NEW ORLEANS – Open with back-to-back road wins, then finish deep in the playoffs, maybe even the Super Bowl. That is the 49ers’ script for odd-numbered years, or so it has played out in 2019, ’21 and ’23.

That history surely will spark boundless optimism Sunday if the 49ers beat the host Saints to follow up a season-opening comeback win in Seattle.

A harsh reality check, however, is that they’ll burrow into the Superdome without quarterback Brock Purdy and tight end George Kittle, who sustained injuries in the Week 1 win and could be sidelined into next month.

Such is life in the NFL, where injuries wreak havoc, perhaps even more so with the 49ers. Ironically, the 49ers had to cancel a joint practice in last year’s training camp with the Saints because of injury attrition.

The Saints a

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