Jett Modkins, a special teams assistant for the Detroit Lions since 2021, completed an interview Sunday with the 49ers to be their special teams coordinator.

Modkins, 39, has been the assistant to Detroit special teams coordinator for the past four seasons. The 49ers fired special teams coordinator Brian Schneider after three seasons last week.

Coach Kyle Shanahan said moving deposed defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen to the special teams opening was a possibility if Sorensen was amenable. There’s also the issue of interviewing a minority candidate for the position, of which Modkins qualifies.

Shanahan said last week the plan was to elevate passing game coordinator Klay Kubiak to offensive coordinator. The 49ers made no announcement regarding the hire, and CBS Sports reported the 49ers were required under the Rooney Rule to interview two diverse external candidates.

The 49ers are also in the market for a defensive coordinator and have already interviewed two minority candidates in Robert Saleh, their former defensive coordinator from 2017 through 2021, and DeShea Townsend, who is a defensive backs coach also with the Lions.

— Jerry McDonald

Rams prepare for “home” game in Arizona >> Everything seemed pretty normal for the Los Angeles Rams during Saturday’s practice at their temporary home on a beautiful afternoon in suburban Phoenix.

The music was blaring, coaches shouting, footballs flying and even some palm trees swaying in the background to give it a Southern California vibe.

Running back Kyren Williams said the Rams also had something they haven’t had in a few days: clear minds.

“I felt like I was at peace,” Williams said. “We didn’t really have to worry about anything except for playing ball.”

The Rams are in Tempe, Ariz., this weekend preparing for today’s NFL playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings at the practice facility of their division rival, the Arizona Cardinals. They made their way to the desert on Friday night, escaping from days of devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area.

Now the Rams know their families are safe and their hearts go out to those still affected.

Patriots hire Vrabel >> The New England Patriots have hired Mike Vrabel as their next head coach.

The team announced the hiring Sunday morning.

It comes a week after Patriots owner Robert Kraft fired Jerod Mayo after the team’s season-finale victory over Buffalo to finish 4-13 in his lone season as coach.

Former Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich, former Texans offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton and Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson also interviewed for the job.

But Vrabel, a fan favorite as a plalyer in New England, was the preferred candidate because of his long association with the franchise and coaching success during his six seasons in Tennessee.

Jackson, Henry lead Ravens to win >> Lamar Jackson handed off to Derrick Henry, then slid out to the left as if he still had the ball. A couple linebackers shifted into Jackson’s path, leaving the middle open for Henry to run through for a 44-yard touchdown.

That’s the quandary Jackson and Henry create for defensive players. First, they have to figure out who has the ball — and if enough people are out of position, either Baltimore star can make you pay.

Jackson threw for two touchdowns in a flawless first half, Henry scored twice while leading Baltimore’s devastating running game, and the Ravens beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 28-14 on Saturday night in Baltimore.

Henry ran for 186 yards.