Tag: Joe Staley

Joe Staley: ‘This is super disappointing’

The 49ers’ left tackle knows getting back to the Super Bowl isn’t a guarantee.

Joe Staley was the only 49er playing in Sunday’s Super Bowl that also played in their Super Bowl loss to the Ravens in 2013.

The 35-year-old finished his 13th season with another Super Bowl loss, and got emotional in his postgame press conference as he talked about falling short of a Lombardi Trophy again.

“I’m sorry, this is super disappointing,” he said via David Lombardi of the Athletic. “This is very hard being in this moment right now. You put your heart and soul and entire life into trying to be a super bowl champion. You get to the end of your career and you realize how rare these opportunities are.”

Staley has been through a lot of highs and a lot of lows for San Francisco, and even contemplated retirement after their abysmal 2016 season, but was rejuvenated by the addition of head coach Kyle Shanahan and a shifting locker room culture in San Francisco.

He signed a two-year extension in the offseason that’ll keep him under contract through the 2021 season.

While the 49ers appear to be trending in the right direction, it’s far from a guarantee Staley will get another shot at a Lombardi Trophy. It’s the one thing missing from a stellar career for the 49ers’ left tackle, who has six Pro Bowl selections.

It’s also not a guarantee Staley returns for the 2020 season. He dealt with a broken fibula, a dislocated finger, and then got a cut on his finger in the Super Bowl that required four stitches.

If Staley does come back though, the 49ers will at least be in contention to be back in the postseason over the next couple seasons if they play their cards right in the offseason.

49ers vs. Seahawks: 3 biggest difference-makers for 49ers offense

The 49ers offense needs big games from players who were quiet in their first meeting with the Seahawks.

The 49ers offense struggled badly in their first matchup with the Seahawks. They were without a couple key players, the offensive line struggled, and Jimmy Garoppolo had his worst game of the year.

Another showing like the one they had in Week 10 could mean a runaway win for the Seahawks. These three players will be big difference-makers for San Francisco in their attempt to avoid another letdown against Seattle:

QB Jimmy Garoppolo

Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Garoppolo was bad against Seattle in their first meeting, and could’ve been worse had the Seahawks defense not dropped a couple interceptions. It wasn’t all his fault, but now he steps into perhaps the most hostile environment in the NFL at CenturyLink Field. We’ve seen Garoppolo play well in the Superdome – another raucous road environment – but how he responds in his first trip to Seattle will be the biggest key for the 49ers’ offense.

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Joe Staley hasn’t given any thought to retiring

Joe Staley hasn’t even considered retiring with the 49ers in position to make a playoff run.

It’s been an up-and-down 13th season for 49ers left tackle Joe Staley. The typically reliable Staley has twice been hit with injuries this season that have limited him to just four games. He’ll set a career-low for games played with seven if he finishes out the season. Still, the adversity hasn’t diminished Staley’s desire to continue playing.

Damon Bruce on 95.7 The Game in San Francisco asked Staley in an interview Thursday how much football the 35-year-old had left in his body. Staley said he’s ready to suit up until the 49ers tell him not to and hadn’t given any thought to retiring.

“I like to think I’ll continue to play football as long as they’ll have me,” Staley said. “And that’s my mindset. I’ve never ever thought about when an end’s gonna be. I’m enjoying this season. I’m enjoying the weekly grind and getting myself back. The challenges of this season have been different than seasons past. I love the adverse situations and you kind of learn a lot about yourself and how you respond and challenge yourself with daily with different goals.”

A broken fibula in Week 2 this year kept Staley out until Week 10. He fractured and dislocated a finger in his return, and that kept him out three more weeks. He made his return from the finger injury just in time for the 49ers’ thrilling 48-46 win over the Saints. Staley said games like that provide additional motivation.

“It’s still incredibly exciting,” he said. “That feeling we had on Sunday (at New Orleans) is nothing that I’ll ever be able to replace in my whole entire life, and that still gets me motivated. That love of the game is still there, burning.”

Staley told Chris Biderman of the Sacramento Bee that he considered retiring after the 49ers went 2-14 in the 2016 season, but Kyle Shanahan’s arrival and the team’s sudden change in direction rekindled Staley’s desire to play.

He’s been rewarded twice this season for staying in a 49ers uniform. The team gave him a two-year extension in June that included $28 million in new money and $17 million guaranteed. He’s now . under contract through the 2021 season when he’ll be 37-years old.

The second reward has come on the field. The 49ers are 11-2 after winning just 12 games combined the previous three seasons. The 11 wins are tied for  third-most by a 49ers team since Staley arrived in 2007.

If he stays healthy and continues playing at a high level, he could get a third reward for his patience – his first Lombardi Trophy.

49ers only have 4 healthy WRs vs. Saints

The 49ers will get their starting LT back, but they’ll be very thin at WR vs. the Saints.

The 49ers will enter their Week 14 game in New Orleans very shorthanded at wide receiver. Both Dante Pettis and Marquise Goodwin have been ruled out against the Saints after getting a ‘questionable’ designation on Friday’s status report.

