49ers on Wednesday: Robbie Gould reworks deal but goes on COVID list, Fred Warner earns NFC honor
Kicker Robbie Gould reportedly gets a fully guaranteed deal for the next two seasons while 49ers teammate Fred Warner garnered NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors on Wednesday.
The 49ers are all in on Robbie Gould.
At least for the next two seasons, thanks to a reworked contract.
As for Sunday’s finale against Seattle, Gould may not be available after going on the NFL’s COVID-19 reserve list Wednesday.
”We wouldn’t have done (the contract) if we’d known that. Just joking,” coach Kyle Shanahan said.
The 49ers are signing kicker Tristan Vizcaino, formerly of the Minnesota Vikings practice squad, Shanahan added.
Faced with a deadline this week on determining Gould’s 2021 fate, they’ve agreed to guarantee the next two years of his contract. Gould will make $7.25 million fully guaranteed, a league source confirmed.
”It’s great to lock up Robbie. I didn’t feel like we were going to lose him,” Shanahan said. “It helps the organization and it helps Robbie.”
The 49ers had to decide this week whether to guarantee $2.25 million of his $4.5 million base salary for 2021, according to figures by overthecap.com. That clause was part of a deal (four years, $19 milion) that Gould signed in 2019 after the 49ers used their franchise tag on him. He was slated to make $8.5 million in salary over the next two years.
Gould, 38, was having another banner season up until last game. He missed three kicks in Saturday’s win at Arizona, including field goal attempts from 41 and 37 yards, as well as a point-after attempt. He is 19-of-23 on field goal tries and 36-of-38 on point-after attempts this season.
Gould’s 400 career field goals rank 11th in NFL history, and he is fifth in 49ers history with 114 since 2017. He’s made six game-winning field goals for the 49ers, including a 42-yarder at the Los Angeles Rams a month ago.
One thing to keep in mind as the 49ers eye a playoff return next season: Gould has never missed a postseason kick (15 field goals, 29 point-after kicks).
WARNER HONORED
Linebacker Fred Warner has another NFL accolade to show in his upcoming contract bid with the 49ers.
Warner won NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors Wednesday, a byproduct of his all-around excellence in Saturday’s 20-12 win over the host Arizona Cardinals.
The third-year linebacker will be eligible for a contract extension after this season, which ends Sunday when the last-place 49ers (6-9) host the NFC West-winning Seattle Seahawks (11-4) at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
Warner matched his career high with 14 tackles against the Cardinals. He also forced and recovered a fumble, and he again wowed with his coverage ability, breaking up a fourth-down play among his three passes defensed.
Warner is a first-year captain who received his first Pro Bowl nod last week. He was a 2017 third-round draft pick out of BYU, and he’s never missed a start, and he’ll lead the 49ers in tackles (115 now) for a third straight season.
“He keeps finding ways to get better,” Shanahan said. “He played at an All-Pro and Pro Bowl level last year and got rewarded for it this year, but he also took a step forward this year.”
McGLINCHEY STAYING
Right tackle Mike McGlinchey’s 2022 option likely will be exercised, Shanahan said.
”We haven’t talked about it but McGlinchey is going to be here,” Shanahan said of the 2018 first-round pick. “ ‘Don’t worry Mike, you’ll be alright.’ Obviously I’ve got to talk to John (Lynch) and Jed (York). I didn’t realize (a fifth-year option decision) was up next year, which means I feel pretty good about Mike.”
INJURY UPDATES
Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw’s swollen knee kept him out of practice and Shanahan does not believe it’s traced to pre-draft, arthritic concerns.
Also out of practice were wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, cornerbacks Richard Sherman and K’Waun Williams, left tackle Trent Williams, wide receiver Deebo Samuel and defensive tackle Kevin Givens, who’s been away from the team the past week tending to a family matter.
Limited at practice: defensive end Dion Jordan, safety Tarvarius Moore, cornerback Emmanuel Moseley and offensive lineman Justin Skule. Guard Tom Compton (concussion) might come off Injured Reserve this week.
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo indeed will not play Sunday, Shanahan said.
Safety Jimmie Ward (concussion) and Charlie Woerner (off COVID list) returned to practice.
SHERMAN’S STATUS
Cornerback Richard Sherman’s season-long calf issues will keep him out of Sunday’s finale, and his future is unknown as he’s slated for free agency, along with almost all other 49ers’ cornerbacks.
While Sherman’s leadership has been immeasurable in three seasons since joining the 49ers in 2018 from rival Seattle, his stats have been modest, while rarely targeted. He has four interceptions, one sack, one fumble recovery in 24 starts. This season, his lone interception came in the Nov. 29 win over the Rams as he returned from a nine-game hiatus after injuring his calf in the opener.
His 36 regular-season interceptions are the NFL’s most among active players since 2011, and he has 40 career interceptions when adding in the four he’s made in 15 playoff games. He’s gone to the postseason six times in his 10-year career.