Tag: 49ers depth chart

49ers need more from biggest offseason free agent signing

The spotlight is officially on the #49ers’ biggest offseason addition.

The San Francisco 49ers had a glaring problem on defense. That problem was exacerbated Sunday when star defensive tackle Javon Hargrave suffered a partially torn triceps that will require season-ending surgery.

Rushing the passer is something the 49ers have established as a foundation of their defensive success. It’s why they spent the No. 2 overall pick on defensive end Nick Bosa in 2019, and it’s why they’ve utilized a bevy of resources along the defensive line throughout the tenures of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch.

That part of their defense is off to a slow start in 2024, and now improvement is a steep uphill climb without Hargrave.

One way they can improve is by simply getting more out of defensive end Leonard Floyd who signed a two-year, $20 million contract with $12 million guaranteed this offseason.

Floyd had a sack and four pressures in Week 1 according to Pro Football Focus. He’s been silent since then. PFF has him down for just one pressure, no sacks and no quarterback hits over the last two games.

That’s not going to cut it for a player some deemed as the best edge rusher the 49ers have had opposite Bosa.

While Floyd has gotten off to a slow start, there’s reason for optimism that he’ll bounce back. Throughout his career there are a slew of two and three game stretches where he’ll be ostensibly absent from the pass rush before breaking out with big numbers.

The problem for the 49ers is they can’t afford for Floyd to go missing. They’re relying heavily on him to provide pressure off the edge across from Bosa. That reliance only increases with Hargrave’s injury.

A consistently good Floyd who is racking up 9.5 or 10.0 sacks would be a tremendous boost for the 49ers’ struggling defense. The sooner he breaks out of his slump and turns into that player, the better.

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49ers head coach confident team can replace All-Pro TE vs. Rams

George Kittle is doubtful vs. the Rams, which opens the door for a backup TE to carve out a bigger role.

One of the slew of injury problems facing the 49ers in Week 3 wasn’t one they anticipated having entering the week.

Tight end George Kittle got through Week 2 without issue, and was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice leading up to a Week 3 showdown with the Los Angeles Rams.

Then he started experiencing hamstring soreness after Wednesday’s session, leading him to miss Thursday and Friday before receiving a ‘doubtful’ designation for Sunday’s contest.

While losing an All-Pro TE isn’t optimal, head coach Kyle Shanahan in a press conference Friday expressed confidence in Kittle’s backup, Eric Saubert.

“I thought he’s done a hell of a job,” Shanahan said. “He’s stepped in well. Kittle was cramping most of the game, so he had to do a lot throughout the Minnesota game. He’s been real consistent since he’s been here. If he’s got to do it all, he’s up for the challenge. He’s shown he can help us in the passing and the run game.”

Saubert played 26 snaps in Minnesota – seven more than he played in the season opener against the New York Jets. That was also the most snaps he’s played in a game since Week 15 of the 2022 season when he was with the Denver Broncos.

Pro Football Focus gave Saubert a 73.2 overall grade for his game in Minnesota, which included two receptions for 26 yards. That was his most productive statistical game since Week 17 of the 2022 campaign.

Ideally the 49ers won’t need to navigate life without Kittle for long. This is a good opportunity for Saubert to step in and potentially carve out a larger role once Kittle is back. If he can produce as a run blocker and prove to be a viable pass-catching threat, we may see San Francisco utilize him more with Kittle once the All-Pro TE returns.

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It may be showtime for 49ers rookie after recent injury news in secondary

Another injury may force a rookie into the 49ers’ starting lineup.

The rash of injuries that have plagued the 49ers’ offense have now trickled over to the defensive side.

In a bit of a surprise, All-Pro cornerback Charvarius Ward was held out of Thursday’s practice because of knee and hamstring injuries. He was a full participant in Wednesday’s session, indicating the pair of injuries are new.

Defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen told reporters in a press conference after Thursday’s practice that Ward has some soreness and that the team is trying to be smart with the veteran CB. However, an absence in the middle of the week typically doesn’t bode well for a player’s chances to play. We’ll get official word on Ward’s status Friday afternoon.

