Did the 49ers defense take a step forward vs. the Cardinals?

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner is uncertain about his availability for the upcoming game against the Seattle Seahawks, indicating a day-by-day approach to his recovery. Despite indications that he may not play, Warner has not completely ruled out the possibility of participating.

Arizona football has added a running back from the Sun Belt Conference, enhancing their roster after a successful 2026 season where they achieved a 9-4 record. Despite a setback in the Holiday Bowl, the Wildcats have retained most of their players and are looking to build on their recent performance.

The St. Louis Cardinals are facing challenges in trading Nolan Arenado, whose modest on-field projection entering his age-35 season and no-trade clause limit the team's options for a significant return. This situation has led to speculation about potential trades involving other players like Willson Contreras and Lars Nootbaar during the MLB Winter Meetings.

During the Philadelphia Eagles' playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers, a sideline confrontation occurred between head coach Nick Sirianni and receiver A.J. Brown, who also dropped two passes, marking an unusual performance for him. This incident highlights the tensions within the team amid a challenging playoff run.

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has embraced the use of performance-enhancing smelling salts, suggesting that their olfactory effects may boost his coaching performance. This practice was highlighted during a recent game, drawing attention from viewers.