Pettis is dealing with a knee injury, while Goodwin showed up on the report late with ankle and knee ailments. They’re both among the seven inactive players for the 49ers on Sunday:

TE Levine Toilolo
QB C.J. Beathard
WR Dante Pettis
WR Marquise Goodwin
RB Jeff Wilson
DL Jullian Taylor
SS Jaquiski Tartt

Pettis and Goodwin had seen their roles diminish greatly the last two weeks with the emergence of Deebo Samuel, Emmanuel Sanders and Kendrick Bourne as reliable pass-catching threats. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said after last week’s loss to Baltimore that he wanted to get Goodwin and Pettis more involved down the stretch. That won’t happen Sunday.

The good news for San Francisco is left tackle Joe Staley will make his return to the lineup after dislocating and fracturing a finger in Week 10. Surgery on that finger kept him out of three contests. He’ll suit up and start.

Staley’s first return in Week 10 from a broken fibula didn’t go well, and the 13-year veteran may have pushed himself to come back too quickly. With time off to heal the finger, it stands to reason his leg should be healthier as well.

Here are the Saints inactives:

49ers run game takes center stage vs. Saints

The 49ers run game needs to be at its best Sunday in New Orleans.

The 49ers offense has its work cut out for it Sunday in New Orleans. The Saints, once a dominant offensive juggernaut, now has a terrific defense to compliment an offense that may have taken a step back.

New Orleans’ defensive talent is good enough to match an equally talented 49ers offense. The room for error Sunday on offense is minimal against a Saints defense that’ll take full advantage of miscues.

San Francisco’s offense is at its best when it’s running the ball effectively. Here are the six players the 49ers need playing well to maximize their offensive production:

RB Matt Breida

(Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)

The 49ers have sorely missed Breida’s explosiveness while he’s been out with an ankle injury. He’s missed the last three games, and until Raheem Mostert broke out last week, the rushing attack has suffered greatly from a lack of big-play ability on the ground. Breida has game-changing speed that can turn a short gain into a long touchdown with one missed tackle. He leads the team with 542 rushing yards, and he’s going at 5.0 yards per carry in his third season. Breida may only get 10 or 12 carries, but the 49ers should benefit a lot from having him back.

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Dee Ford returns to practice for 49ers

The 49ers are getting healthier just in time for the biggest game of the season.

The 49ers are getting healthier just in time for a vital four-game stretch that will determine their playoff fate. San Francisco practiced Wednesday in Florida in preparation for their Week 14 game in New Orleans, and got some good injury news from several key players. Perhaps the biggest note from the Wednesday injury report was the return of defensive end Dee Ford, who’s been nursing a hamstring injury that’s forced him out of the last two games.

Ford was a limited participant, along with defensive tackle DJ Jones and cornerback Richard Sherman. Jones and Sherman were both considered day-to-day following injuries sustained in the team’s Week 13 loss in Baltimore. Jones sprained his ankle, and Sherman sprained his knee.

Getting a nearly full slate of starters back in time to take on the NFC’s No. 1-seed would be a nice boost for the 49ers. Their margin for error moving forward is razor thin with a first-round bye hanging in the balance to end the year.

Here’s Wednesday’s full injury report:

Did not participate

WR Dante Pettis (knee)
S Jaquiski Tartt (ribs)
DT Jullian Taylor (elbow)

Limited participation

TE George Kittle (knee, ankle)
OT Joe Staley (finger)
DE Dee Ford (quad, hamstring)
DT D.J. Jones (ankle)
CB Richard Sherman (knee)

Full participation

RB Matt Breida (ankle)
WR Deebo Samuel (shoulder)
WR Emmanuel Sanders (ribs)

49ers optimistic Matt Breida, Joe Staley, Dee Ford can return vs. Saints

The 49ers should be relatively healthy with several key players returning from injury vs. the Saints.

The 49ers’ Week 14 showdown in New Orleans against the Saints could wind up playing a significant role in how the postseason shakes out. A win for San Francisco may be the difference between whether the NFC goes through the Bay Area or New Orleans.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan is optimistic about the team’s health going into that contest. He expects running back Matt Breida, left tackle Joe Staley and defensive end Dee Ford to all return against New Orleans. Shanahan does not anticipate the return of wide receiver Dante Pettis, who injured his knee in practice leading up to the Baltimore game.

“I’m holding out hope on all of them,” Shanahan said. “I’m definitely more optimistic about Breida, Ford and Staley. I would be surprised to get Pettis back. None of them are for sure, though. Hopefully, we’ll be able to get three of the four.”

Breida hurt his ankle in Week 10 against Seattle and the team shut him down after he played on an ankle injury for most of last season. He’s been out the last three games, and missed the contest in Baltimore despite practicing all week.

