Golden Nuggets: Football is Back - For Real!

Good morning folks, the 2018 NFL season kicks off tonight with a game between the reigning NFL champion Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons. Despite neither team playing the 49ers during the regular season this year, the game should be an interesting watch nevertheless. The Eagles are a talented team, but Super Bowl hangover can be a very real thing - for both winners and losers, as we’ve seen firsthand in the recent past. The Falcons, however, have been a team on a rollercoaster for several years. As talented as they are, the offense has had enormous down years during their first season with new offensive coordinators recently (Kyle Shanahan and now Steve Sarkisian) - but it’ll be interesting to see if they have the same kind of resurgence they experienced in their second year with Shanahan at the controls.

The 49ers have been quietly dealing with the fallout from Jerick McKinnon’s unfortunate injury, as well as restocking the roster after the post-cut IR transactions. The team has brought back safety Antone Exum, as well as picked up journeyman tackle Matt Tobin - the fifth tackle on the roster - as Garry Gilliam makes his way back from a preseason concussion. There’s no telling if either figures to maintain a roster spot throughout the season at this point, but I’d lean towards “no”, at least in Tobin’s case.

In uplifting news, it seems that Fred Warner is expected to start during Reuben Foster’s two-game suspension. The third round rookie from BYU has had some serious hype within the 49ers fan community as a guy whose immense coverage ability can make an immediate difference for the young defense. Personally, I’m a fan of the young linebacker, and can’t wait to see what he can do for this team.

49ers sign free agent tackle Matt Tobin, resign safety Antone Exum | Branch, SF Gate

Kyle Shanahan has historically done well against Vikings HC Mike Zimmer | Branch, SF Gate

Injury report for Vikings week | Maiocco, NBC Sports Bay Area

Terrell Owens to accept HOF ring at Levi’s Stadium | Maiocco, NBC Sports Bay Area

49ers prepare for life without Jerick McKinnon | Almquist, KNBR | Biderman, Sac Bee

Fred Warner expects to start Week 1 | Biderman, Sac Bee