Breaking: Raheem Mostert, Ben Garland to go on IR, injury updates on Jaquiski Tartt, Trent Williams
Just when you thought the 49ers were all clear, boom, the injury gods hit us. And sorting through takes based on yesterday's win.
(Santa Clara) - The injury gods have struck once again, and at the worst time when the 49ers now enter the toughest remaining schedule in the league. Kyle Shanahan in his press conference today told reporters that:
Raheem Mostert will go on IR with a high-ankle sprain
Ben Garland will go on IR with a calf strain
Jaquiski Tartt and Trent Williams are getting screened additionally today and tomorrow to determine their outlooks. Tartt has a groin injury, Williams has - you guessed it, an ankle injury.
Additionally, he informed reporters that Weston Richburg had gotten a previously unknown shoulder surgery done earlier this season, which was part of his delayed return, which has now been pushed back all the way to Week 12. Shanahan said that hopes “Grasu can hold it down till Richburg gets back”, which subtly hints that Garland’s injury may be more severe than he let on.
You can access Shanahan’s comments in his press conference transcript from today here.
You can access yesterday’s postgame comments from Shanahan and Jimmy Garoppolo here.
Let’s break it down.
Raheem Mostert
This is a devastating injury. As detailed in my advanced stat breakdown, even with the OL playing good, Mostert is no system player - he has been flat out amazing thus far for the 49ers, giving Kittle a run for his money for best offensive player this season. Just incredible production in the face of bad blocking and good defensive lineman, averaging the most yards above expected of anyone in the entire league. He is our run game, and for those of you that have watched games he does not play in, this run game is clearly not the same without him. McKinnon is good but his speed has left him, and he simply does not bring that element of explosion that Mostert does, and while Hasty is intriguing, it’s foolish to place high expectations on Hasty this early.
Being placed on IR means a couple of things:
Mostert is out at minimum for almost a month, with his earliest return date being November 15th, against the Saints.
With Coleman also out long-term, the 49ers will likely look to add someone to the RB room.
While Hasty, Wilson, and McKinnon can likely fill in, the 49ers clearly need one more guy at RB. Who are some options?
Jauan Jennings - Yes, he is a WR. But he is also physical enough and big enough to run through tacklers, I would not be surprised if the 49ers take a look at converting him to RB for the near-future. His pass catching ability and blocking is a bonus.
Isaiah Crowell - Still only 27, Crowell is likely the best RB option left in free agency, and had one of his best seasons under Kyle Shanahan in Cleveland. Also pretty likely that he gets a look.
Alfred Morris - Back again?! Morris is currently on the Giants practice squad and would be a prime claim candidate for the 49ers.
Theo Riddick - Long-time Lion, Riddick is on the Raiders practice squad and his receiving prowess would be a nice fit with Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
D’Onta Foreman - The 2017 3rd round pick, Foreman has not stuck with a team, but he is a fast, young RB with a lot of talent. The 49ers could give him a chance, claiming him off the Titans practice squad.
Bryce Love - maybe the most intriguing option here, the 49ers would likely trade a late round pick, and or Dante Pettis for Love, who is buried/injured on the depth chart in Washington and with Gibson, likely never going to get a chance at a role. Love was a Heisman hopeful and one of the fastest players in college football - a good fit for the Shanahan scheme.
Of course, the likeliest option is RB Austin Walter, who sits on the practice squad right now. FB Josh Hokit could also get a look.
Ben Garland
Just when the 49ers could NOT afford another interior OL injury, they got one, in Ben Garland. While Hroniss Grasu is slated to slide in, during a schedule devoid of opposing pass-rush until the Saints and Packers games, you have to wonder if the 49ers make a switch, putting Brunskill at C and moving Skule to RG next to McGlinchey, who by the way, had his best game as a 49er on Sunday night.
As noted above, Garland’s injury may be more long-term than we think, and so with that, some cheap options must be considered in the short term - Alex Mack would be ideal, but his cap hit, contract, and overall acquisition price is far too high for a team that is still figuring out their 2020 season. Not to mention, the 49ers would have to reconstruct many contracts and or trade those contracts to fit Mack. Not happening.
Options to help alleviate the IOL concerns:
Justin Britt - The former Seattle C has experience in the NFC West, is a nimble, athletic lineman, and has not allowed more than 2 sacks in any season since 2015. He is a average C, but that might be what the 49ers need.
Josh Kline - Almost the exact same profile as Britt, only without the NFC West experience. Kline is a starter level guard, he is not going to blow you away, but he can hold his own, and is best in a zone-blocking scheme.
The most obvious is the CFL Standout, Dakoda Shepley - he has spent time on the 49ers practice squad, and now seems to be his best chance at making a name for himself in the NFL.
Tartt and Williams being screened additionally is hard to read into, but it definitely does not speak well to these injuries not being serious. Williams even with his below average play (at least to his standards) these past couple weeks, is still the 49ers best offensive lineman and not having him vs. a tough defense like the Patriots could be a massive challenge, but Tartt and Williams should not be out long-term, based on what we know right now. Of course, 49ers fans thought the same about Raheem Mostert, and look how that turned out. Worst case scenario, the 49ers can move Ward to SS and Moore to FS, or a variance, and run a hybrid safety scheme (which they already kind of do) to alleviate Tartt’s absence. There is not a move required for this.
