Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 277

49ers injury report vs. Buffalo: Purdy will play, other key players will not

SANTA CLARA — Brock Purdy will be back, but he’ll be missing key parts of his supporting cast.

A look at who is out and who is questionable Sunday for the 49ers’ road game against the Buffalo Bills:

OUT

Defensive end Nick Bosa, hip, oblique

Bosa last played in a 20-17 loss to Seattle. He went into the game with an oblique/hip injury, then strained the other side while recording his second sack and departing after 32 snaps. Stayed behind and rehabbed for last week’s loss to Green Bay — his first missed game since Oct. 16, 2022, a 28-14 road loss to Atlanta. Bosa was not on the field during the media window Friday.

Left tackle Trent Williams, ankle

Williams made it through the Seattle loss at what he estimated at 65 percent. The toll it took, however, was enough to keep him out against the Green Bay loss. A Pro Bowl player all four seasons with the 49ers and a first-team All-Pro for the last three, Williams has missed 11 games due to injury since joining the 49ers. Williams was not on the field during the media window Friday.

CB Deommodore Lenoir, knee

One of the 49ers’ top performers in 2024, Lenoir banged knees with an opponent against Green Bay and missed five snaps. He was held out of practice through Thursday. Lenoir was not on the field during the media window Friday.

Left guard Aaron Banks, concussion

Missed the last seven snaps of the loss to Packers and was placed on concussion protocol upon the 49ers’ return home, Banks missed two games in 2022-23 because of injury after assuming the starting job. Banks was not on the field during the media window Friday.

Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott, concussion

Considered one of the 49ers’ better interior run defenders, Elliott departed after 26 snaps against the Packers and hadn’t practiced through Thursday. Elliott was not on the field during the media window Friday.

Linebacker Dre Greenlaw, Achilles

Greenlaw just started practicing this week and wasn’t expected to be activated. The 49ers will want to see another week from him to determine if he can go from I.R. to the 53-man roster next week against Chicago.

QUESTIONABLE

Quarterback Brock Purdy, shoulder

Played in 48 games in four seasons at Iowa State, never missing one due to injury. Made 37 starts for the 49ers (31 in the regular season, six in the postseason) before emerging from the Seattle game on Nov. 17 with a shoulder injury. Purdy was throwing during warmups and drills during the media window Friday.

Linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, knee

One of the 49ers’ better players on their much-maligned special teams as well as a spot linebacker, Flannigan Fowles departed after nine special teams snaps against Green Bay. Missed Weeks 5 and 6 with a calf injury. Flannigan-Fowles was not on the field during the media window Friday.

Wide receiver Chris Conley, knee

Reserve wide receiver and special teams player was apparently injured during Wednesday’s practice. He participated fully, but on Thursday was on the report for limited participation.

Defensive lineman Kevin Givens (groin)

Has missed the last four games but appears on track to return to the rotation on the interior defensive line.

Cornerback Renardo Green (neck)

Missed some time against the Packers but with Lenoir out should still have a prominent role even with the return of Charvarius Ward.

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NOTABLE

— Sebastian Gutierrez was signed to his second practice squad stint this season. Gutierrez was also in the practice squads of Cleveland and Indianapolis this season and in previous years has been on the practice squads of New England, the Raiders and Kansas City. Cameron Erving, who was signed to the practice squad two days ago, was released.

49ers’ Brock Purdy will start vs. Bills, Bosa, Williams, Banks and Lenoir are out

SANTA CLARA — It’s not like he was throwing at game speed, but the sight of Brock Purdy throwing the ball during warmups Friday was encouraging before the 49ers left on a trip to Buffalo for a Sunday night game against the Bills.

It was even more encouraging following practice, when Purdy was listed as questionable with a shoulder injury but declared the starter by coach Kyle Shanahan to face the Bills.

“I feel good, so I’m excited to be able to play,” Purdy said before the 49ers left for Buffalo.

As for Purdy’s supporting cast, it will be without some key players. The 49ers will be missing the left side of their starting offensive line as tackle Trent Williams (ankle) and guard Aaron Banks (concussion) are out and will not make the trip.

It will be the second straight missed game for Williams, who will be replaced by Jaylon Moore. While Shanahan declined to name a starting left guard, both Purdy and tight end George Kittle said Ben Bartch would step into the lineup.

Bartch started Weeks 1 through 3 last season for Jacksonville in 2023 and was signed by the 49ers on Nov. 21 of last season. He was inactive for the first 10 games this season and played seven snaps against Green Bay after Banks departed. He played 28 snaps after joining the 49ers last season, 16 of them in the final game of the season.