Staley also returned to practice last week after sustaining a hand injury against the Seahawks. He missed three games after he had surgery to repair a fractured, dislocated finger. That game against Seattle was his first since breaking his fibula in Week 2 vs. the Bengals. He’s played in just three games all season.

Ford missed the last two games against the Packers and Ravens after he injured his hamstring chasing down Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray in their second meeting in Week 11. He hasn’t practiced at all the last two weeks.

Several key 49ers will be day-to-day after getting hurt Sunday. DJ Jones is nursing an ankle sprain. Richard Sherman is dealing with a knee sprain, and Jaquiski Tartt has a fractured rib. Shanahan didn’t offer any word on their potential availability, although we’ll find out more Wednesday when the team has its first practice of the week.

The only player who’ll for sure miss significant time is defensive lineman Jullian Taylor. He hurt ligaments in his elbow and will be out at least two weeks according to Shanahan.

49ers vs. Ravens: 6 players to watch on offense

The 49ers have scored 30-plus points the last two weeks.

The 49ers have scored 30-plus points the last two weeks. It’s their first time eclipsing the 30-point mark in consecutive weeks since the first two weeks of the season. Now they play a game in Baltimore where scoring 30-plus could be a necessity. The Ravens defense has been excellent the past five weeks, allowing 12.4 points per game in that span.

The offense could have their hands full in what’s expected to be a wet game in the rain. Here are the six players to watch on the offense:

TE George Kittle

Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

It’s almost amazing how much better the 49ers’ offense looked against Green Bay compared to the two previous weeks when Kittle was out. The tight end had six receptions for 129 yards and a touchdown in his first game since Halloween. San Francisco will be taking on a high-powered Baltimore offense which means the offense will need to score every chance they get, which should mean plenty of targets for Kittle.

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49ers could get 4 key players back for showdown with Ravens

The 49ers may get healthy just in time for their toughest test of the season.

The 49ers might be as healthy as they’ve been all year when they roll into Baltimore on Sunday for a showdown with MVP frontrunner Lamar Jackson and the Ravens.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan on Monday indicated in his press conference that left tackle Joe Staley, defensive end Dee Ford, running back Matt Breida and kicker Robbie Gould were all progressing well and game-time decisions.

That’s a much better prognosis than last week when it became clear early in the week that San Francisco would face the Packers without their four starters.

The 49ers have survived a slew of injuries thanks to some quality depth on their roster, but they’re not going to reach their peak until they’re at full strength. Getting Staley, Ford, Breida and Gould back would put San Francisco as close to peak health as they’ve been all season.

Staley had surgery a finger he dislocated and fractured against the Seahawks in Week 10. Breida aggravated an ankle injury that same game and hasn’t played since. Ford hurt his hamstring the following week against the Cardinals, and Gould injured his quad in practice leading up to the Seattle game.

Gould told Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area that he plans to play Sunday.

Ford’s return would come at a good time after Damontre Moore, who replaced Ronald Blair, broke his forearm Sunday night. San Francisco is suddenly thin at defensive end, and putting Ford back in the lineup would be a nice boost for the pass rush.

The offensive tackles also struggled Sunday night. Justin Skule, Staley’s backup, was pulled in the second quarter in favor of Daniel Brunskill. Staley’s return to the lineup to shore up Jimmy Garoppolo’s blind side would help the offense immensely.

Breida’s insertion back into the lineup would give the running game an element of explosiveness its been missing with him banged up. He’s a home run threat every time he touches the ball. While the 49ers’ other backs are talented, Breida is simply a different type of electric that helps power San Francisco’s rushing attack.

The 49ers won’t practice until Wednesday, at which point we’ll get a better idea of how close each of those players are. Shanahan’s update Monday is optimistic though, and that’s as good as they can hope for given how bad the injury situation has been to this point.

 

Marquise Goodwin a healthy scratch vs. Packers

The 49ers’ speedy wide receiver is a healthy scratch for Sunday Night Football.

There was a small surprise on the 49ers’ inactives list for Sunday night vs. the Packers. Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin is a healthy scratch. George Kittle, Deebo Samuel and Emmanuel Sanders are all officially active.

Here’s the full list of inactives:

QB CJ Beathard
OT Joe Staley
RB Matt Breida
DE Dee Ford
K Robbie Gould
WR Marquise Goodwin
TE Levine Toilolo

Goodwin had a huge game last season vs. the Packers on Monday Night Football with four catches for 126 yards and two touchdowns. He won’t get a chance to replicate that effort this year.

Toilolo is also a healthy scratch. There was some speculation pregame that Gould would play when he was warming up well before kickoff, but the nature of his injury and position makes it tough to activate him unless he’s 100 percent healthy.

Last week the 49ers didn’t have much choice with their inactives given how injured they were, but they’re much healthier going into Sunday night, which allows them to sit Goodwin and Toilolo.

San Francisco elected to go deep at defensive line with Jullian Taylor and DJ Jones both active. They’ll also be deep at linebacker with Azeez Al-Shaair and Elijah Lee both active.

Here are the Packers inactives: