49ers Suffer 26-15 Home Loss to Texans Amid Key Injuries

The San Francisco 49ers suffered a 26-15 defeat to the Houston Texans, hampered by a slew of injuries, particularly on defense where key players like Fred Warner, Nick Bosa, Dee Winters, Jordan Elliott, and Sam Okuayinonu were sidelined or left the game due to injuries. The Texans dominated the game with 475 total yards and controlled the clock for over 41 minutes, while the 49ers managed only 223 yards and struggled offensively with just 10 rushing attempts and four three-and-out series. Quarterback Mac Jones, starting in place of the injured Brock Purdy, completed 19 of 32 passes for 193 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception but could not sustain drives or compensate for the limited ground game led by Christian McCaffrey's 25 rushing yards on eight carries. Head coach Kyle Shanahan expressed disappointment with the team’s overall performance, citing poor tackling, lack of pass rush, and defensive mistakes while emphasizing the need to regroup and improve. Despite some offensive highlights, including touchdown passes to George Kittle and Jake Tonges, the 49ers' defensive struggles and injuries ultimately led to their first loss after a previous win over the Falcons, dropping their record to 5-3 and losing their hold on first place in the NFC West. The team faces uncertainty regarding the severity of the recent injuries but remains hopeful to recover and compete better in upcoming games.