Defensively, two of the 49ers’ best players this season are out and will not travel as defensive end Nick Bosa (obliques, hips) and cornerback Deommodore Lenoir (knee) won’t play. Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (concussion) also will be sidelined.

While Lenoir won’t play, cornerback Charvarius Ward will be active after missing three games on bereavement after the death of his 23-month-old daughter.

It was the first time Purdy had thrown in the presence of reporters since he was listed with a sore shoulder coming out of a Nov. 17 loss to Seattle.

Purdy was also listed as limited Thursday during a closed practice, a day in which he said he made considerable progress and was throwing without pain. He said he still isn’t sure when the injury originally occurred, although he was clearly affected in the later part of the game.

In open media periods since the injury, Purdy has done footwork and handoffs but not thrown the ball other than a few lobs to assistant coaches and the support staff.

“It was great to have him back out there,” Shanahan said. “He was able to go fully today, so it was a good day.”

Asked if a full practice would indicate Purdy was the starter, Shanahan said, “It would suggest that . . .  lots of things can happen between now and then, but right now he’s playing.”

Standing on the sideline and not in uniform against Green Bay was a new experience for Purdy, who played in 45 games over four seasons at Iowa State without missing one, and had made 37 straight starts for the 49ers including playoffs. The last time Purdy couldn’t suit up was as a junior at Perry High in Gilbert, Arizona, when he missed three games with mononucleosis, a stretch that affected his recruiting.

“Mentally, it was like, ‘Alright, this is different,’ ” Purdy said. “Because I’ve always been able to find a way come game time to be ready for my guys, both in college and the NFL. I’m glad we’ve moved on. We’re healthy and ready for this one.”

As for playing without Williams and Banks protecting his blind side, Purdy said, “Obviously you’d love to have your guys that are starting play, but that’s the NFL and I have all the trust in the world in the guys that we have behind our starters. Jaylon Moore I think has done a great job coming in and Ben Bartch, we know he’s had history of playing as a starter in the NFL. That’s part of the game, guys get banged up, guys get thrown in.”

Purdy said he doesn’t feel compromised in any way throwing the ball, isn’t concerned about a snowy forecast and wouldn’t be playing if he couldn’t make any throw in the playbook.

“If I’m out there playing, which is the plan, then I’ll be able to make every throw that we have drawn up,” Purdy said. “I wouldn’t go out there playing not 100 percent.”

Deommodore Lenoir (2) defends KaVontae Turpin of Dallas at Levi’s Stadium on Oct. 27.

MOONEY WARD’S RETURN

After working with the scout team last week, Ward had a good week of practice and is expected to play although Shanahan stopped short of saying he’d start ahead of either Isaac Yiadom or Green.

“We expect him to play,” Shanahan said. “He had a good week of practice. So it’s looking like he’s trending towards playing and excited to get him back out there with us.”

LENOIR, BOSA, WILLIAMS, UPDATES

The 49ers have said little about Lenoir’s injury other than he had “banged knees” with an opponent. Shanahan elaborated somewhat on Friday. The good news is there is no structural damage. Lenoir was signed to a five-year, $92 million contract extension on Nov. 17.

“It’s kind of like a quad contusion, but it’s right on the bone, so it’s in that same area,” Shanahan said. “It kind of acts like one. Tried to go all week and just couldn’t get it to go.”

Likewise, Bosa and Williams did not show the requisite improvement to be available. Williams’ situation sounded as if it might be more problematic than that of Bosa.

“We understand kind of what’s wrong with them, it’s just kind of how it heals,” Shanahan said. “And the guys, Trent especially, hasn’t been healing the way we hoped. Hopefully they’ve got a better chance next week. But they ended up never getting back into practice this week so ended up not being that close.”

GREENLAW GETTING CLOSER

There was no expectation that Greenlaw would be put back on the 53-man roster this week after opening his 21-day window after recovering from an Achilles tear last Feb. 11 in the Super Bowl. Kittle, however, said Greenlaw’s energy was noticeable this week and Shanahan didn’t rule out a Dec. 8 return against the Chicago Bears. The 49ers host the L.A. Rams four days later on a Thursday night.

“I think that makes it a little harder,” Shanahan said. “We’ve just got to see how he feels. With those games being so close, that’s a problem. I’m not going to decide right now. We’ll see how next week goes but I’d say it would be an outside chance.”

