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Former Second-round Pick Set to Visit Chicago Bears Tomorrow After Being Released by 49ers

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49ers place Drake Jackson on season-ending injury list - CBS San Francisco

Chicago, IL — October 2025
When the San Francisco 49ers cut ties with Drake Jackson, it looked like the cruel end to a once-bright career. A second-round pick out of USC, a pass rusher who once opened a season with three sacks in a single game, suddenly reduced to an injury file and a failed physical. But tomorrow, Jackson steps into Halas Hall with something more dangerous than doubt — belief that his story isn’t finished.

Jackson’s promise was real. In 2023, he ripped through Pittsburgh’s offensive line in Week 1 and finished the day with three sacks, a performance that felt like a star being born. But then came the patellar tendon tear — a career-killer in NFL circles.
By May 9, 2025, the 49ers made their decision: waived with failed physical designation. Twenty-three games, six sacks, one interception. That was the end in San Francisco. The team turned to Yetur Gross-Matos and rookie Mykel Williams, leaving Jackson as another casualty of their 2022 draft class.

Now just 24, Jackson insists he’s fully healed. His rehab is complete, his burst returning, his hunger never gone. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, his comeback tour includes the Jets, Commanders, and yes — the Chicago Bears. For a Bears team still searching for edge depth and identity on defense, Jackson’s timing may be perfect.
For Chicago, it’s a look. For Jackson, it’s survival.

49ers fans are already flooding X with messages of regret: “He had the tools.” “Still rooting for you.” But the wider league knows the truth: patellar tendon injuries can bury careers. Mike McGlinchey’s long recovery remains the warning.

Tomorrow, as Jackson walks into Chicago’s facility, he isn’t just chasing a roster spot. He’s chasing redemption.

If he flashes the burst that once terrorized quarterbacks, the Bears could hand him a second life. If he falters, his name may drift into the long list of forgotten draft picks.

But for now, Chicago offers something priceless: a door still open. And for Drake Jackson, sometimes that’s all a player needs to turn heartbreak into rebirth.

49ers Fan-Favourite OL Faces Family Tragedy Ahead of Week 6 Game as Military-Trained Skydiving Instructor Dies in Nashville
San Francisco 49ers rookie offensive lineman Dominick Puni is mourning a devastating personal loss following the team’s Week 5 matchup, as his cousin Justin Fuller, a respected military-trained skydiving instructor, died in a tragic tandem jump accident near Nashville.Fuller, 35, was fatally injured after becoming separated from his parachute harness mid-air during a jump organized by Go Skydive Nashville. His student survived after landing in a tree with the parachute deployed and was later rescued by firefighters.Police confirmed Fuller’s body was recovered in a wooded area off Ashland City Highway. The Nashville Fire Department called it “one of the most complex high-angle rescues in recent years,” commending its personnel for the effort. Justin Fuller, known by the nickname "Spidey," died after a tandem skydiving jump went wrong on Oct. 4, 2025, near Nashville, Tennessee. (Facebook/Justin Fuller Spidey) Fuller, known affectionately as “Spidey,” had completed more than 5,000 jumps and trained U.S. military personnel in advanced aerial maneuvers. Friends described him as “fearless, focused, and committed to lifting others higher — both in life and in the air.” Puni, whose mother is the younger sister of Fuller's , grew up admiring his cousin’s discipline and sense of purpose. Family members say that influence helped shape his mental toughness and leadership on the field. A relative told local media, “Justin taught Dominick that strength isn’t about being unbreakable — it’s about standing firm when life hits hardest. That’s exactly how Dominick lives and plays today.” Puni, a rookie out of Kansas, has steadily earned the 49ers’ trust along the offensive line, praised for his physicality in the run game and poise in protection. Coaches describe him as “wise beyond his years.” The 49ers have privately offered support and time for Puni and his family, ensuring he can process the loss away from team obligations. Teammates have rallied behind him, honoring his family’s resilience and service background. The FAA is investigating the incident, while tributes to Fuller — under his nickname “Spidey” — continue to flood social media from military peers, skydivers, and fans nationwide. “He taught others to fly — now he’s flying higher than all of us,” one tribute read.