If Ward is unable to go, all signs point to rookie second-round pick Renardo Green getting the start as the 49ers’ nickel corner. Sorensen during his press conference had a glowing review of Green.

“He’s looked great,” Sorensen said. “He continually gets better. So we’ve got total confidence in Renardo. He’s very competitive, he’s always wanting to learn, he is learning. Just feel great about him.”

The 49ers turned to Green in a dime package with four cornerbacks on the field in Week 2 against the Vikings. It marked his first regular season action as a pro. He played just four snaps. Head coach Kyle Shanahan indicated Green may be a part of their defensive plan moving forward following his brief playing time in Minnesota.

If Ward winds up missing Sunday’s game in Los Angeles, Deommodore Lenoir and Isaac Yiadom would likely be the starting outside CBs with Green stepping into the slot in nickel packages.

The 49ers and Rams kick off from SoFi Stadium at 1:25pm Pacific Time on Sunday.

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49ers rookie won’t lose starting job after big mistake vs. Vikings

The 49ers won’t be removing one of their rookies from the starting lineup.

San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Jacob Cowing might have had his ‘welcome to the NFL’ moment during the team’s Week 2 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

Cowing, who won the starting punt returner job out of training camp, muffed a punt in the middle of the third quarter with the 49ers trailing 13-7. Cornerback Isaac Yiadom dove on the ball for the 49ers after a wild scramble, so the fumble by the rookie didn’t come off as a major gaffe.

While the muffed punt isn’t ideal, it wasn’t enough to move head coach Kyle Shanahan off the rookie returner. He told reporters ahead of Wednesday’s practice that the club still has confidence in Cowing.

“No, that’s one muffed punt,” Shanahan said. “Just when it comes to catching stuff, he’s been as natural of a catcher as we’ve had in our eight years here, just in practice, how he’s been in the games. I know that one got away from him, which we can’t have those. But everyone muffs one here and there. You just hope that was the end of it.”

Shanahan’s confidence in Cowing may wind up extending beyond special teams.

The fourth-round pick out of the University of Arizona could be a player the 49ers rely on to pick up some of the slack while wide receiver Deebo Samuel is out with a calf injury. Cowing has yet to make his debut on offense, but that may change with the team dealing with injuries to key contributors on that side of the ball.

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Return of key starter should help some of 49ers defensive woes

Talanoa Hufanga is so back.

The San Francisco 49ers were expecting to get strong safety Talanoa Hufanga back against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 3.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan on Wednesday confirmed in a press conference that Hufanga will get a full practice in to begin the week. He’s on track to suit up Sunday when the 49ers visit the Rams. It will be his first game action since tearing his ACL in Week 11 last season.

Shanahan said the team is excited to get its All-Pro back in the secondary.

“But obviously, you always miss Huf out there,” Shanahan said. “The big play capability, how well he communicates, flying sideline to sideline. We’re going to be pumped. He should get back this week if everything goes right. We’ve missed him.”

Hufanga should help the 49ers clean up a couple of problems that plagued them in a 23-17 loss to the Vikings in Week 2.

Safety George Odum, who stepped in for Hufanga as the starting strong safety during training camp and the preseason, struggled vs. Minnesota. He was beat for a 97-yard touchdown that flipped the game and wound up coming out of the game for rookie Malik Mustapha.

Miscommunications were a pretty significant problem for the 49ers on Sunday as well. They gave up an easy touchdown on a miscommunication, and a key first down on the Vikings’ final scoring drive that looked like a communication breakdown in the secondary.

Getting everyone in the secondary on the same page should help a 49ers defense that is allowing opponents to convert a whopping 59.1 percent of their third downs. San Francisco has two interceptions, but both have come from linebackers. Having another playmaking safety in the back end of the defense should help the 49ers generate some more takeaways as well.

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Backup RB will be star of the show again for 49ers offense vs. Vikings

Jordan Mason might set a new career-high in carries after two games.

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan isn’t going to lay bare his plans for running back usage in Sunday’s matchup with the Minnesota Vikings.

After all, he’s probably not even sure whether he’ll have running back Christian McCaffrey at his disposal. McCaffrey was limited in Wednesday’s practice with his calf and Achilles injuries.