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NOTABLE

— Wide receiver Ronnie Bell, who caught two passes for 22 yards in nine games, was waived. Bell, a seventh-round draft pick out of Michigan, had a key drop in the 49ers’ Week loss against the Los Angeles Rams. He played 113 snaps on special teams.

— Sebastian Gutierrez was signed to his second practice squad stint this season. Gutierrez was also in the practice squads of Cleveland and Indianapolis this season and in previous years has been on the practice squads of New England, the Raiders and Kansas City. Cameron Erving, who was signed to the practice squad two days ago, was released.

Snow will greet 49ers in Buffalo but heavy stuff done by game time

The 49ers are walking into a winter wonderland.

A lake-effect storm warning is in effect for the Buffalo area through Monday night, with multiple feet of snow expected before the Bills host the 49ers on Sunday night at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, about 10 miles south of downtown Buffalo.

Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. ET, and a snow band is forecast to pass through beforehand before dipping south of Orchard Park, according to the National Weather Service.

“As the front goes through, the snowfall rate will be 1 to 2 inches per hour. It’s got a pretty good snowfall rate with it as it moves south,” Aaron Reynolds of the National Weather Service told this news organization in a phone interview. “Once it moves south, the Orchard Park area should be free and clear, with decent snow showers around the area.

“But as far as heavier lake-effect snow, it should be clear of the Orchard Park area.”

Temperatures Sunday are expected to reach as high as 31 and fall into the low 20s, with gusts as high as 24 mph before calming in the evening to 5 to 9 mph.

“There’s not much here we can prepare for,” wide receiver Deebo Samuel said Tuesday. “I see like 30 mph winds (forecast). We live in California with great weather all the year around, so you can’t kind of prepare for something like that. You have to deal with it when you get there.”

Running back Christian McCaffrey grew up in suburban Denver and has played in his share of snow games.

“When I was 7 we had a Super Bowl on the lower field at Regis Jesuit High School. It was a blizzard, and we beat the Cherry Creek Bruins, double overtime on a last-second play. And that was a blizzard,” McCaffrey said. “Then played in a bunch more, a couple of my state championships we were in in high school, in a blizzard. I’m familiar with the snow. It will be a fun atmosphere.”

The 49ers are flying into Buffalo on Friday night after their final, official practice; it’s unknown where they’ll hold their private Saturday walk-through.

The team is expected to stay in downtown Buffalo, which is expected to avoid the brunt of the snowstorm this weekend.

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Last weekend, the 49ers lost 38-10 in Green Bay, where temperatures slightly dropped from 43 degrees at kickoff and a light rain developed.

“When you go into it and you hear that it could be the weather that it is, you take that in your mind a lot understanding how the game can be,” coach Kyle Shanahan said, “but you don’t make a full game plan for that, because I’ve listened to plenty of weather reports that changed that day too. So you’ve got to be ready for anything, just like you are with injuries, but we fully understand what the elements may be.”

This is the 49ers’ sixth visit to Buffalo. Here are the conditions and outcomes of past visits:

2016: Loss 34-24. Weather: 72 degrees with 22 mph wind

2008: Win 10-3. Weather: 38 degrees, 15 mph winds, wind chill of 29

1998: Loss 26-21. Weather: 50 degrees, 9 mph

1983: Win 23-10. Weather: 27 degrees, 14 mph wind, wind chill of 16

1972: Loss 27-20. Weather 60 degrees, 12 mph wind

CCS Division II football finals: Palma, Wilcox look to control game on the ground

SALINAS — There is no record of Palma and Wilcox High of Santa Clara having ever played each other in football

Yet, from 1990 to 2010, the two perennial Central Coast Section football powers would scrimmage each other before opening the season.

“I think we just got tired of traveling that far for a scrimmage every other year,” Palma coach Jeff Carnazzo said. “We weren’t seeing that kind of offense in our league. It’s not conventional.”

Perhaps.

But the veer offense, an option attack that originated in the 1960s, is alive and well for the top-seeded Chargers, who will face Palma at 7 p.m. Saturday at San Jose City College for the CCS Division II title.

“They have a culture in their program that goes back a long time,” Carnazzo said. “Wilcox is a well-coached team that’s disciplined on both sides of the ball.”

Palma’s defense has played well in the first two rounds of the CCS playoffs. (Raul Ebio – Herald Correspondent)

The Chargers (10-2) are in the CCS title game for the fourth straight year, having fallen in the Open Division finals in 2022 to Serra of San Mateo and in the Division I championship in 2023 to Los Gatos.

