The 49ers hold dropping offensive linemen however are getting reinforcements to an already dominant protection.
Left deal with Colton McKivitz, who was changing the injured Trent Williams, was misplaced to an MCL pressure in Monday evening’s 24-9 win over the Los Angeles Rams at Levi’s Stadium. The harm will hold McKivitz out a number of weeks. Williams is predicted to be out three extra video games and perhaps extra with a excessive ankle sprain.
In the meantime, the 49ers anticipate free security Jimmie Ward and cornerback Jason Verrett to return to apply Wednesday after opening the season on injured reserve. It’s conceivable neither will probably be activated for Sunday’s street recreation towards the Carolina Panthers, because the 49ers have a three-week window to make that decision.
When wholesome, Ward and Verrett add much more expertise to a unit that has been the speak of the NFL by way of 4 video games.
McKivitz departed after 32 snaps, giving method to Jaylon Moore, who performed the ultimate 18. His harm was described by coach Kyle Shanahan Tuesday as being much like the MCL sprains to operating again Elijah Mitchell and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair. Each gamers went on injured reserve and may very well be out so long as eight weeks.
The 49ers may additionally transfer veteran Dan Brunskill to left deal with. Brunskill performed 21 snaps towards the Rams at proper guard instead of rookie Spencer Burford, which was a part of the plan due to Brunskill’s previous success towards Aaron Donald.
“We’ll see how this week performs out,” Shanahan mentioned in a Tuesday convention name with native media. “More than likely it will be Jaylon Moore however we all know Dan is at all times an choice.”
Regardless of the upheaval up entrance, the 49ers stored Donald and the Rams’ entrance seven comparatively underneath management every week after a subpar efficiency in an 11-10 loss to Denver.
“I used to be actual impressed with them, simply as an entire group,” Shanahan mentioned. “I assumed we made a lot fewer errors than the week earlier than and there have been much more challenges with the psychological a part of the sport. I assumed they have been nice at choosing issues up and so they additionally gave Jimmy (Garoppolo) lots of time after we wanted it.”
Defensively, the 49ers excelled on all three ranges and went completely with two linebackers, three cornerbacks and two safeties towards a Rams offense and quarterback Matthew Stafford intent on spreading them out and getting the ball to prolific broad receiver Cooper Kupp.
Outdoors corners Mooney Ward and Emmanuel Moseley performed all 74 snaps, as did slot nook Deommodore Lenoir and safeties Talanoa Hufanga and Tashaun Gipson. Linebackers Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw additionally performed each snap, whereas the defensive position was rotated to maintain gamers recent.
Shanahan mentioned the 49ers have been ready to sub in a 3rd linebacker if essential based mostly on personnel however figured the Rams would do precisely what they did. The 49ers received stress from the defensive position to the tune of six sacks (plus a further one by Lenoir) but in addition held up in protection when essential.
Kupp caught 14 passes for 122 yards with a protracted of 18 because the Rams struggled to get the ball downfield.
“All areas had their alternatives,” Shanahan mentioned. “Simply distributing it all through the group the place everybody had the chance to assist the others, it was fairly cool to look at.”
Nick Bosa in a holding sample
Nick Bosa has six sacks in 4 video games regardless of drawing consideration from additional blockers who haven’t been shy about wrapping their arms round him.
When a reporter famous the obvious missed holding calls and requested if the 49ers have been in touch with the league workplace about it, Shanahan answered within the affirmative.
“I couldn’t agree with you extra,” Shanahan mentioned. “It’s one thing I’ve seen lots of since he’s been right here . . . we flip in every little thing each week. Typically they agree, generally they don’t. It’s form of the established order with that, and also you simply hope it improves.”
Hufanga’s success — the Gipson issue
Hufanga is turning into one of many most mentioned gamers within the NFL, particularly after his 52-yard interception return towards Stafford Monday evening on a nationwide stage.
It will get fascinating when Ward returns to the 53-man roster from a hamstring pressure. The 32-year-old Gipson, signed when Ward was injured, has dropped two potential interceptions however demonstrated he has loads left and permits Hufanga to be at his greatest.
Ryan Clark, the ESPN analyst who performed eight years alongside Troy Polamalu, likened Gipson’s position to his personal when he was the free security and the longer term Corridor of Famer was a powerful security.
“Talanoa has somebody like Gip on the different security, a veteran man who understands it’s not his job to be a star, however to do his job at a excessive degree, give his group one other blade of grass to defend, and permit Talanoa to exit and make performs, be particular with the alternatives that he has,” Clark mentioned in a cellphone interview Friday.
Shanahan first met Gipson when he was offensive coordinator in Cleveland and Gipson was a Browns security.
“That was eight years in the past, so he’s gotten much more reps since then,” Shanahan mentioned. “When you may have vet like that who’s been round, and you've got somebody like Huf who at all times needs to be taught, is at all times speaking ball, at all times looking for an edge on one thing, I feel these two guys get pleasure from speaking to one another.”
Shanahan lauded Hufanga’s “deliberate” nature.
“The extra depth and focus you'll be able to have in something is what permits individuals to be nice and he’s a kind of guys who’s elite in that space,” Shanahan mentioned.
NOTABLE
— Defensive finish Javon Kinlaw pressed the workers to play and had an on-field exercise earlier than the sport, however the medical workers thought higher of it and stored him out with a sore knee.
— Defensive deal with Arik Armstead battling foot (plantar fasciitis) and ankle points, left after 30 snaps and didn't return. Armstead mentioned afterward it was a “lingering” situation. Shanahan mentioned Armstead was being checked out Tuesday.
— Extensive receiver Jauan Jennings has a foot harm and was listed by Shanahan as “everyday.”
— Extensive receiver Willie Snead, promoted from the apply squad to the energetic roster Monday, was launched.