Eric Branch
Verified
As seen in:
San Francisco Chronicle,
MSN,
Yahoo Life,
Wiley Online Library,
SFGate,
Chron,
Flipboard,
The Minnesota Star Tribune,
Yahoo Sports,
Military.com,
Yahoo
and
49ers beat writer for the San Francisco Chronicle. Proud alum: @northbaynews, @SLOTribune, @TownTalkDotCom, @ydrcom, Logansport Pharos-Tribune and @dailybruin
Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Eric Branch
Walking in faith, slinging f-bombs, Brock Purdy redefines leadership for 49ers Original
Brock Purdy is the San Francisco 49ers’ God-fearing, occasionally f-bombing quarterback. And if you wonder whether those qualities can — or should — coexist, Purdy once wrestled with that, too. Purdy used to feel guilt and confusion at the intersection of faith and football. He has an average annual income of $53 million but hasn’t established a charitable foundation. He has a deep desire to share his faith but doesn’t proselytize from news conference podiums.
49ers will avoid facing Rams DT Aaron Donald, who won't travel to Australia
Good news for the San Francisco 49ers: The Rams will be traveling to Australia on Tuesday night with 285 fewer pounds of cargo than head coach Kyle Shanahan expected. Defensive tackle Aaron Donald won't play against the 49ers on Thursday night in the season opener at Melbourne Cricket Ground, ESPN first reported. Donald, 35, returned to the Rams on Aug.
49ers will avoid facing Rams DT Aaron Donald, who won’t travel to Australia Original
Good news for the San Francisco 49ers: The Rams will be traveling to Australia on Tuesday night with 285 fewer pounds of cargo than head coach Kyle Shanahan expected. Defensive tackle Aaron Donald won’t play against the 49ers on Thursday night in the season opener at Melbourne Cricket Ground, ESPN first reported. Donald, 35, returned to the Rams on Aug.
49ers will avoid facing Rams DT Aaron Donald, who won’t travel to Australia
Australia 1 hour ago The most controversial 49ers reporter has become an Australian microcelebrity SFGate - Gabe Fernandez • 1h Nobody within the San Francisco 49ers beat knows how to turn themselves into a story the way Grant Cohn does. So it was only natural that the veteran sportswriter became the center of attention in Australia for the Niners’ international season opener.
49ers’ Trent Williams says next season could be his last. A left tackle who played at 40 isn’t convinced Original
Andrew Whitworth thinks Trent Wiliams is one of one: The best player at his position in NFL history. But when it comes to what the San Francisco 49ers’ left tackle says about his retirement plans? Whitworth thinks Williams is just like one of so many other athletes who have come before him. Last season, before the 49ers’ win over the Rams in Week 5, Williams approached Whitworth during pregame warmups.
After impressing his oncologist, Greg Papa's ‘impossible dream' comeback begins Thursday
Dr. Aaron C. Logan doesn't speak in superlatives. The USC- and Stanford-educated oncologist is clinical, rather than emotional, when discussing his patients, their care and recoveries. So when Logan was being interviewed about Greg Papa, the San Francisco 49ers radio announcer who could soon go back on the air after recently going through hell, he demurred when asked whether Papa's recovery was "remarkable." Nope, sorry. Not a word found in medical journals.
After impressing his doctor, Greg Papa's ‘impossible dream' comeback begins Thursday
Dr. Aaron C. Logan doesn't speak in superlatives. The USC- and Stanford-educated oncologist is clinical, rather than emotional, when discussing his patients, their care and recoveries. So when Logan was being interviewed about Greg Papa, the San Francisco 49ers radio announcer who could soon go back on the air after recently going through hell, he demurred when asked whether Papa's recovery was "remarkable." Nope, sorry. Not a word found in medical journals.
After impressing his doctor, Greg Papa’s ‘impossible dream’ comeback begins Thursday
Dr. Aaron C. Logan doesn’t speak in superlatives. The USC- and Stanford-educated oncologist is clinical, rather than emotional, when discussing his patients, their care and recoveries. So when Logan was being interviewed about Greg Papa, the San Francisco 49ers radio announcer who could soon go back on the air after recently going through hell, he demurred when asked whether Papa’s recovery was “remarkable.” Nope, sorry. Not a word found in medical journals.
A tip, an iPhone photo and a scoop: How Kaepernick's protest exploded in one frantic night
Mike Garafolo had the tip. Jennifer Lee Chan had the click. Soon, Steve Wyche had the story. At 7:02 p.m. on Aug. 26, 2016, around the same time Garafolo was relaying information to Wyche, his NFL Media colleague, Chan, unknowingly, snapped a historic iPhone photo three minutes before kickoff: It's the only known picture of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick sitting, rather than kneeling, during the national anthem.
A tip, an iPhone photo and a scoop: How Kaepernick's protest exploded in one frantic night
Mike Garafolo had the tip. Jennifer Lee Chan had the click. Soon, Steve Wyche had the story. At 7:02 p.m. on Aug. 26, 2016, around the same time Garafolo was relaying information to Wyche, his NFL Media colleague, Chan, unknowingly, snapped a historic iPhone photo three minutes before kickoff: It's the only known picture of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick sitting, rather than kneeling, during the national anthem.