Owners of three section titles, Wilcox won the CCS Division II title in 2021. Champions of the Peninsula Bay Division, it has won 10 or more games in four of the last five seasons, and is currently riding an eight-game winning streak.

Palma, meanwhile, is the reigning Division III champions and have won 12 section titles during its run of 40 straight playoff appearances. The Chieftains are 5-1 lifetime playing section title games at San Jose City College.

Dating back to last season, the defending State Division 4A champion Chieftains (7-5) have won seven straight playoff games – five of them coming on the road, including wins this year at Sacred Heart Cathedral and in Redwood City, where they beat Menlo.

“We have been a different team in the playoffs the last two years,” Carnazzo said. “It’s good for us to play in a division that is fair for us. We’re a small school, no matter what people think.”

Unlike last season when the Chieftains were sitting at 3-7 going into the postseason after they were forced to forfeit three wins, youth slowed progress in a 5-5 campaign.

Carnazzo brought up 13 sophomores this year, all of whom are seeing significant time, including a pair of offensive linemen who have matured as the season has progressed.

“We feel our offensive line has been a big difference maker in the last three weeks,” Carnazzo said. “It’s a group that has come into its own and has a nastiness to them. They’ve developed this saltiness.”

For an offense that is predicated on running the ball, the timing couldn’t be better.

While Carnazzo limited the carries of sophomore tailback Eli Dukes earlier in the season, he’s still closing in on 2,000 yards rushing after a 218-yard effort in the Chieftains 24-23 upset last week over Menlo.

Dukes has rushed for over 600 yards in his past three games, and has piled up over 1,000 yards in seven career playoff games.

“Our goal was to limit his carries in the regular season,” Carnazzo said. “Now because of injuries, he’s playing defense as well. His carries aren’t extreme. He has a high average per carry number.”

Dukes, who also had 40 receiving yards last week, will go into the game averaging 8.5 yards each time he touches the ball, while Izaak Hernandez averaged 4.8 yards a carry last week.

The Chieftains’ ability to control the tempo with methodical time-consuming drives has enabled them to pick and choose when to put the ball in the air.

In fact, Palma has attempted just 17 passes in its past three games, with nine completions for 297 yards and three touchdowns.

“We have to find a way to balance ourselves out a little bit,” Carnazzo said. “We have to have safe passes, bootlegs, screens and see if we can complete some deep balls down field.”

The return of Montana Tech-bound tight end Aidan Williams has enhanced the passing game, as well as adding another blocker for the ground game.

Since Williams’ return five weeks ago, Dukes had rushed for over 200 yards three times, while catching his first touchdown pass of the season against Sacred Heart Cathedral.

“The targets are there,” insisted Carnazzo. “The protection has been good. We’ve taken few sacks. All the elements are there. We just have to complete some balls.”

The strength of the Chieftains in the postseason, though, has been a tenacious defense that has allowed just seven points in the second half in two games.

Palma High’s Dominic Chaidez (2) makes an interception on a pass intended for Menlo School’s Ryan Jabal (7) in the fourth quarter of their CIF Central Coast Section Football semifinal football game in Redwood City on Saturday. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)

Linebackers Caden Scherer and Alfredo Novoa have been menacing inside, while Job Barroso and Xaiver Reinhardt have solidified the front seven in stuffing the run.

Carnazzo compared Wilcox’s attack to De La Salle’s in terms of how effective it is. De La Salle, one of the most dominant programs in the country, also runs the veer.

Brayden Rosa has chalked up nearly 1,500 yards and 25 touchdowns for the Chargers, with Elijah Vallejo being a nice complement, adding 701 yards on the ground.

“It’s old school football,” Carnazzo said. “It’s a quick-hitting offense. It’s fast. They get out of the huddle and snap quickly. It’s pretty dynamic. This might be the fastest-played game you will see this year.”

Whether it was due to injury or design, Rosa has also spent some time behind center taking direct snaps, with an occasional pass.

Kai Imahara was effective in throwing the ball for Wilcox in last week’s 10-7 win over Menlo-Atherton, completing 7-of-11 for 111 yards.

“One of their quarterbacks throws it pretty well,” Carnazzo said. “But they want to run the ball, use the clock and limit the opponents’ possessions.”

Dominic Chaidez has been a lockdown corner all year for Palma, along with returning a pair of kickoff returns for touchdowns, while Weldon Chisum has added depth in the secondary, while returning two blocked punts for touchdowns this fall.

With Rosa anchoring a defense with a team-high 92 tackles from his safety position this fall, the Chargers have allowed just 10 points in two postseason games.

