Your daily San Francisco 49ers links for Saturday, August 28, 2021
Kyle Shanahan talking about injuries will always be funny to me. When asked about the specifics on Riche James’s injury, he said: “It started with an M and I know six weeks. They said around six weeks. So, I’m guessing, but I don’t want to mess that up. It’s the knee but I don’t like saying that because everyone assumes ACL and stuff, but I know it’s not that one.”
John Lynch seems to confirm that 49ers plan to use both Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance
The 49ers clearly want to force opposing defenses to be ready for both players.
“That is something that we kind of are looking forward to, the amount of time that people are going to have to put in, preparing for each quarterback,” Lynch said.
That still doesn’t mean Garoppolo will be the Week One starter. While it seems to be pointing that way, everything is subject to change. The preseason finale will give the 49ers another data point before Week One at the Lions.
“We’re still looking for the answers, and we’re going to throw these guys out there a little bit on Sunday and see if we find out a little more,” Lynch said. “You just take in as much information, and you see who gives us the best chance.”
Good news for 49ers Faithful: Trent Williams says Nick Bosa got better
Asked how Bosa has looked since returning from injury, Williams answered, “Nick has been outstanding. I don’t know how he could’ve gotten stronger, but he did. You know, very few people come back from a major injury and are better…I played Nick before he left, and I played him when he got back, and he’s better. It’s definitely good news for the Faithful.”
Williams discussed how Bosa has gotten even better physically, but it’s the mental side that Williams seems especially impressed with. “Nick is a very sharp guy. It’s all between his ears. He’s just blessed with the ability and having the body to do so, but it’s all between his ears. He definitely got stronger, you can definitely feel his play strength; you can feel that off the bat. But honestly, I think he’s just such a smart guy…I feel like he came back with a recipe of moves just for me,” said Williams.
He continued saying how it’s exciting to see a player come back, especially considering all that Bosa went through, and still be a better player than he was. “I think that’s outstanding,” said Williams.
Las Vegas Raiders preseason: 3 rookie matchups to watch against 49ers
There has been a lot of buzz in San Francisco about Deommodore Lenoir and part of the reason is he’s currently allowing one reception for every 64 coverage snaps, which ranks first among all corners this preseason.
Lenoir also boasts a league-leading 0.0 passer rating when targeted, and has an interception and pass breakup to his name. Pretty impressive for a fifth-round pick.
That’s a tough draw for Stoner given the importance of this game for him, but it also allows him to show growth and beat a player that a lot of people are really high on right now. A big day could be just enough to push the Oklahoma State product ahead of DJ Turner and Keelan Doss, both of whom aren’t that far ahead in the completion.
Just getting Ford on the field was something of a surprise for the 49ers. The fact he was available throughout camp and playing well were added bonuses. It sounded early in the offseason like Ford may not play at all in 2021, and now he’s primed to be a key member of the 49ers’ defensive line.
49ers’ Jalen Hurd not counted out yet by John Lynch, Kyle Shanahan
“If Hurd’s healthy and he’s ready to go — there’s a reason we drafted him,” Shanahan said. “Hurd’s going to be a hell of a player… What’s been great this week is he’s been out there. We’ve had two really hard practices, he’s made them two days in a row and as many reps as he’s had since he’s been here. I haven’t had a chance to talk to him yet, but he got through it, he looked good, and I hope he comes back tomorrow feeling good. And hopefully he’ll get some playing time here on Sunday if he feels right.”
Five final 49ers questions, including a biggie: How will Jalen Hurd’s knee react?
Another question: If the 49ers keep six cornerbacks, could they keep four safeties? Jimmie Ward and Talanoa Hufanga are locks. And Tavon Wilson has been working with the first-string defense since the first day of training camp.
Does Jaquiski Tartt, who only returned to practice on Wednesday, have enough time to unseat Wilson as the Week 1 starter? Since returning to practice, Tartt has needed intermittent attention from trainers on his toe, suggesting it remains something he’s dealing with. If the team feels Tartt needs more time to heal, it could turn to newcomer Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, who already has two practice interceptions and who looks deserving of a roster spot.
“Ideally, just as a whole for starters, I’d like to get close to the first half,” Shanahan said. “I always say the whole half, but I thought we had a real good week of practice. Hopefully we’ve seen enough and I can take them out somewhere in the second quarter.”