A tip, an iPhone photo and a scoop: How Kaepernick’s protest exploded in one frantic night Original
Mike Garafolo had the tip. Jennifer Lee Chan had the click. Soon, Steve Wyche had the story. At 7:02 p.m. on Aug. 26, 2016, around the same time Garafolo was relaying information to Wyche, his NFL Media colleague, Chan, unknowingly, snapped a historic iPhone photo three minutes before kickoff: It’s the only known picture of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick sitting, rather than kneeling, during the national anthem.
Unranked and unloved by scouts, Jaden Dugger might be 49ers' new late-round find
In 2023, Jaden Dugger was a safety. In 2024, he was a pass rusher. In 2025, he was an inside linebacker. In 2026, Louisiana coach Michael Desormeaux feared his star pupil could go undrafted. Because Dugger changed positions annually, some NFL evaluators weren't sure what he was heading into April's draft. Desormeaux said he heard a common refrain from scouts: "We just don't see where he fits." Desormeaux's response: Pick a spot for him. He'll be a great pick.
Unranked and unloved by scouts, Jaden Dugger might be 49ers' new late-round find
In 2023, Jaden Dugger was a safety. In 2024, he was a pass rusher. In 2025, he was an inside linebacker. In 2026, Louisiana coach Michael Desormeaux feared his star pupil could go undrafted. Because Dugger changed positions annually, some NFL evaluators weren't sure what he was heading into April's draft. Desormeaux said he heard a common refrain from scouts: "We just don't see where he fits." Desormeaux's response: Pick a spot for him. He'll be a great pick.
Unranked and unloved by scouts, Jaden Dugger might be 49ers' new late-round find
In 2023, Jaden Dugger was a safety. In 2024, he was a pass rusher. In 2025, he was an inside linebacker. In 2026, Louisiana coach Michael Desormeaux feared his star pupil could go undrafted. Because Dugger changed positions annually, some NFL evaluators weren't sure what he was heading into April's draft. Desormeaux said he heard a common refrain from scouts: "We just don't see where he fits." Desormeaux's response: Pick a spot for him. He'll be a great pick.
Unranked and unloved by scouts, Jaden Dugger might be 49ers’ new late-round find Original
In 2023, Jaden Dugger was a safety. In 2024, he was a pass rusher. In 2025, he was an inside linebacker. In 2026, Louisiana coach Michael Desormeaux feared his star pupil could be undrafted. Because Dugger changed positions annually, some NFL evaluators weren’t sure what he was heading into April’s draft. Desormeaux said he heard a common refrain from scouts: “We just don’t see where he fits.” Desormeaux’s response: Pick a spot for him. He’ll be a great pick.
49ers' Jed York absent from NFL owners meeting three days after arrest
San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York was not in attendance at a meeting of NFL owners in Atlanta on Wednesday, a league source said, three days after he was arrested in a prostitution sting at a trailer park near his hometown of Youngstown, Ohio. The 49ers were represented by CEO Al Guido, who, as with many other high-level league executives, regularly attends owners meetings.
49ers' Jed York absent from NFL owners meeting three days after arrest
San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York was not in attendance at a meeting of NFL owners in Atlanta on Wednesday, a league source said, three days after he was arrested in a prostitution sting at a trailer park near his hometown of Youngstown, Ohio. The 49ers were represented by CEO Al Guido, who, as with many other high-level league executives, regularly attends owners meetings.
49ers' Jed York absent from NFL owners meeting three days after arrest
San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York was not in attendance at a meeting of NFL owners in Atlanta on Wednesday, a league source said, three days after he was arrested in a prostitution sting at a trailer park near his hometown of Youngstown, Ohio. The 49ers were represented by CEO Al Guido, who, as with many other high-level league executives, regularly attends owners meetings.
49ers' Jed York absent from NFL owners meeting three days after arrest
San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York was not in attendance at a meeting of NFL owners in Atlanta on Wednesday, a league source said, three days after he was arrested in a prostitution sting at a trailer park near his hometown of Youngstown, Ohio. The 49ers were represented by CEO Al Guido, who, as with many other high-level league executives, regularly attends owners meetings.
49ers' Jed York absent from NFL owners meeting three days after arrest
San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York was not in attendance at a meeting of NFL owners in Atlanta on Wednesday, a league source said, three days after he was arrested in a prostitution sting at a trailer park near his hometown of Youngstown, Ohio. The 49ers were represented by CEO Al Guido, who, as with many other high-level league executives, regularly attends owners meetings.
Greg Papa hopes to return to 49ers booth, lands NBC Sports Bay Area gig after KNBR cut him
Greg Papa appears poised to take the next step in his remarkable medical journey. The San Francisco 49ers radio play-by-play announcer said Tuesday that he hopes to return to the booth early this season, and he expects to have a major role on 49ers' "Pregame Live" and "Postgame Live" shows on NBC Sports Bay Area if he's not calling 49ers games. Papa will also make weekly appearances on the "49ers Talk" podcast. * Related: 49ers voice Greg Papa survived a transplant and lung failure.