“He (Rosa) comes down and makes a lot of plays from the free safety position,” Carnazzo said. “He’s very active on defense and, obviously, a very good running back.”

CCS DIII football finals: Carmel captures first section title in 15 years

SALINAS — For a group of players that were diving headfirst last week into the end zone after the game in the rain — and embracing the coveted ‘Shoe’ trophy three weeks earlier, a celebration for the ages of an even rarer achievement apparently is on hold.

No one took Friday’s first Central Coast Section football title in 15 years for granted at Carmel High. There’s just this feeling that the ride isn’t over.

“No sir, we still have more work to do,” senior receiver Simeon Brown said. “We’ll enjoy this right now. We have worked so hard for this. It’s sinking in. At the same time, we need to keep that focus and get back to work on Monday.”

The top-seeded Padres are in uncharted waters as the program is headed to the State Northern California playoffs after their 62-35 win over Aptos in the CCS Division III finals at Rabobank.

The only team remaining in the CCS that’s still undefeated at 13-0, Carmel will be seeded Sunday into the State Northern Regional playoffs based on enrollment, likely ticketed for Division 4A or 4AA, with the hope of hosting the game.

For the first time in the nearly 80-year history of the Padres football program, Carmel is 13-0, surpassing the school record of 12 wins, set on four other occasions in the last 15 years.

“This hasn’t happened in Carmel,” said tailback Ashton Rees, in speaking about the win total and earning a spot in the Northern California playoffs. “We’re going to try and take this as far as we can. This is what happens when you’re a family.”

The Padres last CCS title came 15 years ago in head coach Golden Anderson’s first season, when they went 12-0 in beating Menlo 56-35 in the Division IV title game — but were not extended an invitation to the Northern California playoffs.

“It’s pretty overwhelming,” Anderson said. “I appreciate it a lot more than I did 15 years ago. We just thought this is how it goes. You give yourself to much credit. You quickly realize how hard this is to do.”

Anderson has taken Carmel to the section title game five times, having dropped the last three. This was his first return to the finals since 2018. Last year it was knocked out in the Division II quarterfinals by eventual state champion Soquel.

“I get what it’s like to be here,” Anderson said. “If we didn’t win, you’re bummed. But I am back next year. These seniors aren’t. We take a lot of grief. A lot of people hate on us. These kids don’t care what other people think. But they care about each other.”

Having come into the postseason averaging over 45 points a game in the regular season, the Padres offense was an inferno in three playoff games, averaging just under 53 points a game.

The 62 points tied the school record for a playoff game, matching that of the total it produced in 2018 in a win over Saratoga in the quarterfinals.

“We fell short last year in the first round,” Rees said. “We came back with the same group of guys, determined. “The ‘Shoe’ was our first goal. This is special, to have this championship in the books.”

For the second straight week, the Padres defense, anchored by linebackers Jeremiah Robinson and Hiroki Cole, rose to the occasion in the second half, forcing three turnovers while holding Aptos to seven points — that coming late in the game when Anderson had already taken his head set off.

As a team, Carmel induced five turnovers in the game — with four of them resulting in touchdowns for the offense, essentially the difference in the game.

The No. 7 seeded Mariners, who missed the playoffs last year, came into the game averaging 48 points in the postseason, having knocked off No. 2 seed Willow Glen and No. 3 seed Palo Alto to return to their title game since 2018.

“We were too busy trying to stripe the ball in the first half,” Anderson said. “We weren’t tackling anyone. We weathered the storm. We came out in the second half like we’ve previously done and handled our business.”

Anderson could have been speaking about last week’s semifinal meeting with Hollister when the defense held them scoreless over the final 24 minutes in a 40-21 win. Or three weeks earlier when Carmel held Pacific Grove to one touchdown in the second half.

“We’ve been here before, especially in our last four games,” said Anderson, in reference to the defense dictating the tempo with its tenacious effort. “The defense rose up in the second half.”

Rees, who has put his name out there as arguably the best all-around player in the county, put together another 100 plus yard rushing effort with three touchdowns, while catching six passes for 82 yards and intercepting a pass on defense.

The multi-sport standout forced Aptos to respect the Padres running game, which in turn fueled a passing attack that saw Hudson Rutherford throw four more touchdowns, two to Brown and one apiece to Matt Maxon and Brooklyn Ashe.

In three postseason games, Rutherford has tossed 13 touchdown passes, while throwing for nearly 1,000 yards, engineering an offense that didn’t punt once in the game.

