Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: 10 Best & Worst Case Scenarios for the 2016 Season

By Peter Panacy

Oct 18, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers free safety Eric Reid (35) jumps up with cornerback Tramaine Brock (26) to break up the pass intended for Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith (89) on the final play during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Baltimore Ravens 25-20. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers free safety Eric Reid (35) jumps up with cornerback Tramaine Brock (26) to break up the pass intended for Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith (89) on the final play during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Baltimore Ravens 25-20. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 11
Next
Nov 22, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Glenn Dorsey (90) is carted off during the first quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated San Francisco, 29-13. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Glenn Dorsey (90) is carted off during the first quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated San Francisco, 29-13. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 10: The Injury Bug

No best-or-worst scenario breakdown would be complete without the worry and concern over injuries.

Injuries are just as much a part of the NFL as the football itself. And every team, no matter its depth, is immune to an injury or two completely derailing its chances. The 49ers, and every other squad, have tried to account for this by bulking up rosters and stocking up at positions where injuries tend to be most common.

But let’s get this overriding situation out of the way right off the bat, and you can throw in the injury bug onto nearly every slide here on out.

Best-Case Scenario

The 49ers will suffer some injuries this year. And one can look at players with a history of injuries as being the most prone. For example, nose tackle Ian Williams (ankle) enjoyed his first fully healthy season at the pro level last year. And he may not even be ready to go for the start of 2016.

But a best-case scenario would be for San Francisco to endure relatively few long-term and/or extensive injuries, and especially ones for big-impact players.

Worst-Case Scenario

On the flip side, even just one injury can destroy a team’s chances. Take a look at the Dallas Cowboys from last year and the injury suffered by quarterback Tony Romo.

The 49ers don’t exactly have one bona fide impact player who will make, or break, a season. But there are more than a few guys whose potential injury concerns might render San Francisco’s 2016 campaign disastrous.

Even worse would be if an entire unit like, let’s say, the offensive or defensive line is ravaged by injuries. And the depth just can’t rise to the challenge.

Next: No. 9: Carlos Hyde's 2016 Campaign