If McCaffrey is out again, we can expect another heavy workload for backup RB Jordan Mason.

Mason took 28 carries in the season opener vs. the New York Jets. That’s the most carries any 49er has had under Shanahan. Mason also needs only 16 rushes on Sunday to set a new career-high in carries for a season. He had his high water mark of 43 as a rookie.

It may not be 28 carries again because the game script could dictate otherwise, but a quote from Shanahan in Wednesday’s press conference indicates he won’t hesitate to lean on Mason.

“When I’ve seen him, he hasn’t mentioned anything,” Shanahan said when asked how Mason held up after getting 28 carries. “The trainers haven’t mentioned anything. That’s what I was kind of explaining in training camp that I thought was so impressive. Having so many guys out and how hard he went each day and the way he is, his body really never changed. He ran so hard in that game and he seems good to go.”

If Shanahan believes Mason is ready to shoulder the load, he’s not going to shy away from using the RB. That’s particularly true given the 49ers’ RB depth behind Mason.

Patrick Taylor had 65 career carries in 34 games across three seasons entering 2024. Rookie Isaac Guerendo hasn’t received a regular season touch.

McCaffrey’s return will limit Mason’s workload, although some division of snaps between them may be necessary to keep McCaffrey healthy. Until No. 23 is back on the field, however, we can expect Mason to be the only RB Shanahan turns to no matter how many carries he’s seen.

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One 49ers backup could be in for career night in season opener vs. Jets

Jordan Mason SZN?

There was nightmare potential for the San Francisco 49ers leading into the first full week of the regular season.

Left tackle Trent Williams was holding out, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk was holding in, and running back Christian McCaffrey was dealing with a calf injury.

Williams and Aiyuk’s contract situations were tumultuous, but it always seemed like those would get resolved in time for both players to suit up in the regular season. McCaffrey’s injury had a little less certainty around it. He was limited the first two days of practice for Week 1, but the running back told reporters he has no doubt he’ll play in the season opener.

While McCaffrey’s availability against the Jets may no longer be much of a question mark, his workload Monday night remains unclear. It wouldn’t be a surprise if his workload is uncharacteristically light given that he’s coming off a calf injury and severely truncated training camp.

If his workload is limited some, it could open the door for running back Jordan Mason to have a career night.

Mason, a third-year former undrafted free agent, will enter the season as the No. 2 RB for the first time. He has only 83 carries in his career and he’s reached double-digit carries only twice. He posted 11 carries for 56 yards as a rookie in a 35-7 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Last season he went for 69 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries in a 42-10 route of the Dallas Cowboys.

Monday should be another opportunity for him to get to double-digit carries, and perhaps even a new career-high.

McCaffrey figures to take a lion’s share of the work. His injury and short camp could compel the 49ers to limit his workload early with some uncharacteristic rests early in the game. If San Francisco has a lead late, they could also turn to Mason as the de facto ‘closer’ to shoulder some of the tougher, between-the-tackles carries while McCaffrey continues his ramp up.

It’s unlikely that Mason plays a major role on the 49ers’ offense as long as McCaffrey is healthy. If the former UDFA is going to have a breakout game this season though, Monday night may be his best opportunity.

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49ers depth chart: DC reveals who 3rd starting cornerback will be

We know now who the 49ers’ 3 starting CBs will be.

The nickel cornerback spot was one of the few starting lineup questions for the San Francisco 49ers heading into training camp.

Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir were both locked in as starters, but the nickel CB job was up for grabs with a handful of contenders. As camp and the preseason churned on, veteran Isaac Yiadom and rookie second-round pick Renardo Green emerged as the top options to earn starting jobs.

Defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen told reporters after Friday’s practice the club has an answer at that spot. Rather than playing coy, Sorensen divulged the 49ers would lean toward the veteran as the third CB.

“Well how we’ve been going has been how it started out, with Ike (Yiadom) and DMo (Lenoir) and Mooney (Ward),” Sorensen said. “And then we’ve been rotating guys through and getting a lot of reps with them as well. But that’s how it’s going right now. And Renardo (Green) rotating in.”