“I’m so proud of our quarterback,” Anderson said. “The one interception was a poor call on my part. He made the throws when he had too. When we get in the moment, it’s like an avalanche of emotion.”

Anderson was speaking about an offensive run, where Carmel outscored the Mariners 28-0 in the second half to turn a game in doubt into a route.

“It didn’t feel like it was trending that way,” Anderson said. “We got that huge fourth down conversion that resulted in a touchdown and then the defense got a stop. Those were two big moments. We’ve come a long ways since 2020.”

While Carmel has reached the postseason in 12 of Anderson’s 15 years, it missed the playoffs in 2021 and 2022, going a combined 8-10 — the only two non-winning seasons in his tenure.

Dating back to the final two games of the 2022 season, the Padres have gone 27-1, with the one setback coming last year in the playoffs to Soquel.

Rather than kick a field goal and make it a two score difference to open the second half, Anderson elected to go for it on fourth-and-seven, where Rutherford found Maxon at the 7-yard line, and the Stanford bound pitcher did the rest, finding the end zone.

As for rising to the occasion on the sections biggest stage, Ashe put together a career night for the Padres with nine catches for 148 yards, while Brown turned two of his three catches into touchdowns, while tossing a 35-yard scoring strike to Ashe.

“It’s not sinking in,” said a soak and wet Anderson, who had two buckets of ice water thrown on him. “I don’t think it is ever going to happen. I’m in fear of everything. But when I saw how calm and relaxed the guys were on the bus, it made me relax.”

Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau flies to Florida to meet with Trump on tariffs threat

By ROB GILLIES, Associated Press

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has flown to Florida to meet with President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago club after Trump threatened to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian products.

A person familiar with the matter said Trudeau will have dinner with Trump. The official was not authorized to speak publicly about the matter and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Canadian Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc accompanied Trudeau on the trip.

Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico if the countries don’t stop what he called the flow of drugs and migrants across southern and northern borders. He said he would impose a 25% tax on all products entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico as one of his first executive orders.

Although Trump once called Trudeau “weak” and “dishonest” during his first term, ties between the two countries have remained among the closest in the world.

Trudeau said earlier Friday that he would resolve the issue by talking To Trump.

“We’re going to work together to meet some of the concerns,” Trudeau told reporters in Prince Edward Island in Atlantic Canada. “But ultimately it is through lots of real constructive conversations with President Trump that I am going to have, that will keep us moving forward on the right track for all Canadians.”

Trudeau said Trump got elected because he promised to bring down the cost of groceries but now he’s talking about adding 25% to the cost of all kinds of products including potatoes from Prince Edward Island.

“It is important to understand that Donald Trump, when he makes statements like that, he plans on carrying them out. There’s no question about it,” Trudeau said.

“Our responsibility is to point out that he would not just be harming Canadians, who work so well with the United States, but he would actually be raising prices for Americans citizens as well and hurting American industry and business,” he added.

Those tariffs could essentially blow up the North American trade pact that Trump’s team negotiated during his initial term. Trudeau noted they were able to successfully re-negotiate the deal, which he calls a “win win” for both countries.

“We can work together as we did previously,” Trudeau said.

Trump made the tariff threat Monday while railing against an influx of illegal migrants, even though the numbers at the Canadian border pale in comparison to the southern border.

The U.S. Border Patrol made 56,530 arrests at the Mexican border in October alone — and 23,721 arrests at the Canadian one between October 2023 and September 2024.

Trump also railed about fentanyl from Mexico and Canada, even though seizures from the Canadian border are few in comparison to the Mexican border. U.S. customs agents seized 43 pounds of fentanyl at the Canadian border last fiscal year, compared with 21,100 pounds at the Mexican border.

Canadian officials say lumping Canada in with Mexico is unfair but say they are ready to make new investments in border security.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Thursday she is confident that a tariff war with the United States will be averted. Trump posted on social media that he had spoken with her and she had agreed to stop unauthorized migration across the border into the United States.

When Trump imposed higher tariffs during his first term in office, other countries responded with retaliatory tariffs of their own. Canada, for instance, announced billions of new duties in 2018 against the U.S. in a tit-for-tat response to new taxes on Canadian steel and aluminum.

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Canada is already examining possible retaliatory tariffs on certain items from the U.S. should Trump follow through on his threat to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian products, a senior official told The Associated Press this week.

A government official said Canada is preparing for every eventuality and has started thinking about what items to target with tariffs in retaliation. The official stressed no decision has been made. The person spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly.

