NFC Notes: 49ers, Cardinals, Rams

49ers

49ers’ HC Kyle Shanahan is excited with the progress of WR Dante Pettis, who will take on a much larger role due to all the injuries suffered by the team’s receivers this offseason.

“When he came in, I saw him right away and we had a chance to talk,” Shanahan said, via NBC Sports Bay Area. “And you could just tell his mindset, and how his body was, that he spent time away from us doing everything he could to put himself in a position to make this team and be as successful as he can be. He had a lot of opportunities, but it wasn’t just that. It was the demeanor, the aggression, his routes and everything. I’ve been very pleased with Dante so far.”

• Eric Branch of The San Francisco Chronicle says that defensive tackle could be a spot of concern for the 49ers after DT D.J. Jones sustained a shoulder injury in practice and DT Jullian Taylor is still sidelined recovering from a torn ACL.

Cardinals

• Per Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic, Cardinals DT Jordan Phillips said he considered opting out of the 2020 season but decided against it after a family discussion. 

Rams

Rams HC Sean McVay has good things to say about RB Darrell Henderson despite the fact that RB Cam Akers has been getting first-team reps. 

“He’s done a nice job. Darrell’s a guy that I think last year, had some unfortunate injuries that led to not maybe getting as much work as we thought he was going to get. But, he did flash some things that got us so excited about taking him out of Memphis,” McVay said, via Cameron DaSilva of USA Today. “I think he’s taking a really big step in the right direction. He’s showing big picture understanding of everything in all phases – pass game, run game, protection. I continue to go back to just (running backs coach) Thomas Brown’s influence on that room as a whole. It’s definitely showing. When you guys get a chance to meet him, you’ll realize why I think he’s such a special coach.”