Talk about a rough start to the 2020 season for the San Francisco 49ers.
A loss to the upstart Arizona Cardinals was disappointing, but starting 0-1 is far from a disaster.
However, it is the injuries that this team is dealing with that really adds salt to the wound.
Just a calf strain for CB Richard Sherman, and a few weeks of rest and rehab… https://t.co/zUTDh3WACy
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 16, 2020
The Niners placed star cornerback and future Hall-of-Famer Richard Sherman on the Injured Reserve yesterday.
Sherman’s injury designation comes as a surprise, seeing that he played 78 of the Niners’ 82 defensive snaps.
Regardless, he will miss at least the next three weeks and will be eligible to return for a Week 5 tilt against the Miami Dolphins.
Coach Kyle Shanahan did not appear to be overwhelmingly concerned when asked by reporters regarding the severity of his injury.
“It happened like the last four plays of the game, I believe,” Shanahan said on Wednesday. “We were still waiting to see how it felt on Monday, and later Monday afternoon, we found that it was hurting a little more than he expected. Fortunately, we were able to do the IR to return. So hopefully won’t be too long.”
An inexperienced and shallow secondary will sorely miss Sherman’s veteran leadership and high IQ.
The Niners have lost all three games that Sherman has missed, allowing an average of 32.3 points per game.
Other Dings and Dents
With Sherman already out for the foreseeable future, San Francisco can ill afford to lose any more players.
#SFvsNYJ Practice Report
Did Not Practice:
WR Richie James (hamstring)
TE George Kittle (knee)
CB Jason Verrett (hamstring)
CB Ahkello Witherspoon (concussion)— Keiana Martin (@KeianaMartinTV) September 16, 2020
Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon is in the concussion protocol after playing just four snaps in coverage against the Cardinals.
Cornerback Jason Verrett and wide receiver Richie James missed Week 1 with hamstring issues.
All-Pro tight end George Kittle sprained his left knee in the second quarter of last Sunday’s game.
Though he eventually returned to play, he did not record a single statistic the rest of the way.
He looked clearly hobbled, and as a result, will not practice this week to avoid reaggregation of the injury.
The 49ers reportedly are "cautiously optimistic" George Kittle will play this week against the Jetshttps://t.co/dByjPw4wb2 pic.twitter.com/ELAfmI7yeh
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) September 15, 2020
Kittle, on the other hand, seemed positive he would be ready to play against the New York Jets.
“Good to go,” he texted NFL’s Michael Silver. “On to New York!”
If San Francisco can have a few of these players on the field this Sunday, that within itself is a win.
Reinforcements On The Way
If there is any consolation, there should be a few faces making their season debut against the Jets this Sunday.
Offensive lineman Ben Garland looks ready to return after nursing an ankle injury in the offseason.
He should slide into the starting center for Hroniss Grasu, who played all 62 offensive snaps in Week 1.
Rookie first-round pick Brandon Aiyuk will be a welcome addition to a receiving corps decimated by injuries, especially if Kittle can not return.
Though there was a chance he could have played against Arizona, the 49ers thought it would be in his best interest to sit one more week.
Hamstring injuries are notoriously fickle, so giving him an extra week of rest appears to have paid off.
San Francisco also signed free agent Mohamed Sanu to a one-year deal this past Tuesday.
BREAKING: According to his agent, Mohamed Sanu has agreed to join the 49ers on a one-year deal (via @MaioccoNBCS)https://t.co/YLA9SpWCKd pic.twitter.com/i1z0UD0H49
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) September 15, 2020
Sanu should have little issue acclimating the 49ers’ playbook, as he and Shanahan worked together in Atlanta during the 2016 season.
As long as he passes his COVID-19 tests, Sanu should be able to suit up in the red and gold as soon as this Sunday,
NEXT: 49ers Stumble In Week 1 Loss To The Cardinals