Canada is the top export destination for 36 U.S. states. Nearly $3.6 billion Canadian (US$2.7 billion) worth of goods and services cross the border each day.

About 60% of U.S. crude oil imports are from Canada, and 85% of U.S. electricity imports are from Canada.

Canada is also the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum and uranium to the U.S. and has 34 critical minerals and metals that the Pentagon is eager for and investing in for national security.

Canada is one of the most trade-dependent countries in the world, and 77% of Canada’s exports go to the U.S.

“Canada has reason to fear because Trump is impulsive, often influenced by the last thing he sees on Fox News,” said Nelson Wiseman, professor emeritus at the University of Toronto. “He can leverage that by catering to what he thinks will sound and look good to the public rather than to what happens or will happen.”

Gillies reported from Toronto.

Cortez-Menjivar making the most of opportunities on the football field at Idaho

The explosiveness of Emmerson Cortez-Menjivar has been on display this fall at the University of Idaho, as the receiver has turned 10 catches into four touchdowns.

The former Salinas High multi-sport standout has caught at least one pass in six of the 10 games the redshirt freshman has played in this year, including a college career high 41-yard touchdown catch last week.

The Vandals have attempted to get the fleet Cortez-Menjivar more touches, as he has carried the ball at least once on jet sweeps in eight games this season, rushing for 84 yards. He’s also returned two kickoffs this fall.

A state track and field meet participant in the triple jump as a junior at Salinas High, Cortez-Menjivar caught 48 passes for 900 yards in 2022 for the Cowboys and led the team in interceptions with five in earning a spot on The Herald’s all-county defensive team.

A teammate of Cortez-Menjivar is former Monterey defensive back Isiah Bivins, who is being redshirted.

Horoscopes Nov. 29, 2024: Howie Mandel, you are overdue for a change

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Anna Faris, 48; Don Cheadle, 60; Andrew McCarthy, 62; Howie Mandel, 69.

Happy Birthday: Highlight preparation, research and communication, and success will come your way. Be willing to put in the time and effort and explore possibilities based on innovative ideas. You are overdue for a change, but it must be well thought out and within your budget. Listen to your heart and intuition before trusting someone dishing out hearsay. Create opportunities instead of waiting for an offer. Your numbers are 9, 17, 21, 24, 33, 40, 47.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Take care of matters that concern you quickly and intelligently. Stick to the basics and facts, and honor the promises you make. Invest more time and money into self-improvement and raising your profile. Additional qualifications will differentiate you from rivals. Confidence will carry you to the winner’s circle. 3 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): When boredom kicks in, it’s up to you to shake things up and try something new and exciting. Motivation to set yourself up for a position you yearn for coupled with a trendy new look will offer feedback that motivates you to fine-tune your schedule and encourages a positive impact. 3 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Explore the possibilities, but refrain from letting anyone talk you into donating or supporting their agenda when paying attention to your own goals is your optimal choice. Your infectious enthusiasm will attract those who want to harness and take advantage of what you offer. Protect your rights and do your own thing. 3 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Shine brightly, manufacture a cheerful disposition and delve into a creative process that allows you to show off your skills, talents and values positively. Put on a show that depicts joy and hope for a brighter future. Romance is on the rise, and social events are favored. 5 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Adjust your routine to fine-tune your body. Fitness and a proper diet will make a difference in how you look and feel. Networking will allow you to introduce yourself and showcase what you are capable of. Stick to the script to avoid misinformation. An opportunity is apparent. 2 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Review and reset your goals. Refuse to let anyone mislead you, tempt you to do something costly or put you in a vulnerable position. It’s okay to say no and to walk away from toxic situations. Believe and trust in yourself, not someone trying to manipulate you. 4 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Uncertainty regarding work or how you earn your living will surface if you feel technology is taking over and jeopardizing your position. Show confidence when presenting or discussing what you can bring to the table. Leave nothing to chance or allow anyone to outmaneuver you. Network vigorously. Protect your home and physical well-being. 3 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Sign up only for what you can handle. Promising more than you can deliver will tax your energy and leave you falling short of your goal. A strategic approach regarding your plans will help those you approach to see the value in what you are trying to achieve. 3 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Refuse to let what others say or do bother you. Concentrate on what’s important to you and stick to your schedule. Oversee expenses, investments and personal paperwork. Implement physical fitness and preventative medical enhancements into your daily routine. Self-improvement and financial gain are within reach. 3 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Survey your surroundings to ensure you are heading in the best direction. Refrain from starting something you can’t finish. Put your heart and soul into what you enjoy doing most, and you’ll attract someone who can help you further your agenda. Love and romance are on the rise. 4 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Sit tight and let the dust settle. Trying to change something or someone prematurely will leave you reeling from exhaustion. Build opportunities that suit your needs and aren’t dependent on someone else’s faulty ideas. Keep your emotions at arm’s length when making decisions. Focus on home improvement and job opportunities. 2 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Set high standards and bypass anyone holding you back. Talks and offers require fact-checking before you validate the information. Keep your money secure and avoid investments that benefit others more than you. Helping others physically, not financially, is favored. Romance is in the stars. 5 stars

