49ers wide receiver Joshua Morgan’s season ended when he was placed on injured reserve after breaking his lower leg week 5 vs. the Bucs. It was the worst possible time in Morgan’s otherwise healthy career for an injury like this to occur, during his contract year. Morgan is set for free agency at season’s end and after the team acquired WR Braylon Edwards many thought his days as a starter were over. But that was before the barrage of injuries to the WR core Morgan started every game through week 5 and was enjoying his best start to his career as the 49ers leading receiver (among the WRs, TE Vernon Davis is the teams overall leading receiver).

Shortly after the injury head coach Jim Harbaugh said in a rare candid statement that re-signing Morgan would be a priority this offseason. I’m a big fan of Morgan and despite the team having Michael Crabtree and Edwards who are both superior to Morgan he is one of the hardest working and better blocking WRs in the entire NFL an underrated skill.   Morgan a former 6th round pick out of Virginia Tech is starting to emerge and has good chemistry with QB Alex Smith.  Morgan will not receive long term offers or any high dollar short term offers from other teams due to the injury making it relatively easy for the 49ers to re-sign him if that’s in fact what they plan to do.   However, if a free agent happy team like the Redskins offers him a multiyear deal or big money in the short term I think the 49ers would be wise to pass. Don’t get me wrong Morgan is a nice player but he’s not worth big money and is easily replaceable. Should the 49ers bring Joshua Morgan back this offseason?  YOU DECIDE!

 
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This week the injury report looks more like the probable report for the 49ers with 8 players listed under that category. Mike Iupati gave the team a scare this week as he has been limited in practice with a neck injury. Iupati’s departure from the lineup would likely mean Adam Snyder would move to left guard with Chilo Rachal returning to the lineup at right guard. Against a great Detriot Lions defensive line that very well could have spelled disaster for the 49ers. It also looks as if nose tackle/fullback Isaac Sopoaga will return to the lineup this week after sitting last week out with a staph infection and possible arm injury.
Here’s a look at the full injury report for the 49ers and Lions:

49ers
Out
WR Braylon Edwards (knee)
FB Moran Norris (fibula)
CB Tramaine Brock (hand)

Probable
LB Navorro Bowman (neck)
WR Michael Crabtree (feet)
WR Ted Ginn (finger)
S Dashon Goldson (knee)
G Mike Iupati (knee)
G Adam Snyder (forearm)
DT Isaac Sopoaga (infection)
CB Shawntae Spencer (toe)
Lions report on page 2

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Sunday’s thrilling comeback victory on the road vs. the Philadelphia Eagles was a huge statement game in so many ways for the 3-1 San Francisco 49ers. On the road in arguably the most hostile environment in the NFL the offensive line and QB Alex Smith would be challenged all day. The offense had to do better on 3rd downs something very tough to do vs a strong Philadelphia defensive backfield that features 3 pro bowl Cornerbacks. Not to mention the defense had to contain QB Michael Vick and the Eagles stable of playmakers not an easy day for the 49ers.

I had the good fortunes of being in attendance in Philadelphia along with me went my wife and a notepad (I’m a hopeless romantic). Here some key takeaways from the game. Don’t forget to comment at the end and share your observations of the 49ers week 4 game.

Andy Lee is Human: 49er fans have grown accustomed to having one of the leagues top punters for quite some time now and I cannot remember Lee having a game this bad. Lee shanked his first 2 punts giving the Eagles good starting field position on their first 2 possessions. Lee was visibly upset on the filed and on the sidelines after both kicks.

Jim Harbaugh is EXTREMELY active on the sidelines: I absolutely loved watching Jim during warm-ups and after each and every possession. He’s one of the first go congratulate the players, he talks to Alex Smith and even the other QBs ALOT. Talks to the other coaches all the time and is out on the field in the referees ears all game long. I thought this was Harbaugh’s strongest game as an NFL head coach. He did a great job with is 2nd half adjustments, made some gutsy calls late in the game and threw the challenge flag and used his timeouts wisely.
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