What we’re learning Wednesday at 49ers HQ ahead of visit to Los Angeles Rams
SANTA CLARA — Playing short-handed amid the COVID-19 pandemic, compounded by injuries to several stars, is the 49ers’ tough but not unique task this season.
“That’s the 2020 season for you, a lot of unknown stuff happening and the only thing you can do is adjust to it,” running back Jerick McKinnon said. “It’s the new norm.”
How might Sunday’s game at the Los Angeles Rams be affected by the 49ers ushering nine players onto the NFL’s COVID-19 reserve since last week?
Well, Wednesday’s practice players moonlighting on the other side of the ball for scout-team purposes. But at least the 49ers did activate two players off that COVID-19 reserve list before practice: defensive lineman Arik Armstead and center Hroniss Grasu.
“It doesn’t look like it’s getting worse, at least in the building,” coach Kyle Shanahan said.
That leaves seven 49ers on the COVID-19 reserve list, as many as Baltimore Ravens who’ve actually tested positive and prompted their game at Pittsburgh to move from Thursday night to Sunday.
A 49ers-Rams postponement seems unlikely, but perhaps it’s more in play than three weeks ago, when the NFL forced the 49ers to host the Green Bay Packers on a Thursday night. The 49ers had four players on COVID-19 reserve list a day earlier as a precaution; all four players were cleared the next day after Kendrick Bourne’s negative tests followed a positive one.
As the coronavirus pandemic surges again across the country, the NFL is adjusting on the fly, and league spokesman Brian McCarthy noted that every situation varies depending upon the facts.
In terms of the 49ers’ Nov. 5 loss against the Packers, the NFL said it was able to “identify and isolate the few cases and were confident that there was no longer concern for more spread among either team.” (A Packers player did test positive after the game, prompting both teams to enter the NFL’s intensive protocol for COVID-19 prevention.)
In terms of Baltimore’s situation, the NFL is delaying it three days in hopes it “gives us more testing time and provides greater comfort and certainty than playing tomorrow when there could be additional issues that could affect both the Ravens and Steelers and the rest of their seasons.”
Once Armstead went on the NFL’s COVID-19 reserve list a day after their last game — a Nov. 15 loss at New Orleans — eight teammates joined him on that list, including fellow defensive linemen Javon Kinlaw, D.J. Jones and Jordan Willis.
Shanahan is not counting on all the other COVID-19 reserve players to be available Sunday, and he’s having to move available players into new roles to fill holes. Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said scout-team looks this week may, for instance, mean a fullback has to come over and line up at defensive end.
Left tackle Trent Williams went on the COVID-19 reserve list with a positive test last week. Said Shanahan: “He’s been in communication and I’ve seen him on Zoom meetings. I’m sure he’s doing all right but trying to get healthy and get back as soon as he can.”
The 49ers already know the potential perils of Williams’ absence. When he missed the Nov. 5 loss to the Green Bay Packers, Justin Skule replaced him in the lineup and got beat on Nick Mullens’ two turnovers (interception; strip-sack fumble).
Others on the list are wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, linebacker Joe Walker and tight end Daniel Helm.
“This entire year has been trying to overcome adversity in all facets, whether it’s injuries or guys on the COVID list. It’s just stuff you can’t really control,” linebacker Fred Warner said. “When guys are back, that will help our team, but you have to focus on the guys we have available.”
Added McKinnon: “To be honest, it’s not different than a guy getting injured; the next guy has to step in and make plays.”
What if the 49ers defensive line misses players to the COVID list for the first time this season? Kinlaw and Jones are starters, as are Armstead and Kerry Hyder Jr., who has a team-high 5 1/2 sacks.
The only other three defensive linemen currently on the active roster are Dion Jordan, Kevin Givens and Kentavius Street. Four defensive linemen await on the practice squad for their potential promotion: Alex Barrett, Josiah Coatney, Darrion Daniels and Willie Henry Jr.
“It’s going to be a challenge, obviously. We have to be creative and make sure guys are taken care of,” Saleh said. “We do have to have some guys do things they’re not normally asked to do, just for today.”
That pool of reserves is what the NFL banked on bailing teams out for game days amid COVID-19 outbreaks, having expanded practice squads from 10 to 16 players with those six extra spots open for veterans.
Last week, the Rams had their first positive test among players this season, prompting three practice squad players to go on COVID-19 reserve.
RUNNING BACKS SPOTTED
Running backs Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. are practicing for the first time since their high ankle sprains last month. On Tuesday, the 49ers opened their three-week evaluation window to activate them off injured reserve.
Tevin Coleman also is practicing for the first time since aggravating a knee sprain Nov. 1, and wide receiver Deebo Samuel is doing the same in limited fashion after missing the past three games with a hamstring strain.
SECONDARY SHUFFLE
Cornerback Richard Sherman is on track for his first action since the season opener, and, if all goes well in practice this week, he will return to the starting lineup in a full-time role, Shanahan said.
Sherman likely will start along with Jason Verrett, but don’t rule out Emmanuel Moseley from seeing significant action as a slot cornerback against the Rams’ frequent use of multiple wide receivers. Jamar Taylor also will have a role in pass coverage in place of nickel back K’Waun Williams.
Williams’ two-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs has been rescinded based on testing issues, the NFL Network reported. However, Williams remains out two to three weeks because of an ankle sprain, Shanahan said.
BYE-WEEK USE
Unlike last season’s Week 4 bye, having one after the season’s midway point was more useful. Warner said: “I feel we used the bye week wisely to get our bodies right and I feel we needed it. We’re excited to get going again. Guys are fresh and we’re hungry to get back to being competitive and winning ballgames.”