Your daily San Francisco 49ers news for Thursday, December 26th, 2024
“Yeah, I do. I do think so, because it has not been effective,” Baldinger said. “I would say that they have to evaluate that right now. I know Nick loves it, and he gets to play in space. Now, I think a lot of teams started attacking Nick on that wide nine in the running, and just chipping him and some nasty chips. And he had to kind of cut it down because the splits were just too big, and receivers were just chipping him. And, I mean, knocking the hell out of them in the pass rush.
“So I do think it should be evaluated. But the defensive line has been a problem. Javon Hargrave goes down, Armstead’s, not here. Maliek Collins has been the best interior defensive lineman. Givens got hurt.
“It has to be addressed. It’s a weakness to this team right now. And I think, to your point, I think Fred has really struggled — hasn’t really struggled. I mean, he was awesome earlier in the year. I’m sure the injury is real. He’s not the same player the second half of the season, as we’re used to seeing him, but a healthy Greenlaw, and Fred inside with stud defense tackles, I think you’ll see some of the plays that we’re used to seeing from those two guys.”
Lions plan to go full-bore against 49ers: ‘We’re bringing everything that we have’ (paywall)
“I’ll make this easy for everybody, that way all the critics can jump out and start attacking,” said Campbell, who saw two key offensive players injured in a similar situation last season in Week 18. “But that way you don’t have to debate them anymore. We’re bringing everything that we have to this game and we are playing. And I don’t care what it looks like, and where it’s at, or who’s this, who’s that. We’re going out to play and win this game out on the West Coast. So there you go.”
The Lions and Vikings have identical 13-2 records. If Minnesota beats the Packers on Sunday, the Lions can claim the No. 1 seed by beating the Vikings in their regular-season finale, regardless of whether they win or lose against the 49ers.
Of course, the all-hands-on-deck approach against the 49ers could be partly tied to the Lions’ most recent visit. Detroit lost 34-31 in the NFC Championship Game at Levi’s Stadium in January after squandering a 17-point, third-quarter lead.
“Anytime we lose, the thought of losing is going to motivate you to not want to lose again, particularly with where you were at,” said Campbell. “So that’s always going to bring it’s own level of motivation to it.”
“In light of these mounting injuries, the 49ers have announced a series of roster moves to address their depleted offensive line. The team signed offensive lineman Charlie Heck to a one-year deal. Heck was previously on the Arizona Cardinals practice squad.
To make room on the roster, the 49ers placed Moore on injured reserve.”