WEBVTT - 1st & 10: What Should the 49ers Expect From the Commanders in Week 16?

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<v Speaker 1>M m M. Hello and welcome to the forty Niners

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<v Speaker 1>First and ten Podcast, ten minutes of the most up

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<v Speaker 1>to date forty Niners news first thing in the morning.

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<v Speaker 1>I'm your host Brian McDonald, and I'm joined with forty

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<v Speaker 1>Niners team reporter Lindsay Polariz. Lindsey, thanks for joining me,

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<v Speaker 1>of course, Brie. Alright, So before we get into previewing

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<v Speaker 1>the Week sixteen matchup against the Washington Commanders, let's talk

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<v Speaker 1>Pro Bowl. The forty Niners received the most fan votes

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<v Speaker 1>out of every team in the league, so shout out

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<v Speaker 1>to the faithful. Six San Francisco players earned spots on

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<v Speaker 1>the Pro Bowl roster. Those players being defensive lineman Nick Bosa,

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<v Speaker 1>fullback Kyle use Check, tight end George Kittle, linebacker Fred Warner,

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<v Speaker 1>left tackle Trent Williams, and safety Teleno who Funga earned

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<v Speaker 1>his first trip to the Pro Bowl. Additionally, offensive lineman

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<v Speaker 1>Jake Brendle, kicker Robbie Gold, running back Christian McCaffrey returned,

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<v Speaker 1>specialist Ray Ray McLeod, wide receiver Deebo Samuel, cornerback Trevorius Ward,

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<v Speaker 1>and punter Mitchishnowski were selected as alternates. It's a long

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<v Speaker 1>list of Niners we've got going this year. So, lindsay,

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<v Speaker 1>what was your first reaction to seeing the list of

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<v Speaker 1>forty Niners who made the Pro Bowl. First of all,

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<v Speaker 1>it is great to see six players on that first

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<v Speaker 1>team selection, and of course you're just happy for anybody

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<v Speaker 1>that gets a Pro Bowl NOD. I know that. I

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<v Speaker 1>spoke to safety Talo who Fonga Um, Who's just so excited.

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<v Speaker 1>It was like one of his personal goals to get

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<v Speaker 1>his first Pro Bowl. UM. So obviously a lot of

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<v Speaker 1>excitement surrounding that. The rest of the players, UM, the

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<v Speaker 1>other five not huge surprises. They're obviously just huge contributors

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<v Speaker 1>on this team. But I do want to say, I

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<v Speaker 1>think there is a name missing from this and it

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<v Speaker 1>is something we from head coach Kyle Shanahan as well.

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<v Speaker 1>I don't know, there's been a lot of enthusiasm for

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<v Speaker 1>a linebacker Dre green Law this year, especially when it

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<v Speaker 1>comes to just within the organization and the faithful fan base,

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<v Speaker 1>So I feel like that's maybe a name that is missing,

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<v Speaker 1>especially just because he's been playing lights out, kind of

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<v Speaker 1>the one to punch a linebacker duo with Fred Warner. Um,

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<v Speaker 1>you know, just a great stretch of games by Dre

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<v Speaker 1>green Law, so maybe maybe a big miss there. UM.

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<v Speaker 1>And then also, you know we heard head coach Kyle

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<v Speaker 1>Shanahan also mentioned Christian McCaffrey is one that UM feels

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<v Speaker 1>like he should have been a first selection as well.

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<v Speaker 1>Really tough to not see them making that starter list,

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<v Speaker 1>especially with Dre green Law having the most tackles on

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<v Speaker 1>the forty niners number one ranked defense in the league.

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<v Speaker 1>But this week, the forty Niners are going to be

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<v Speaker 1>up against a tough Commander's team that's fighting for a

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<v Speaker 1>spot in the postseason. The Commanders are currently sitting in

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<v Speaker 1>the seventh and final seed in the NFC playoff picture.

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<v Speaker 1>What should we expect from Washington come Saturday. I think

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<v Speaker 1>we should expect a team that is playing for their

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<v Speaker 1>lives basically, you know, they want to be able to

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<v Speaker 1>continue on in the postseason, and you know, for them,

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<v Speaker 1>a win is very critical. Obviously on the forty Niners

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<v Speaker 1>side now is just about playoff positioning, but definitely not

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<v Speaker 1>a team to be underestimated. Their first in time of possession,

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<v Speaker 1>they have an amazing top five defense, UM, so definitely

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<v Speaker 1>a force to be reckoned with. Not somebody that should

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<v Speaker 1>be underestimated. And you know, I know that the entire

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<v Speaker 1>forty Niners team is not taking this next opponent lightly. UM.

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<v Speaker 1>I think the mentality on the forty Niner side is,

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<v Speaker 1>you know, UM, don't take your foot off the gas

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<v Speaker 1>because they want a very competitive home stretch of the season.

