49ers mailbag: Can injury-laden defense still put spy on Chiefs’ Mahomes?

ATLANTA – A 3-3 record is not what the 49ers banked on but it’s better than last year’s 2-4 start, just to set a sky-is-not-falling tone for this Week 7 mailbag:

Is anyone looking at the training staff and asking why are there so many injuries? (@jaybabs607)

That scrutiny comes annually, and not just because injuries stack up but how. In training camp, Kyle Shanahan did not like how soft-tissue injuries were occurring in practices after off days. The 49ers revamped their health and performance staff in 2019, hiring Ben Peterson from the NFL’s Philadelphia Flyers to oversee all aspects of health, strength, training and nutrition. The 49ers’ past searches for health salvation saw them build a giant training ramp and a log-laden obstacle course.

Can the defense recover from our injuries? (@renragd)

Widespread attrition left the 49ers’ defense without 8-of-11 would-be starters by the end of Sunday’s 28-14 loss to the Falcons. Not all will recover in time this season (see: Emmanuel Moseley) and most others are in rehab limbo (see: Arik Armstead, Javon Kinlaw, Azeez Al-Shaair). If Nick Bosa and Charvarius Ward can’t play Sunday againt the Chiefs because of groin injuries, that could end up feeling like another kick to the …

They probably would have won if Charlie Woerner and Ray-Ray McCloud didn’t drop those passes. (@mi_vikings_rover11)

Those second-half blunders certainly exasperated the 49ers’ offensive gallows. For the first time since last December’s loss in Seattle, the 49ers did not score after halftime.

How do you think Kyle (Shanahan) is going to go into this week preparing for the Chiefs? (@wyatt85)

Kansas City is scoring 29.8 points per game. The 49ers are averaging 20.3, and that includes a pair of interception returns for touchdowns. Playing ball hog would be ideal. As Jimmy Garoppolo said: “We have to get back to our style: stay ahead of the chains, avoid third downs, convert third downs. That’s our style.”

Do you think DeMeco will be using a spy against (Patrick) Mahomes? (@cuzimfat)

That would be a smart idea, if you had enough fully healthy starters to assign one to shadow Mahomes. Safety Talanoa Hufanga might be ideal for that role, but he entered the NFL’s concussion protocol on Monday, after reporting symptoms; he was cleared to return after inspections during and after the game. Maybe Dre Greenlaw can be the spy. Dropping a defensive lineman into that role seems futile when that unit is already thin.

That list of injuries is long. How many players are supposed to be back for Kansas City? (@karlgabriel)

To be determined. Left tackle Trent Williams and defensive end Nick Bosa have “a chance,” Shanahan said, confirming the suspicion they’ve been held out in anticipation of this coming rematch of Super Bowl LIV. Ex-Chiefs cornerback Charvarius Ward is day-to-day, as is right tackle Mike McGlinchey.

What’s one thing you think needs to be worked on this week? (@_m.a.c.__)

The pass defense, even though the Falcons gouged the 49ers with 40 runs for 168 yards. Not only must the 49ers’ pass rush brace for Patrick Mahomes’ nimble ways and creative arm slot, the inexperienced cornerbacks must plaster receivers and prey for safety help. Mahomes’ 17 touchdown throws are tied for the NFL lead with Buffalo’s Josh Allen.

Do you think we’ll see more TDP this week? Run game needs life. (@luketyson91)

There was plenty of life in that run game the previous game at Carolina, but when Jeff Wilson Jr. followed that 120-yard effort with a fumble and just 25 yards in his encore, it did cast a dark cloud. Ty Davis-Price made a one-snap cameo (at fullback) in Atlanta after missing a stretch with a high ankle sprain, so not rushing him into the rushing mix is understandable. Ty’s time will come.

F*** turf. (andrea_zepeda10)

Atlanta’s, ahem, FieldTurf did not draw the 49ers’ injury-blaming wrath like Carolina’s did a week earlier. The 49ers have two games left on synthetic grass: Oct. 30 at the Los Angeles Rams and Dec. 15 at Seattle. Aside from the 49ers’ history of knee injuries on synthetic surfaces, George Kittle said bodies are “twice as sore in your joints” from the less-forgiving fake turf. Ice up, men.

What are our chances for a win? (@blondbaddass)

The 49ers opened as 2 ½-point home underdogs to the Chiefs, according to BetOnline.ag. It’s the first time this season the 49ers have not been favored. They’re 3-3 against the spread.

Remember when the Giants barely made it in the playoffs and then won the Super Bowl? #Hope. (@i.am_joseph.m)

With 11 games to go, you’re right, plenty of hope remakns. PS: @Are.You.Joseph Montana?