49ers Improve to 3-0, Suffer More Injuries In The Process

The San Francisco 49ers improved to 3-0 with a 36-30 win over the Arizona Cardinals, but injuries continued to pile up throughout the afternoon.

BY BRENDEN NUNES

Sep 27, 2026, 4:42 PM Updated: 5:14 pm

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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 27: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after c...

George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after catching a pass and running for a first down against the Arizona Cardinals in the third quarter at Levi's Stadium on September 27, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

The Arizona Cardinals made it close in the second half, but the San Francisco 49ers improved to 3-0 with a 36-30 win over their divisional opponents.

Brock Purdy followed up his near-perfect Week 2 performance with another strong showing, throwing for 297 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. George Kittle caught six passes for 82 yards and two touchdowns on his bobblehead night, while Christian McCaffrey rushed for 75 yards and another score

The 49ers built a 17-6 halftime lead and eventually led by 17 points, but special teams mistakes and Arizona’s run game, led by standout rookie Jeremiah Love, allowed the Cardinals to cut the deficit to two late in the fourth quarter. Purdy and Kittle connected one final time to help San Francisco put the game away.

San Francisco 49ers vs. Arizona Cardinals Game Notes

Arizona started the afternoon with possession, and their running game, led by rookie Jeremiah Love, made an impact early. Like last game, the 49ers forced a few third downs on the drive but couldn’t get off the field early.

The Cardinals worked their way into San Francisco territory before an offensive holding penalty made it first and 20 and finally helped the 49ers get the stop.

San Francisco’s offense looked like they were going to start three-and-out before a big play changed their fortune. Facing third-and-12, Brock Purdy completed a short pass to Mike Evans before he lateraled it to Deebo Samuel, who took it the rest of the way for the touchdown. The hook-and-ladder gave Samuel 80 yards on the play despite not recording a reception and gave the 49ers an early 7-0 lead.

Arizona went three-and-out on its next possession, giving San Francisco stops on each of its first two defensive series.

Purdy looked back to his MVP-caliber form on the next drive. Jordan Watkins, stepping up amid numerous injuries to their wide receiver room, recorded his first catch of the season for 25 yards.

The 49ers consistently picked up chunks of 10-plus yards and continued converting on third down. Purdy eventually found Evans for a 23-yard touchdown to finish a 10-play, 93-yard drive and made it 14-0.

San Francisco relied on the passing game early, with only five rushing attempts midway through the second quarter. After another short Arizona possession, the 49ers got the ball back but were held to their first three-and-out after opening the game with touchdown drives of 80 and 93 yards.

The injuries also started to pile up, as has been an unfortunate theme throughout the season. Deommodore Lenoir (concussion) went down after Fred Warner collided helmet-to-helmet with him while trying to help finish a tackle.

Arizona eventually put together its best drive of the half, converting a fourth-and-2 from the San Francisco 17 when Jacoby Brissett found Michael Wilson for eight yards. The 49ers defense held from there, forcing a 25-yard field goal to make it 14-3.

Evans was later carted off without contact after appearing to still be dealing with the effects of an earlier hit to the ribs from Budda Baker.

San Francisco managed to add to their tally before the midway break. Watkins caught a 34-yard pass on the first play of the final drive before Eddy Pineiro connected from 57 yards, ending a three-play, 34-yard possession that took just 23 seconds.

The 49ers took a 17-6 lead into halftime after controlling most of the first two quarters despite just 23 yards in the first half.

San Francisco changed their approach coming out of halftime, getting McCaffrey more involved on the ground while Purdy connected with Kittle for multiple gains of 10-plus yards.

McCaffrey eventually finished the drive with a one-yard touchdown run. Eddy Pineiro missed the extra point, but the 49ers had extended their lead to 23-6.

Arizona finally managed to find the end zone on their next possession. The Cardinals continued leaning on Love and Allgeier before Brissett found Wilson for a five-yard touchdown, cutting San Francisco’s advantage to 23-13.

The 49ers were stopped on their next drive, but the defense responded with a quick three-and-out that should have given the offense another opportunity.

Instead, the punt hit Siran Neal after he fell to the ground, and Arizona recovered. The special teams mistake immediately gave the Cardinals life after San Francisco had seemingly gotten another stop.

Arizona eventually faced fourth-and-1 from the San Francisco 19-yard line, where Deommodore Lenoir was called for pass interference in the end zone to put the Cardinals at the one. Brissett found Love for a short touchdown on the following play, making it a close game (23-20).

McCaffrey was more involved on the ground as the second half went on, while rookie Kaelon Black also got some opportunities. San Francisco appeared to be stopped on third-and-6 from the Arizona 11, but a roughing-the-passer penalty gave the offense another set of downs.

An illegal formation penalty briefly pushed them back before Purdy found Kittle for a 10-yard touchdown. Pineiro’s extra point hit the right upright and bounced out, leaving San Francisco ahead 29-20.

The 49ers were already playing without Nick Bosa, Romello Height, James Thompson Jr., and Demarcus Robinson before the game even started. WR Mike Evans was then ruled out with a rib injury after being carted to the locker room in the first half. Trent Williams left during the second half with a stinger, while Dre Greenlaw was announced as questionable to return with a quad injury.

Even without Bosa and several other defensive linemen, San Francisco was still able to generate some pressure. Keion White opened one Arizona possession by sacking Brissett for an eight-yard loss.

The Cardinals kept fighting to stay within range and keep it close. Brissett moved them back down the field, and McBride was stopped just short of the goal line before the veteran quarterback scored on a one-yard sneak to make it 29-27 with 2:51 remaining.

At that point, San Francisco just needed to kill the clock and keep possession to secure another win.

McCaffrey fought through contact for a crucial first down before Purdy appeared to finish the game himself with a long touchdown run. A holding penalty on Kittle brought the play back, forcing the 49ers to stay on the field.

Moments later, Purdy rolled to his right and found the tight end for a 20-yard touchdown, Kittle’s second score of the afternoon on the day of his bobblehead giveaway. That gave San Francisco some breathing room at 36-27.

Arizona added a 49-yard field goal late, but the 49ers recovered the ensuing onside kick to secure the 36-30 win.

Purdy finished 15-of-27 for 297 yards and four touchdowns, while Kittle led San Francisco with 82 receiving yards and two scores. McCaffrey added 75 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries as the 49ers improved to 3-0 despite another lengthy list of injuries

This story is still being updated as postgame interviews are conducted.