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<v Speaker 1>We heard from head coach Call Shanahan on Tuesday and

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<v Speaker 1>again yesterday. Here's what he had to say about competing

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<v Speaker 1>against Washington m ayone who plays defense as well as

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<v Speaker 1>they do and commits to running the ball UM usually

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<v Speaker 1>is recipe to be in the playoffs. UM. You know,

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<v Speaker 1>they're number one in the league in time of possession UM,

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<v Speaker 1>their top four in yards I think, their top their

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<v Speaker 1>third on third down UM, their top five at least

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<v Speaker 1>amount of explosives UM, and they they're top five defense.

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<v Speaker 1>And when you have that and you're able to stop

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<v Speaker 1>the run UM without always having to play the run,

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<v Speaker 1>make some rolled up to go against. They don't give

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<v Speaker 1>up big plays, They make everyone work for everything. And

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<v Speaker 1>then on the other side of the ball, UM, they're

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<v Speaker 1>controlling that clock. So UM usually when they take care

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<v Speaker 1>of the ball, they win. Shanahan mentioned it and his

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<v Speaker 1>team echoed it. Also the Commanders are entering the contest

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<v Speaker 1>with a very physical defense there ranked number four in

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<v Speaker 1>the league, and their past rush is what really stands out.

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<v Speaker 1>With it being brock parties only third start this season,

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<v Speaker 1>what does the forty Niners offense have to do to

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<v Speaker 1>replicate the success that they've had over the past two games.

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<v Speaker 1>You know, I think it comes down to making sure

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<v Speaker 1>that Brock is well protected, especially against a pass rush that,

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<v Speaker 1>like you said, has been very successful. Um, they are

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<v Speaker 1>one of only two teams that have three or more

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<v Speaker 1>players with seven or more sacks than Also, UM, defensive

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<v Speaker 1>lineman Chase Young is also back in the fold for

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<v Speaker 1>this game, so little extra firepower on the Commander's pass rush.

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<v Speaker 1>So definitely just want to make sure that Brock pretty

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<v Speaker 1>is protected in the pocket. Obviously, he is working back

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<v Speaker 1>from a ribbon an oblique injury. UM he didn't get

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<v Speaker 1>an injury designation this week, so he's obviously trending in

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<v Speaker 1>the right direction. But you know, you just want to

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<v Speaker 1>protect your quarterback at all times. And then also, you know,

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<v Speaker 1>I think if you want to replicate the success, you

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<v Speaker 1>want to have a good game on the ground, and

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<v Speaker 1>we saw Christian McCaffrey really take a bulk of the

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<v Speaker 1>reps in Seattle, probably going to see more of that.

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<v Speaker 1>And Kyle Shanahan also hit tied at the idea of

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<v Speaker 1>Jordan Mason getting more reps earlier in the game. UM,

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<v Speaker 1>we'll see how his hamstring tightness that we heard about

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<v Speaker 1>today kind of plays into that. UM, But definitely definitely

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<v Speaker 1>lots to do in order to keep plugging away. Here's

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<v Speaker 1>what offensive line and run game coordinator Chris Forrester had

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<v Speaker 1>to say about preparing the offense for the Commander's aggressive

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<v Speaker 1>defensive line. And this group defensively is uh. You can

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<v Speaker 1>see their very sound uh and what they do schematically.

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<v Speaker 1>They're very well coached. Their techniques are very very good.

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<v Speaker 1>They've got skilled players. When they come to tackle, you

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<v Speaker 1>know you're getting tackled. When when you hit one of them,

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<v Speaker 1>you know you hit one of them. I mean, it's

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<v Speaker 1>a it's a stout group. They bring it every single

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<v Speaker 1>week and they present a great challenge for us up

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<v Speaker 1>front on the offensive line. On the other side of

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<v Speaker 1>the ball, the forty Niners defense has been preparing for

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<v Speaker 1>a Commander's offense that's known for their run game, dominating

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<v Speaker 1>in time of possession, and with their rookie running back

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<v Speaker 1>Brian Robinson Jr. Having the hot hand in Washington's run game,

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<v Speaker 1>how is the forty Niners number one defense going to

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<v Speaker 1>match up against that? You know, I think for them

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<v Speaker 1>it is just keep doing what you're doing. Uh. The

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<v Speaker 1>forty Niners defense obviously top ranked right now, and they're

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<v Speaker 1>holding opponents their averages fifteen points allowed per game. Um.

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<v Speaker 1>I was reading a stat that the Commanders are averaging

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<v Speaker 1>just over eighteen points a game on offense. So it's

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<v Speaker 1>going they're going to be really really tough to beat

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<v Speaker 1>if they're holding the Commanders to that very low average

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<v Speaker 1>as well. Um. So I think it's just about getting

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<v Speaker 1>those big plays, and we've seen kind of the big

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<v Speaker 1>playmakers on defense switch every game. You never know who

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<v Speaker 1>it's gonna be, who's gonna come away with the force

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<v Speaker 1>fumble or the interception. Um. But obviously a matchup to

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<v Speaker 1>watch is going to be the forty Niners run defense,

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<v Speaker 1>which is number one in the league, going against, like

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<v Speaker 1>you said, a run game from the Commanders that is

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<v Speaker 1>eleventh overall, and just making sure that Brian Robinson doesn't

