Eric Branch

San Francisco

Sportswriter at San Francisco Chronicle

49ers beat writer for the San Francisco Chronicle who had a childhood fascination with Johnny "Lam" Jones. Stumbling forward.

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Articles

49ers’ new special team coach flashes candor shaped by his gritty career

2 days ago | sfchronicle.com | Eric Branch

San Francisco 49ers’ Jacob Cowing (19) falls as he returns a punt during the first half of his NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. Stephen Lam/The ChronicleFILE - New York Jets special teams coordinator Brant Boyer watches warm ups before an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y., Nov. 19, 2023.
49ers waive pass rusher Drake Jackson, adding to 2022 draft class woes

5 days ago | sacbee.com | Eric Branch

May 9-The San Francisco 49ers' last pick in the 2022 NFL draft, quarterback Brock Purdy, is a spectacular success story. Their first pick in that draft, pass rusher Drake Jackson - well, that's a different story. The 49ers waived Jackson with a failed-physical designation Friday because the former second-round pick has yet to recover from a knee injury that has sidelined him since November 2023, a league source said. The 49ers haven't ruled out re-signing Jackson if he can make a full recovery.
Run it back: 49ers hope Junior Bergen recreates the magic he made at Montana

5 days ago | sfchronicle.com | Eric Branch

Niners returner Junior Bergen runs drills during rookie camp on Friday in Santa Clara. Josie Lepe/For the S.F. ChronicleNiners returner Junior Bergen (86) and wide receiver Jordan Watkins prepare for rookie camp on Friday in Santa Clara. Bergen was selected in the seventh round and Watkins in the fourth.
49ers waive pass rusher Drake Jackson, adding to 2022 draft class woes

5 days ago | sfchronicle.com | Eric Branch

Defensive lineman Drake Jackson leaves the field after the 49ers played the Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium in 2023. Michael Owens/Getty ImagesThe Niners’ Drake Jackson, who missed the 2024 season because of a knee injury, was waived by the team Friday. Scott Strazzante/S.F. ChronicleThe San Francisco 49ers’ last pick in the 2022 NFL draft, quarterback Brock Purdy, is a spectacular success story. Their first pick in that draft, pass rusher Drake Jackson — well, that’s a different story.
Robert Saleh is back with the 49ers because Kyle Shanahan had his back

6 days ago | sanluisobispo.com | Eric Branch

May 8-A day after the 2018 regular-season finale, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spelled out what he'd strongly suggested throughout a difficult four-win year: He wasn't going to fire the second-year coordinator of a defense that had just set NFL records for the fewest takeaways and interceptions in a season while allowing the fifth-most points the league. Shanahan even went a step further.
Robert Saleh is back with the 49ers because Kyle Shanahan had his back

6 days ago | mercedsunstar.com | Eric Branch

May 8-A day after the 2018 regular-season finale, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spelled out what he'd strongly suggested throughout a difficult four-win year: He wasn't going to fire the second-year coordinator of a defense that had just set NFL records for the fewest takeaways and interceptions in a season while allowing the fifth-most points the league. Shanahan even went a step further.
Robert Saleh is back with the 49ers because Kyle Shanahan had his back

6 days ago | fresnobee.com | Eric Branch

May 8-A day after the 2018 regular-season finale, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spelled out what he'd strongly suggested throughout a difficult four-win year: He wasn't going to fire the second-year coordinator of a defense that had just set NFL records for the fewest takeaways and interceptions in a season while allowing the fifth-most points the league. Shanahan even went a step further.
Robert Saleh is back with the 49ers because Kyle Shanahan had his back

6 days ago | modbee.com | Eric Branch

May 8-A day after the 2018 regular-season finale, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spelled out what he'd strongly suggested throughout a difficult four-win year: He wasn't going to fire the second-year coordinator of a defense that had just set NFL records for the fewest takeaways and interceptions in a season while allowing the fifth-most points the league. Shanahan even went a step further.
Robert Saleh is back with the 49ers because Kyle Shanahan had his back

6 days ago | sacbee.com | Eric Branch

May 8-A day after the 2018 regular-season finale, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spelled out what he'd strongly suggested throughout a difficult four-win year: He wasn't going to fire the second-year coordinator of a defense that had just set NFL records for the fewest takeaways and interceptions in a season while allowing the fifth-most points the league. Shanahan even went a step further.
What does 49ers’ new special teams coach think of beleaguered kicker Jake Moody?

6 days ago | sanluisobispo.com | Eric Branch

May 8-Jake Moody heard it from frustrated fans last season, but it sounds as if the San Francisco 49ers' embattled kicker now has a fan in an influential position. New special teams coordinator Brant Boyer hailed Moody's ability Thursday and attributed much of his struggles in 2024 to the high ankle sprain he suffered in October.