SANTA CLARA — The 49ers formally started the “no excuses” a part of the schedule Monday.
Presumably refreshed from their bye week, the 49ers received some gamers again for a brief exercise earlier than taking one other day without work after which starting preparations in earnest Wednesday to host the Los Angeles Chargers at Levi’s Stadium.
Throughout an ultra-brief media viewing window, large receiver Deebo Samuel (hamstring) was on the sector together with fullback Kyle Juszczyk (finger) after each missed a 31-14 Week 8 win over the Los Angeles Rams. So was large receiver Jauan Jennings (hamstring) and cornerback Jason Verrett (knee).
Three 49ers got here off injured reserve and have been working towards — working again Elijah Mitchell (knee), linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (knee) and lineman Colton McKivitz (knee). All may rejoin the roster inside the subsequent three weeks as soon as deemed able to play.
Amongst those that weren’t on the sector through the media window are defensive deal with Arik Armstead (ft), linebacker Dre Greenlaw (calf) and defensive deal with Javon Kinlaw (knee).
The 49ers weren't obligated to concern an harm report and coach Kyle Shanahan doesn’t communicate with the media till Wednesday.
“Just a bit shakeout, a bonus observe,” heart Jake Brendel mentioned. “Simply getting again to soccer actions, stuff like that. It wasn’t an project verify or something. Simply ensuring all people’s within the mindset of soccer earlier than we get going.”
And so begins a stretch run with a 4-4 file, trailing the Seattle Seahawks (6-3) for first place within the NFC West.
The again 9 carries with it nice expectations after an injury-filled and wildly inconsistent first eight video games the place the 49ers both regarded like world-beaters or also-rans, relying on the week.
The excellent news included wins over Seattle, the Rams (twice) and Carolina by a mean of 18.5 factors per recreation. The dangerous have been unpleasant defeats in opposition to Chicago, Denver, Atlanta and Kansas Metropolis by a mean of 13.8.
Whereas nobody on the 49ers needs to be related to the time period “excuses,” all of their losses carried with them a rationale utilized by dwelling followers, the media and in some circumstances gamers and coaches who couldn’t assist however invoke the accidents, climate and occasional dangerous luck that performed an element.
For example:
— The 49ers misplaced 19-10 to Chicago as a result of Trey Lance was enjoying in his first recreation and the opener was performed in a second half monsoon.
— The 49ers misplaced to Denver 11-10 as a result of Jimmy Garoppolo, in his first full week of observe, was off his recreation to the purpose the place he stepped out of the again of the tip zone to give up the profitable factors.
— The 49ers misplaced to Atlanta 28-14 as a result of their protection was lacking so many key items (Nick Bosa, Al-Shaair, Armstead, Jimmie Ward and Emmanuel Moseley didn’t play and Charvarius Ward left early with a groin pressure).
— The 49ers misplaced to Kansas Metropolis 44-23 as a result of the opposing quarterback was Patrick Mahomes, and, effectively, that might occur to anyone.
These pratfalls apart, the 49ers have clear crusing to overtaking the Seahawks within the division even when the early defeats make it inconceivable they’d catch Philadelphia for the correct to host the NFC title recreation.
And assuming Samuel’s presence at observe means he’ll face the Chargers, Shanahan will get his first shot at pairing him with working again Christian McCaffrey as 1-2 punch in each the passing and working video games with Mitchell additionally doubtlessly again in motion.
Beginning with the Chargers Sunday evening, six of their final 9 video games are at dwelling, and solely L.A. and the Miami Dolphins (6-3) presently have profitable data. That features Arizona, with the bonus being that the 49ers have a impartial website for the primary recreation in opposition to the Cardinals because it’s in Mexico Metropolis. The 49ers shut the common season at dwelling in opposition to Arizona in Week 18.
The 2 street video games are a Thursday evening date in Seattle and a Week 17 recreation on Jan. 1 in opposition to the Raiders in Las Vegas, by which era if all goes effectively a playoff berth can be secured.
Not that the 49ers can be trying that far forward.
Al-Shaair, who has been out since being injured in Week 3 in opposition to Denver, mentioned nice expectations are the norm the place the 49ers are involved.
“Two out of three years I’ve been right here we’ve been to the NFC championship,” Al-Shaair mentioned. “It’s form of what this crew is about, the historical past, the Tremendous Bowls. Successful is one thing that’s anticipated. We all know for positive now we have the crew to do it, but it surely doesn’t imply something except you set it on tape.”
Brendel, in his first season as a starter, has adopted tunnel imaginative and prescient slightly than indulging in grandiose desires of future conquests.
“I’m extra within the group of 1 week at a time,” Brendel mentioned. “Clearly we’ve received an excellent group of fellows, however now we’ve received to meet that potential, and one of the simplest ways I’ve checked out it's to give attention to the subsequent opponent and deal with enterprise within the right here and now.”
Al-Shaair thinks he’ll play vs. Chargers
Gamers aren’t at all times the very best sources on the subject of accidents, however Al-Shaair mentioned he expects to play Sunday in opposition to the Chargers.
Injured in Week 4, Shanahan has described Al-Shaair as being two weeks behind Mitchell in that each had MCL strains. Mitchell had his in Week 1.
“I’ve by no means not performed soccer for this lengthy,” Al-Shaair mentioned. “It’s been a very long time.”
In opposition to the Rams, the 49ers have been with out each Al-Shaair and Greenlaw, with core particular groups participant Oren Burks enjoying each snap on protection together with starter Fred Warner.
Al-Shaair described getting back from the bye week as “like the primary day of college whenever you get again from summer time break. Everyone’s excited. I feel all people’s excited to be again in soccer.”
NOTABLE
— Brendel, who changed Alex Mack because the beginning heart, has taken each snap by way of eight video games and has been inspired by his progress.
“Clearly there are issues to right to verify I’m the very best heart that my guards and tackles deserve,” Brendel mentioned. “It’s a dream come true so I’ve received to make the very best of it.”
— The 49ers signed veteran large receiver Tajae Sharpe to the observe squad and launched tight finish Troy Fumagalli.