Lenoir and Ward figure to be the two outside corners in the 49ers’ base defense. In the more commonly-used nickel packages, Yiadom will take over an outside spot while Lenoir kicks inside to the slot.

Green worked primarily in the slot during his first training camp. If he rotates in it would likely be in the slot with Lenoir staying outside.

This is in line with how the 49ers approached the third CB job last year. They didn’t have a rookie, but they had veterans Ambry Thomas and Isaiah Oliver.

Thomas would play outside in nickel with Lenoir in the slot. If Oliver was in, he’d play in the slot with Lenoir outside.

Nickel CB was a pretty significant problem for the 49ers last season. Ward and Lenoir were both very good, but their third CB spot was up-and-down all year.

This season they have some options again, but they’ll lean on Yiadom who is coming off his best season as a pro. If he picks up where he left off with the Saints last season and Lenoir continues his ascension toward being a Pro Bowl caliber slot CB, the 49ers will have solved a significant issue in their secondary.

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49ers make unsurprising decision with backup quarterback

The 49ers backup QB decision has been made.

The San Francisco 49ers have finally named Brock Purdy’s backup.

After a battle that lasted throughout training camp and the preseason, head coach Kyle Shanahan announced Brandon Allen will be the No. 2 QB for the 49ers. Josh Dobbs will be the emergency third QB.

Given how the two players looked in camp and the preseason there wasn’t a surefire choice. Both had their ups and downs, and Dobbs managed to work his way into the conversation by quickly picking up the offense and closing the gap between him and Allen, who spent last season with the 49ers.

It’s not a surprise Shanahan went this route with his decision.

If the 49ers don’t have Purdy under center, Shanahan will want to remove as many variables as possible from the offense. Allen can run the offense effectively and deliver throws to the right spots.

Dobbs can do that, but he’s still learning Shanahan’s scheme and his athleticism adds a layer of unknown to his game. He made plays with his legs in the preseason, but he also held onto the ball too long at times and took unnecessary negative plays by trying to extend a play for too long.

It was clear after the preseason that the ceiling was higher with Dobbs, but the floor was higher with Allen. The latter is what matters to the head coach in the event they need to survive a stretch without their starting quarterback.

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Brandon Aiyuk contract could be bad news for one 49ers WR

The 49ers may be able to let go of one of their WRs now that they know Brandon Aiyuk is back.

The San Francisco 49ers and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk ended their long standoff and agreed to a four-year extension that will get the All-Pro back on the field for the first time since the Super Bowl.

Aiyuk’s new contract and his return are undeniably good news for the 49ers. He’s their leading receiver from a season ago, and he’s the most well-rounded WR in their receiving corps. His ability to get open in all three levels of the passing game fundamentally changes the ways San Francisco’s passing attack can work.

His return may not be good news for everyone, though.

San Francisco kept seven wide receivers on its initial 53-man roster: Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, Jauan Jennings, Ricky Pearsall, Jacob Cowing, Chris Conley and Ronnie Bell.

It appeared the seventh WR was there as insurance in the event Aiyuk was either not ready or not signed by the season opener.

Given how training camp and the preseason shook out, the odd man out once Aiyuk is back at full speed and available would be Bell. He had a handful of good practices, but a couple drops and a punt return hiccup defined his preseason performance.

The 49ers may need to open a roster spot soon, and that extra WR would make a logical cut candidate. San Francisco could aim to add to its defensive line depth. They’ll have to clear a roster spot for left tackle Trent Williams, who is holding out for a new deal, if/when they reach an agreement.

Six receivers is probably plenty for the 49ers, which may leave Bell on the outside looking in once the team needs a roster spot.

One thing that could keep Bell around is Pearsall’s lingering shoulder injury. He had hamstring and shoulder issues in camp that sidelined him for most of the preseason practice sessions. The No. 31 overall pick also didn’t play in any preseason games. If the 49ers aren’t confident in where he’s at in his development, Bell could be an asset they need to keep on the roster.

This is ultimately a good problem for the 49ers to have. Aiyuk’s return was their biggest box to check when the offseason started. They’ve now checked that, and they’ll deal with any roster fallout that comes as a result.

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