The 49ers look to keep their perfect start intact Sunday in Cleveland, where they’ll face the NFL’s No. 1 overall defense, but won’t see starting quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Follow along here as we track the action:
6:50, 1Q – 49ers 7, Browns 0: Jake Moody’s first missed field goal attempt of the season ended the 49ers’ second drive. After Fred Warner picked off P.J. Walker in 49ers territory and returned it to the Cleveland 26, the San Francisco offense lost 10 yards before Moody’s 54-yard attempt.
12:16, 1Q – 49ers 7, Browns 0: The Niners marched 84 yards on their opening drive, which was capped by a Christian McCaffrey shovel-pass touchdown from Brock Purdy to extend the running back’s scoring streak to 15 games (second in NFL history). The drive was keyed by a 27-yard run by McCaffrey and two 15-yard penalties on the Browns.
Below are our notes from pregame:
CLEVELAND — A brief but feisty brawl erupted along the 49ers sideline as players came out for warmups, about 40 minutes before kickoff against the host Browns.
About 15 players from both teams gathered near midfield, and Trent Williams was the first to rush in to shove Browns wide receiver Elijah Moore away from 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel. Moore’s helmet came off upon Williams’ side impact.
No punches were visible, and officials did not appear to eject any players for their actions. It appeared that Aiyuk and Samuel initially riled up the Browns, then pushing and shoving ensued. Aiyuk had to be pulled back by Fred Warner and Colton McKivitz.
The 49ers huddled up as a team shortly thereafter, and it wasn’t just Fred Warner in the middle as usual but an animated Aiyuk hyping up his teammates.
49ers headed into locker room after warmups with some Browns defenders standing guard with officials as shields pic.twitter.com/ZpPS2IvfIT
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) October 15, 2023
Once pregame warmups concluded 10 minutes later, the 49ers filed down the sideline toward their locker room, and Browns linebackers Anthony Walker and Matthew Adams stood nearby with their arms crossed, and with officials serving as a barrier between them and the 49ers.
GREENLAW OUT, MITCHELL IN
Dre Greenlaw will miss his first game this season, but the 49ers will welcome back running back Elijah Mitchell for today’s game at the Browns.
Mitchell, after missing the previous two games, returned to practice Thursday, two weeks after getting hurt in practice. He’s only played in two games, including an 11-carry, 42-yard effort in the home opener against the Giants.
The 49ers (5-0) surely will miss Greenlaw’s speed and tenacity, to an extent. The Browns (2-2) will start practice-squad callup P.J. Walker in place of the injured Deshaun Watson.
Greenlaw’s 37 tackles are second only to fellow linebacker Fred Warner’s 54; Greenlaw notched his first sack of the season to close out last Sunday night’s first half in the 42-10 win over the Dallas Cowboys.
Linebacker Curtis Robinson was elevated Saturday from the practice squad, a signal that the 49ers would be without Greenlaw, who aggravated a hamstring injury in Thursday’s practice and was limited Friday; he missed the entire preseason because of a hamstring issue through camp. Robinson played 18 special-teams snaps in the season opener.
OTHER INACTIVES
With Mitchell suiting up as potential relief for Christian McCaffrey, the 49ers returned Ty Davis-Price to the inactive list. Also in uniform is Jordan Mason, who scored the 49ers’ final touchdown last Sunday night.
Other inactives: offensive lineman Matt Pryor, defensive lineman Kalia Davis, linebacker Jalen Graham and tight end Brayden Willis, along with emergency No. 3 quarterback Brandon Allen.
Replacing Pryor as an offensive line reserve is Nick Zakelj, who suits up for the first time this season.
Also in uniform is practice-squad callup Shemar Jean-Charles, a cornerback who played 13 special-teams snaps in the home-opening win over the Giants.
BROWNS BENCHED
Joining Watson on the Browns’ inactive list are guard Joel Bitonio (knee), defensive tackle Siaki Ika, defensive end Isaiah McGuire, safety Ronnie Hickman, cornerback Kahlef Hailassie and wide receiver Cedric Tillman.
Michael Dunn will start at left guard in place of Bitonio.