The 49ers can rest some of their stars and give reserves crucial time to prepare for the Rams because they have already secured the top seed.
Both teams know that what comes next matters more than what occurs on the field at Levi’s Stadium as they prepare for the regular-season finale on Sunday between the 49ers (12-4) and Los Angeles Rams (9-7).
The 49ers and Rams do not have 90-man exhibition rosters, nor do they have junior varsity teams. However, the game plans from coaches Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay will have a standard preseason feel. The 49ers won’t be able to bench their 12 alternates or their nine Pro Bowl players.
While Shanahan has already made the decision to bench running back Christian McCaffrey due to a mild calf strain and to rest quarterback Brock Purdy in favor of Sam Darnold, you can be sure that several other front-line players will make brief appearances for one, two, or three series before taking the remainder of the afternoon off.
Elijah Mitchell and Jordan Mason, two reasonably experienced running backs, will replace McCaffrey, with Ty Davis-Price perhaps being activated from the practice squad.
The following players can anticipate a lighter workload: defensive lineman Javon Hargrave, linebackers Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw, cornerbacks Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir, wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel, tight end George Kittle, and left tackle Trent Williams.
The truth is that certain front-line players will have to bear some injury risk because there are only 48 players who are currently active and seven who have already been declared as inactive due to injury (or, in Purdy’s case, rest).
Bosa and Warner agreed that it’s critical to play the way you always play and that attempting to stay injury-free is not a smart approach to play football.
“Working with some of those guys is going to be difficult,” Shanahan remarked. It’s not as though I want Trent and several other folks to be alone for a long time. Therefore, we must properly balance it out. However, those individuals need to clear their heads and get ready to play.
For veterans who signed with the 49ers throughout the season, it’s a great opportunity to become even more acquainted with the system and get ready for a part in a postseason run.
Additionally, it’s a unique chance for young veterans or rookies with little playing experience to get full-speed action.
Defensive coordinator Steve Wilks stated, “It’s going to be great, just to be able to see those guys come in and perform as they did the latter part of the Commanders game.” The one thing that I find enjoyable is that, regardless of who is inside, the standard remains the same. Therefore, I’m eager to see whoever is still playing for the 49ers.
A list of everyone to watch on Sunday, in no certain order:
Strong safety Logan Ryan: Showed Wilks his professionalism and communication skills by playing all 46 snaps against Washington. Ryan might not leave the field due to free safety Tashaun Gipson’s quad injury, and slot corner Isaiah Oliver might be forced into some safety work.
Defending tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day: It’s unclear if Arik Armstead’s prediction to return for the playoffs is realistic or just wishful thinking as he will be playing in his fifth game with a foot ailment. Joseph-Day, who started for the Rams and Chargers this season, is acclimating to the 49ers’ reactive scheme instead of the more thoughtful two-gap scheme he has played in the past. In his debut against Washington, he played 11 snaps.
Joseph-Day remarked, “It was definitely different, but I really like it.” “It allows me to be more aggressive than usual and use my athletic ability a lot more.”
Tight end Charlie Woerner: Has received two passes while playing 265 snaps. Catching both, he gained 12 yards. a strong blocker who shared the lead in special teams tackles (10), with George Odum. In his four years at Georgia, Woerner caught 34 passes; he aims to establish himself as a reliable pass-catcher in the future.
“It’s not my role to be a starter, but everyone wants to be one,” Woerner stated. “I enjoy being on special teams. I take it extremely seriously when you tackle guys and act wild and free.”
A rookie tight end selected in the seventh round by Louisville, Brayden Willis has played 23 snaps in six games and is still waiting on his first NFL reception.
Jaylon Moore, a left tackle, started two games in place of injured player Williams and performed admirably, despite the difficulty of taking over for a likely Hall of Famer. Moore was cleared following a two-game absence due to a concussion. Matt Pryor can play both sides, has experience with Philadelphia and Indianapolis, and has participated in special teams play this year.
Ronnie Bell, a wide receiver, has played 145 snaps in his rookie season and has five grabs for 63 yards and two touchdowns. Danny Gray, a speedster, might be taken off the injured list if Jauan Jennings isn’t released from the concussion protocol. There could be plenty of work for Ray-Ray McCloud, who will be activated and is anticipated to take over Bell’s position as a punt return specialist.
Ben Bartch, a guard/center, was signed by the 49ers after being cut by Jacksonville after making 20 starts in three seasons and eight games. The 49ers regard Bartch as a potential center and he might replace starter Jake Brendel, whose 979 snaps this season are second only to Colton McKivitz’s 995. Bartch was a tackle and guard with the Jaguars.
Linebacker Dee Winters, selected from TCU in the sixth round of the draft, has played 46 defensive snaps in 14 games and 212 special team snaps. Jalen Graham, selected from Purdue one round later, has been active three times and has played 45 special team snaps. Both match the 49ers’ sideline-to-sideline Dre Greenlaw blueprint. Oren Burks and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, two veterans, will assist in filling in as well.
Leave a Reply