Shuffling The Roster: Dee Ford out long-term, JaMycal Hasty time, and more.
A lot of moves in "Wake" of Sunday. Looking at Cam Wake, who I suspect the 49ers are looking at over Clay Matthews. And an update on "Metdeath" Stadium.
(Santa Clara) - After the initial wave of bad news - more has hit the 49ers ahead of Sunday’s game with the New York Giants. Dee Ford, the best remaining pass-rusher on the 49ers roster, is out for an unknown timetable with a back injury. As reported yesterday, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan had mentioned that Ford, who was originally dealing with a neck issue, had begun experiencing back issues more than the neck issues. He has already been ruled out for Sunday - and this hurts the 49ers pass rush even more. Ezekiel Ansah should help alleviate some concerns, but this is going to be an issue against contenders like the Saints, Seahawks, and more. Ford has had a herniated disc in his back, meaning this is not a new issue in terms of a back issue. Interestingly enough, the 49ers negotiated an out in his contract after this season, in which the 49ers take a big dead money hit but are able to shed his salary in the future. Unless he recovers from this injury - he has likely played his last game as a 49er.
Jason Verrett is on track to practice tomorrow, which is needed with less than ideal depth behind Moseley and Witherspoon - at least til Sherman returns.
The 49ers also worked out 3 RBs in light of Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman injuries, the latter of whom will be out several weeks according to David Lombardi and other beat reporters: Tough break for Coleman, but with McKinnon finally healthy (knock on wood) and in the fold, not a season changer. The 3 RBs:
Paul Perkins
Austin Walter
Karan Higdon
Perkins is the most notable of the bunch: the UCLA product had 600+ yards from scrimmage in his rookie season with the Giants, but with the arrival of Saquon Barkley, lost opportunity to step it up from there. Perkins is a decent receiving back as well.
Around The NFL
The NFL fined Kyle Shanahan a whopping $100,000, and the 49ers organization $250,000 for not properly following mask mandates. Enforcing masks is fine, not finding that much - especially since they are tested as well. Multiple coaches were also fined along with Shanahan, including Pete Carroll.
The NFL also announced that no players tested positive from September 13th to 19th, suggesting that within the NFL, the virus has been all but eradicated. For now, good news - at least til another player is irresponsible and gets the virus.
The Broncos, in light of the Drew Lock injury expected to sideline Lock for at least a month, have signed former Jaguars QB Blake Bortles. His status as starter is unclear, but right now, former 49ers draft pick Jeff Driskel is the de-facto #1.
DeVonta Freeman, the longtime Falcons standout, signed a 1 year, $3M deal with the New York Giants, who we play on Sunday. Freeman was a favorite of HC Kyle Shanahan and looks to help in the Giants backfield that has a massive hole from the devastating Saquon Barkley injury.
Metdeath Stadium
The now-infamous turf at Metlife Stadium has undergone an investigation by an independent NFL field observer, who confirmed that the surface meets all standards. Either those standards are terrible, or they are concealing something - because it definitely has not. In 2 weeks, 3 ACLs have been torn on that surface. The NFLPA has stood behind the 49ers organization and is calling for a change in surfaces. An unnamed union source had this to say to columnist Charles Robinson:
“We are very concerned about it being a serious health and safety issue for players — and turf continuing to be a health and safety issue in general.”
When almost every player complains, multiple lower body injuries occur, and it’s a brand-new field - simple logic would be enough to deduce what is the common denominator here.
Roster Shifts
The Niners protected and promoted JaMycal Hasty from the practice squad today, signaling that he will likely be active on Sunday with the injuries to the RB core. Hasty thoroughly impressed during camp, showing elite elusiveness and speed. As per usual, he also has fumbling issues which seems to be a theme with Shanahan UDFA RBs - but he is oozing with potential.
Some moves that are expected to made official in the next couple days:
Nick Bosa, Solomon Thomas placed on IR (out for season)
Tevin Coleman placed on short-term IR (out for 3 weeks)
Ezekiel Ansah - 1 year, $3,000,000
Ansah is good, but likely not enough. I want the 49ers to take a long, hard look at Cameron Wake, not Clay Matthews who is the popular choice. Why?
Wake is the most consistent guy I have seen - he has never posted below a 75 PFF grade in his entire career, and posted above 80.0 for every season but one. Wake was originally a sack machine, but as he aged, has become a situational guy - which is what we need. The added bonus with Wake is that he is big enough to play on base downs, which with Thomas and Bosa gone - is desperately needed. He may be very old, but he has not lost his ability - just his endurance. Take a look at his PFF profile:
He may be 38 years old, but Wake has made it clear he has no plans to retire — and why should he? He is coming off a 2019 season where he played only 195 snaps, but he managed an 83.5 overall grade in that limited time with over 30 pressures on just 181 pass-rushing snaps. Wake has been one of the most accomplished pass rushers in the PFF era, posting 10 consecutive seasons with a pass-rushing grade of 80.0 or higher to open his career. A designated pass-rushing role on a talented and diverse defense like Baltimore’s would be an ideal way for Wake to close out his career.
You might have your own doubts about PFF - but one thing is clear. By any statistic and also by the eye test, Wake has barely lost a step. At this point in the season, talent is hard to find, and the 49ers would do well to Wake up (see what I did there) before another contender, say, Seattle, does the same. In every season that Wake has played healthy, he has posted above 10 QB hits (including this past season) every time - and posted at least 6 sacks (With the exception of last season). Big time, and provides a veteran presence.
In general, today was an uneventful day in Santa Clara. The 49ers try to pick up the pieces and salvage a season that is far from over.
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Idk if this was a typo or not. But u said the niners are paying Ziggy ansah 5 million!! I no longer like this deal
I'd love signing Wake. I actually wanted to see that happen before the injuries to Bosa and Ford (or is Ford and Bosa more correct?). I would even say go get two of them. Maybe Wake and T Sizzle.
Without and ounce of exaggeration, I can say with confidence that this is the most intense rash of injuries I've ever seen in such a short time. Unbelievable. If this doesn't make 2020 a lock for the year from hell award, I don't want to see the year that's worse in my lifetime. Holy crap! Enough already!!!
But.
How great of a story would it be if we go on to win it all anyway? That's got to be how this ends. Right? RIGHT???????