Tag: azeez al-shaair

The great, good, and bad performances from the SF 49ers 26-23 Week 17 loss

The San Francisco 49ers lost to the Seattle Seahawks 26-23 in their final game of the season. However, plenty had good performances.

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In their final game of the season, the San Francisco 49ers once again showed exactly why they deserved to be preseason favorites, but ultimately, why when the playoffs start next week, they will be back home watching. A team decimated by injuries has missed many of their most important players on each side of the ball for multiple games.

On Sunday, against the 11-4 Seattle Seahawks, the 49ers were without at least five starters on each side of the ball. Still, their defense played inspired and shutdown Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson for three quarters. Head coach Kyle Shanahan had a solid play-calling day, with open receivers throughout, but third-string quarterback C.J. Beathard failed to make the right reads on multiple occasions.

By the fourth quarter, Wilson would not be contained for much longer. Aided by a Beathard fumble, the Seahawks scored three touchdowns in the final quarter and ultimately finished on the better side of the 26-23 score. Football is not the sport for moral victories, but the 49ers played like they were as good as the NFC West champ even without some of their best players.

49ers vs. Ravens: 3 things that stood out in the 2nd quarter

The 49ers have done a great job rolling with Baltimore’s punches but haven’t quite figured out how to contain Lamar Jackson. 

The 49ers have done a great job rolling with Baltimore’s punches, but haven’t quite figured out how to contain Lamar Jackson. Raheem Mostert has been huge for the offense with six carries for 89 yards and a 40-yard touchdown run.

Robbie Gould missed a 51-yard field goal as time expired in the half and Baltimore will take a 17-14 lead into halftime. Here’s what stood out in the second quarter:

Third-down mistake leads to Baltimore touchdown

Azeez Al-Shaair made a mistake that led to another Baltimore touchdown. It was the second third-down miscue of the game for San Francisco. On a third-down incompletion that would have given the Ravens a tough fourth-down decision, Al-Shaair was called for a roughing the passer that reset the downs for Baltimore and gave them 15 free yards. Baltimore extended their lead to 14-7 four plays later. The 49ers have to cut down on the third-down miscues if they’re going to earn the win in Baltimore.

George Kittle the blocking tight end

What makes Kittle so valuable to the 49ers offense is not just his abilities as a pass-catcher, but his ability to open huge holes in the run game. Kittle has zero receptions on one target, but had a big seal block to open up a hole for Raheem Mostert en route to a 40-yard touchdown to tie the game at 14. The Ravens have done what they can to take Kittle away from the passing game, but his biggest play thus far has come as a blocker.

Sherman with a big tackle on Jackson

Baltimore faced a third-and-6 when Jackson got loose once again and tried to rush for a first down. Richard Sherman recognized the run play quickly and broke towards Jackson to force him out of bounds. Baltimore was able to convert the fourth down, but the tackle by Sherman was big in the moment. His physicality on the edge as a run stopper may play a key role later in the contest.

No tough decisions in 49ers inactives vs. Cardinals

The 49ers have so many injuries that they didn’t have any choices with their list of inactives.

The 49ers coaching staff didn’t have any tough decisions when it came to their seven inactive players Sunday.

Here’s the list officially submitted by the team prior to Sunday’s game:

OT Joe Staley
QB CJ Beathard
TE George Kittle
RB Matt Breida
K Robbie Gould
LB Azeez Al-Shaair
DT DJ Jones

Really the list was all but confirmed late Saturday morning when the 49ers announced Al-Shaair was downgraded to ‘out’ with a concussion. He joined Staley and Jones as the three players officially out. With Beathard a regular inactive as the third quarterback, there were only three inactive spots left.

Those three spots were the only question marks, and they were officially filled Sunday with Kittle, Breida and Gould – the three players the 49ers labeled ‘doubtful’ leading up to the game.

One silver lining is the absence of Ahkello Witherspoon’s name on the inactive list for the first time since Week 5. He sprained his foot in the Week 3 win over the Steelers and hasn’t played since. Witherspoon was supposed to be back Monday vs. Seattle, but had a setback and was forced to delay his return date.

 

Azeez Al-Shaair officially ruled out vs. Cardinals

The 49ers may already have their seven inactive players for Sunday vs. the Cardinals.

The already banged up 49ers got more bad injury news Saturday when linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair was unable to clear concussion protocol. By not doing so Saturday, he’s officially been ruled out for Sunday’s matchup with the Arizona Cardinals.

Al-Shaair left Monday night’s game in the second half to be evaluated for a concussion, and was later placed into concussion protocol. One of the disadvantages of playing Monday night is the short week to recoup from injuries and clear concussion protocol.

San Francisco’s linebacker depth was already a little thin following Kwon Alexander’s season-ending pec tear. Elijah Lee was behind Al-Shaair on the depth chart and will likely slide into a Sam linebacker role in base, while contributing on special teams.

Al-Shaair, an undrafted rookie, has played about 59 percent of the team’s special teams snaps this season as one of their core players on that unit. He’s also logged 41 defensive snaps, most of them coming the last three weeks with a blowout win over Carolina, then two games with Alexander hurt.

San Francisco has already ruled out DJ Jones and Joe Staley. With George Kittle, Robbie Gould and Matt Breida all doubtful, Al-Shaair ruled out, and CJ Beathard as the third quarterback, we likely have all seven of the 49ers’ required inactive players for Sunday. If anyone else gets hurt, they’ll have to operate with fewer than the 46-player maximum.