Thought Refiners
Installment #2 of the thought refiners. In this series, SportyMiner provides me with a take which I elaborate on.
“I I oughta remind ya, there's no assortment finer than these short one liners For The Niners!
Run, Deebo, Run!
Samuel is the best running WR in football, and it’s not close. Electric with the ball in his hands. I wonder if Shanahan gives him a look at RB with all the injuries there.
Finally, a “scary” drive to start the game. That is more like it, lads.
How about it. About time the 49ers came out like that, and they did just that. 3 1st half TDs. Well done.
Jimmy smiling and the rest of the team playing angry. This is what we needed, this is how we should have been playing since game one.
It certainly feels like the 49ers got their mojo or swagger back. But I’m going to pump the brakes for now - Bill Belichick is a masterful HC and will have a tough defensive gameplan for us. 3 2nd half points won’t cut it vs. a running QB like Newton paired with the DPOY in Gilmore on defense.
Mostert earning his money for sure. Sorry, who? TeCo? Never heard of him.
Certainly feels like with Hasty showing out, McKinnon outplaying him, and Mostert playing incredible (although injured), Coleman’s days are numbered on the 49ers.
Finally... Shanahan dialing up some smart, beautiful plays. Thank God. Wins us the 2nd TD and already the feel of this team is miles away from last few weeks - I can breath again, this is the 2019 Niners sans Bosa!
Once again, I will pump the brakes - the 49ers won by just 8 vs. a divisional rival and allowed the Rams to get back into it late, with just 3 2nd half points. But like I said, seems to be looking up, and you are right - Shanahan had an impeccable performance yesterday. A lot of work left.
Is Bounce back Jimmy a thing? Yeah. Yeah it is.
I wouldn’t say bounce back - I would say, return to the norm. This was a good performance, no doubt, but the short passing game and checkdown game that was utilized Sunday, likely will be adjusted for by teams in the future. Especially with Mostert, the main threat at RB, out, Garoppolo has to go further now.
I wonder if the Rams O is similar enough to the Niners to give our DEF an advantage from practising against them all the time?
This is something I never thought of, but you are right. Seeing similar plays, formations, and scheme everyday in practice clearly helped the 49ers on Sunday, but don’t underplay Saleh’s performance as a DC yesterday either.
Man, Verrett is balling tonight, so happy for him getting back to health and playing lights out!
He’s playing like a top 5 CB in the league, and we have a CBPOY candidate now. On his way to the Pro Bowl.
Goff seeing ghosts tonight - he keeps throwing it to a cardboard cutout!
I will say this - Goff was playing like a top 10 QB coming into Sunday. What the 49ers did on defense was impressive, especially with a lack of pass rush. Outstanding performance by the secondary.
OL have played great tonight. No obvious communication problems and Brunskill has been standing up Donald all night - that's impressive.
Donald never plays well against us. While OL had an easier task with the short passing game being emphasized, this was clearly their best performance either way. McGlinchey was the highest graded player on the 49ers, both run blocking and pass blocking. Stepping up when we need him.
What a punt stop by Moore - great awareness. Nice to see him on the field! We want more Moore!
It feels like Moore can never get on the field - but when he does, he always seems to make at least one big play a game. He is a ballhawk, good things happen when he is on the field. Moore has an 82.3 PFF grade, and the eye test matches - He has played outstanding when given opportunity. Needs more of it.
How many big plays has Juszczyk had taken away from him this season by the QB overthrowing him?
Not as many as you think, but Garoppolo missed some throws badly. Hard to swallow, but you can attribute it to his ankle. Still troubling, and it’s not exactly fair that Mullens gets criticized badly for a similar throw vs. the Eagles.
Hasty isn't setting the world on fire, not yet. I know he's fresh off the PS but he looks very linear, no big cuts. Hopefully this is great experience for him because he's likely to be called upon a lot throughout the year, and over Wilson.
I see the opposite - he has been so effective because he is different from Mostert with his herky-jerky cutting style and running style. Still, he can get downhill in a hurry. Excited to see what he brings to the table.
Wow, we got the win! This team felt so different today, especially the first half: aggressive, decisive and efficient. The second half was flat and with mistakes, but the game plan was more containment of the lead so didn't hurt the result too much. Well done Shanahan, getting your moxi back!
The second half was troubling, but there is no denying the 49ers looked awfully good in that opening half, and they need to continue this momentum going into Foxborough on Monday. The Patriots are the last team you want to underestimate.
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I do feel sorry for Jus though, he's had big plays taken from his grasp on multiple occasions. I could see him think "damn, not again" when that pass sailed over him.
And 'Bounce Back Jimmy' was something one of our members pointed out Sunday (and picked up in broadcast) - Jimmy's never lost 2 in a row and he's continued that streak. It's a good 'stat' to have, let's hope it's a real thing.
First half felt like last year - we've had 2nd halves like that before too, so yeah wasn't great but the team looked and felt right, which gives me hope rather than utter dispair from last week. Got to enjoy the wins when they happen!
Loved the dive in to potential RB pickups Riqo and I've never considered JJ as a RB. Not sure how he'd cope but would like to him in somehow this season (through talent, not injury).