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<v Speaker 1>have a good day on Saturday for the forty Niners defense,

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<v Speaker 1>The rich is only getting richer since Jevon Kimla is

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<v Speaker 1>expected to play on Saturday, and they'll also have the

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<v Speaker 1>star power of Eric Armstead on the defensive line. So lindsay,

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<v Speaker 1>what does the game status is for those possibly injured

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<v Speaker 1>players look like going into Saturday's game. We have cornerback

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<v Speaker 1>to our Various Ward who is on the last steps

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<v Speaker 1>of his concussion protocol. Kyle Shanahan said that they would

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<v Speaker 1>have more clarity on his status later today, which is Friday. Additionally,

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<v Speaker 1>we have Ambree Thomas questionable with an ankle injury, Carrie Hyder,

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<v Speaker 1>junior defensive lineman also questionable with an ankle injury, and

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<v Speaker 1>defensive back to our Various More dealing with an illness

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<v Speaker 1>and a knee injury. Someone to look out for there.

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<v Speaker 1>And then new to the injury report like I mentioned earlier,

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<v Speaker 1>was rookie running back Jordan Mason Uh. They described his

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<v Speaker 1>issue as just some hamstring tightness that happened during Wednesday's practice.

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<v Speaker 1>He didn't close out the workout and they were just

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<v Speaker 1>being safe today. So I think that those are going

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<v Speaker 1>to be just injuries that you keep a look out for,

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<v Speaker 1>and the team will have more clarity as we get

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<v Speaker 1>into the weekend. Thank you for those updates. Well. With

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<v Speaker 1>the forty Niners playing on Christmas Eve this Saturday, some

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<v Speaker 1>of the forty Niners members shared their favorite holiday traditions

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<v Speaker 1>and Christmas songs. Here's what they had to say. I

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<v Speaker 1>would say Silver Bells is my favorite song, um by

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<v Speaker 1>who's that Dean Martin? So I love that song. And

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<v Speaker 1>then some favorite movies I do, like The Grinch, like

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<v Speaker 1>The Family Stone and uh, shoot one more, probably Home

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<v Speaker 1>Alone it's a classic favorite Christmas song be uh Silent

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<v Speaker 1>Night by the Temptations, and favorite Christmas tradition Uh. I

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<v Speaker 1>would say this when I was younger, like my family

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<v Speaker 1>always would we have a few gathering on Christmas Eve

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<v Speaker 1>and everyone would just always exchange gifts as a matter

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<v Speaker 1>of giving and everybody just being thankful for what they

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<v Speaker 1>had and it was just a really cool time for

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<v Speaker 1>the family to get together. And I think that's what

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<v Speaker 1>you know Christmas. It turns it is all about his

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<v Speaker 1>family being around each other. Probably me reading the night

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<v Speaker 1>before Christmas. I always do that the night before um

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<v Speaker 1>and I'm trying to make it as entertaining as possible

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<v Speaker 1>where everyone just laughs at me and mis pronounced things

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<v Speaker 1>and stuff. Okay, well I think we have to share

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<v Speaker 1>our own favorites too, Yes, okay, So my Christmas tradition

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<v Speaker 1>that I have with my family is that we actually

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<v Speaker 1>celebrate Christmas Eve rather than Christmas, so everyone everyone will

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<v Speaker 1>get together and come midnight, that's when we open up

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<v Speaker 1>the presents and we share all of the fun things. Um,

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<v Speaker 1>And I don't know if I have a favorite Christmas song.

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<v Speaker 1>I might just have to go on the good, reliable

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<v Speaker 1>and where I carry. But how about you? Yeah, same

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<v Speaker 1>thing with my family. We typically celebrate on Christmas Eve.

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<v Speaker 1>So I'm going to be at the game on Saturday,

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<v Speaker 1>as will you, and I'm going to rush home to

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<v Speaker 1>southern California to catch the tail end of a family

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<v Speaker 1>get together. And then I think, I don't know if

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<v Speaker 1>I have a favorite Christmas song. All time favorite Christmas

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<v Speaker 1>movie is The Home Alone, the original one, just because

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<v Speaker 1>it's it's a classic and I watch it every year.

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<v Speaker 1>That's a good one. But what's better than Christmas and football?

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<v Speaker 1>This Saturday should be a fun day. Yeah, the two

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<v Speaker 1>best things ever. I'm so excited for it. Right, All right, Well,

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<v Speaker 1>that'll do it for today. Make sure you tune into

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<v Speaker 1>the forty Niners You've Got Mail podcast on all platforms.

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<v Speaker 1>Kick off for Saturday's game against the Washington Commanders is

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<v Speaker 1>that one oh five pan Pacific time at Levi Stadium,

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<v Speaker 1>and you can catch the game on CBS. For more

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<v Speaker 1>information on the latest team updates, check out the news

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<v Speaker 1>on forty niners dot com. Don't forget to follow first

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<v Speaker 1>and ten on Spotify. That's it for today, and you

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<v Speaker 1>can hear from us again for a game recap on

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<v Speaker 1>Monday morning. Thanks for tuning in m