SANTA CLARA – George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, and Christian McCaffrey have all scored multiple touchdowns in the 49ers’ recent visits to SoFi Stadium.
None might be in uniform for Sunday’s return.
Kittle is doubtful, Samuel is out, and McCaffrey will miss a third straight game with more to come, thus robbing the 49ers (1-1) of three offensive mainstays.
Kittle missed his second straight practice Friday because of lingering “soreness” that he initially reported Thursday morning, Shanahan said.
Over the prior three seasons, McCaffrey and Samuel each scored three touchdowns and Kittle two in their SoFi Stadium visits; the 49ers’ only other touchdowns have come from Jauan Jennings (two), Brandon Aiyuk and Brock Purdy, who comprise a trio that must lead Sunday’s aerial attack.
Since McCaffrey’s October 2022 arrival, Purdy has taken only 10 snaps without McCaffrey, Samuel and Kittle, and half of those snaps came upon relieving Jimmy Garoppolo in McCaffrey’s debut against Kansas City, per ESPN’s Nick Wagoner.
Four days after losing in Minnesota, the 49ers added Kittle, Ward, and Bosa to the injury report, none of whom had previously disclosed ailments either right after the game or through Wednesday’s practice.
Bosa’s rib injury occurred in one-on-one drills Thursday, and although he’s been limited, he looked sharp in Friday’s warmups. Bosa has started all but one game since returning in 2021 from knee reconstruction; his lone absence came in a 2022 loss at Atlanta in which six defensive starters did not play.
Samuel has not practiced since Sunday’s late calf strain and is expected to miss two weeks. McCaffrey must miss at least three more games while on Injured Reserve, with the potential to sit out more until his Achilles tendinitis fades.
Sunday’s game starts at 1:25 p.m. at SoFi Stadium with it serving as the Rams’ home opener.
Kittle, an eighth-year veteran, has been sidelined for 17 games in his illustrious career, but never by a hamstring injury. Instead, ankle, knee, foot and calf issues hindered him before a groin issue kept him out the first two games of 2022. He missed the 2023 regular-season finale with other starters resting up for the playoffs, but a month later, he required core-muscle surgery on an issue that dated back to midseason.
Through Kittle’s four all-time appearances at SoFi Stadium, he’s yet to produce more than 39 yards, which he did in 2022 on three catches with one for a touchdown. Eric Saubert likely would start in place of Kittle and Jake Tonges should see more action after just two offensive snaps through two games. Tight ends Brayden Willis and Mason Pline are candidates to get elevated Saturday from the practice squad.
Ward has yet to miss a start since joining the 49ers in 2022.
MASON AMONG NFL ELITE
Jordan Mason followed up his 147-yard starting debut in the season opener with a 100-yard outing in Minnesota, giving him 247 yards that rank second in the NFL behind only the Chargers’ J.K. Dobbins (266 yards).
His 48 carries already surpassed his totals from each of the past two seasons, and they tied for the NFL’s …read more
Source:: The Mercury News – Entertainment