Birthday Baby: You are playful, ambitious and lucky. You are adaptable and expressive.

1 star: Avoid conflicts; work behind the scenes. 2 stars: You can accomplish, but don’t rely on others. 3 stars: Focus and you’ll reach your goals. 4 stars: Aim high; start new projects. 5 stars: Nothing can stop you; go for gold.

Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.

49ers practice report: What’s latest with Brock Purdy before Bills game?

Brock Purdy remained limited in a Thanksgiving Day practice, keeping his status in doubt for the 49ers’ game Sunday at Buffalo.

Purdy missed last Sunday’s 38-10 loss at Green Bay because of a shoulder injury that’s impaired his throwing ability since the previous game’s loss to Seattle.

Brandon Allen started in place of Purdy for the 49ers (5-6) in the lopsided loss at Lambeau Field. The Bills (9-2) took a six-game win streak into their bye last weekend.

Also not practicing Thursday were defensive end Nick Bosa (oblique, hip), left tackle Trent Williams (ankle), guard Aaron Banks (concussion), cornerback Deommdore Lenoir (knee), defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (concussion) and linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles.

Thursday’s practice was held without media access so there was no indication what level of workload Purdy was cleared to attempt.Related ArticlesSan Francisco 49ers | NBC honors John Madden on Thanksgiving by taking the original Madden Cruiser on one last trip San Francisco 49ers | 49ers await ‘psycho’ Christian McCaffrey’s return to form with Bills up next San Francisco 49ers | 49ers’ Fred Warner reveals he’s been playing with ankle fracture; Brock Purdy returns to field today San Francisco 49ers | The 49ers are a mess. But they're Kyle Shanahan's mess to fix San Francisco 49ers | The 49ers were the toast of the NFC a year ago. Now they’re struggling for survival

Coach Kyle Shanahan said that Purdy, after a weekend of rest and rehabilitation with the 49ers in Green Bay, resumed throwing Monday without pain. He only attempted two short tosses at the start of Wednesday’s warmups, then worked on footwork and handoff drills while the 49ers’ other three quarterbacks threw to receivers in individual drills before media access ended.

Running back Christian McCaffrey was a full participant after given Wednesday off to rest.

Wide receiver Chris Conley was added to the injury report with a knee injury that limited him Thursday. Also limited were linebacker Dre Greenlaw (Achilles), defensive tackle Kevin Givens (groin), and, guard Dominick Puni (shoulder).

Cornerback Charvarius Ward was a full participant for a second straight day as he works on coming back after a three-game bereavement leave. Return specialist Jacob Cowing also practiced in full, after missing last game with concussion symptoms.

In Buffalo, tight end Dalton Kincaid (knee) missed his second straight practice. Offensive tackle Spencer Brown (ankle) was a full participant after being limited Wednesday. Wide receiver Keon Coleman (wrist) remained limited.

Hunter, Byrne college football bowl bound for Cal

Nyziah Hunter and J.T. Byrne will be casted into the spotlight along with the rest of the Cal football team after it qualified for a bowl game after beating Stanford last week.

Hunter had four catches for 61 yards in the ‘Big Game’, while Byrne saw action on special teams and when Cal went to multiple tight end formations.

A Salinas High graduate, Hunter has caught 35 passes this fall as a redshirt freshman for just under 500 yards and a team high five touchdowns for Bears.

Hunter, who holds the Salinas High school record in the 100 meters, is eighth in the ACC in touchdown catches and No. 24 in receiving yards.

For Byrne, the Herald’s Athlete of the Year in 2021 and Player of the Year in basketball in 2020, this will be his fourth straight bowl game appearance, having appeared in two at Oregon State before transferring to Cal in 2023.

Hunter collected 58 catches for over 1,000 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior at Salinas in 2022, while Byrne caught 48 passes as a junior at Carmel in 2020, while throwing for 580 yards, accounting for 17 touchdowns.