone in true pass sets, posting a 27.3% win rate on 11 true pass snaps.

Linebacker

Dee Winters 46 (55.9)

Curtis Robinson 46 (32.0)

Luke Gifford 1 (62.4)

Curtis Robinson has a great story. Fighting back from injuries to get his chance to start at MIKE linebacker on Monday night. However, the drop off from Bethune to Robinson was evident all night. It felt like Robinson missed more than three tackles, which is what PFF credited him for, and his 32.0 defensive grade was the lowest on the defense. I get it, the 49ers are down to their third string MIKE. I think it’s time to move Nick Martin to MIKE in practice and give him some reps. At this point, if you’re going to have mistakes at the position, let it be in the name of development and give the talented rookie a shot. Hopefully, Bethune is back sooner rather than later.

Secondary

Malik Mustapha 46 (69.5)

Ji’Ayir Brown 46 (91.6)

Deommodore Lenoir 45 (58.9)

Renardo Green 39 (57.8)

Upton Stout 27 (82.2)

Jason Pinnock 19 (33.4)

Darrell Luter Jr 6 (48.0)

The story of Monday night was Ji’Ayir Brown’s finest game as a professional. The safety flashed the skill set the 49ers fell in love with at Penn State as a ball hawk who plays fast and can get downhill. Two interceptions, four tackles, and two defensive stops on the night to complete Brown’s national TV performance. His confidence is growing, and it’s due to the coaching staff’s confidence in him.

Malik Mustapha added four defensive stops, and Upton Stout had a nice showing, a PBU that was nearly an interception, and a coverage grade of 82.2. Renardo Green added a PBU, but his only blemish was biting on Tet McMillan’s double move for Carolina’s only touchdown.