Greg Papa will return to 49ers booth, lands NBC Sports Bay Area gig after KNBR cut him
Greg Papa is poised to take the next step in his remarkable medical journey. The San Francisco 49ers radio play-by-play announcer confirmed Tuesday that he plans to return to the booth early this season and he will have a major role on 49ers’ Pre and Postgame Live on NBC Sports Bay Area. Papa will also make weekly appearances on the “49ers Talk” podcast. Earlier this month, he was laid off by KNBR.
San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York arrested in Ohio
San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor charges on Monday in East Palestine, Ohio, after he was arrested, according to court records. Court records show York pleaded no contest to charges of disorderly conduct and possessing criminal tools. The records did not provide details about the crime. York was arrested at 9:35 a.m. on Sunday at a mobile home park near the Pennsylvania border, Ohio news channel WKBN reported.
Top five things to watch in 49ers' preseason matchup against the Chargers
Thursday's game will feel like the real deal for at least a couple of drives, when the San Francisco 49ers give "a number of starters" a chance to stretch their legs for the first and perhaps last time this preseason, as head coach Kyle Shanahan forecasted. Joint practice with the Los Angeles Chargers, who also plan to play their starters, offered a sense of what to monitor in those fleeting moments.
Top five things to watch in 49ers’ preseason matchup against the Chargers
Thursday’s game will feel like the real deal for at least a couple of drives, when the San Francisco 49ers give “a number of starters” a chance to stretch their legs for the first and perhaps last time this preseason, as head coach Kyle Shanahan forecasted. Joint practice with the Los Angeles Chargers, who also plan to play their starters, offered a sense of what to monitor in those fleeting moments.
Kurtis Rourke’s dazzling 49ers debut could open door to a Mac Jones trade Original
Kurtis Rourke’s dazzling NFL debut last week increased the odds that the San Francisco 49ers will trade backup quarterback Mac Jones before the league’s Nov. 10 deadline. To be clear: That’s an opinion, not a sourced fact. And one important caveat: In-season quarterback trades are rare. There have been only six since 2015. With that out of the way, let’s connect a few dots after Rourke, the 49ers’ third-string quarterback, was a revelation in last week’s preseason opener.
For 49ers' Nick Bosa, second ACL surgery is a ‘different beast' as tendinitis lingers
In September, three days after Nick Bosa suffered a torn ACL in his right knee, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked about the All-Pro pass rusher's injury history. Bosa tore the same ACL when he was a senior in high school in 2015. Would a second tear in the same knee be a factor in his recovery and eventual return to play?
For 49ers’ Nick Bosa, second ACL surgery is a ‘different beast’ as tendinitis lingers
In September, three days after Nick Bosa suffered a torn ACL in his right knee, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked about the All-Pro pass rusher’s injury history. Bosa tore the same ACL when he was a senior in high school in 2015. Would a second tear in the same knee be a factor in his recovery and eventual return to play?
49ers game review: Kurtis Rourke offers Brock Purdy déjà vu in promising debut Original
Brock Purdy is probably a once-in-a-generation NFL story. But let’s keep an eye on Kurtis Rourke, his biographical doppelganger. You know, just in case. Before Thursday night, plenty had noted the parallels between Purdy and Rourke. They are both seventh-round picks of the San Francisco 49ers who made 46 college starts and were championed by a 49ers quarterbacks coach after leading their long-irrelevant Midwest programs to unexpected heights. It was a cool coincidence.
49ers QB Kurtis Rourke's first game action in 601 days ends with injury
Kurtis Rourke's stellar NFL debut ended early Thursday after the San Francisco 49ers quarterback suffered a rib injury in the second quarter of the preseason opener against the Titans. Before his premature exit, Rourke completed 12 of 14 passes for 101 yards, and he rushed for 14 yards on three carries. The 2025 seventh-round pick left shortly after he was whacked by two defenders on a three-yard scramble midway through the second quarter.
After broken neck, 49ers’ Robert Jones ready to fight for a job: ‘I do have to hit again’ Original
On Thursday, a few snaps into his first game in 585 days, San Francisco 49ers left guard Robert Jones got to line up against an old friend he’d trained with in Dallas. That was the good news. The bad news: His buddy is Jeffery Simmons, the Titans’ All-Pro defensive tackle. It wasn’t the ideal way for Jones to knock the rust off. On the ninth snap of the preseason opener, Jones was flagged for holding the four-time Pro Bowl pick, negating a 21-yard completion.
49ers QB Kurtis Rourke's first game action in 601 days ends with injury
Kurtis Rourke's stellar NFL debut ended early Thursday after the San Francisco 49ers quarterback suffered a rib injury in the second quarter of the preseason opener against the Titans. Before his premature exit, Rourke completed 12 of 14 passes for 101 yards, and he rushed for 14 yards on three carries. The 2025 seventh-round pick left shortly after he was whacked by two defenders on a three-yard scramble midway through the second quarter.
Show More
loading
Actions
Get in touch with Eric
Contact Eric, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack