49ers snap counts and other tidbits from 20-10 loss to Cardinals
By Peter Panacy
Niner Noise looks at the San Francisco 49ers’ snap counts and other tidbits of relevant information stemming from the team’s 20-10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 9.
San Francisco 49ers rookie linebacker Reuben Foster finished the first game in his NFL career in Week 9 against the Arizona Cardinals, although it was in a losing effort as the Niners fell 20-10 to their NFC West division rivals.
“I feel great. I feel blessed,” Foster said later, via Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area. “I am not injured or hurting. I feel good. I just want to go out there and do it for the fellas.
Foster, of course, suffered a high-ankle sprain 11 snaps into his pro career back in Week 1. A ribs injury suffered during his Week 7 return forced him to miss the following game, finally returning against Arizona.
San Francisco 49ers
Injuries have certainly played a role during head coach Kyle Shanahan’s first year, and Sunday was no different. One of the key injuries suffered was safety Jaquiski Tartt’s broken arm, putting him on season-ending injured reserve.
This does, however, open up the door for younger players to see more playing time. And that was reflected in the snap counts, as compiled by Maiocco:
"OFFENSE (74 plays)Quarterback – C.J. Beathard 74Running back – Carlos Hyde 56, Matt Breida 17, Kyle Juszczyk 17, Raheem Mostert 1Wide receiver – Marquise Goodwin 67, Aldrick Robinson 62, Kendrick Bourne 40, Trent Taylor 15, Victor Bolden 6Tight end – Garrett Celek 55, George Kittle 33Offensive line – Brandon Fusco 74, Laken Tomlinson 74, Trent Brown 74, Erik Magnuson 74, Daniel Kilgore 73, Zane Beadles 2DEFENSE(77 plays)Defensive line – DeForest Buckner 64, Leger Douzable 56, Earl Mitchell 48, Datone Jones 41, Ronald Blair 39, Tony McDaniel 17, Elvis Dumervil 15Linebacker – Reuben Foster 75, Brock Coyle 64, Eli Harold 52, Dekoda Watson 15, Mark Nzeocha 2, Ray-Ray Armstrong 1Cornerback – Dontae Johnson 77, Ahkello Witherspoon 77, Leon Hall 36, Greg Mabin 1Safety – Eric Reid 77, Adrian Colbert 62, Jaquiski Tartt 19, Dexter McCoil 8SPECIAL TEAMS(33 plays)Watson 27, Armstrong 22, Mostert 22, Nzeocha 22, Harold 21, Bolden 18, Coyle 17, McCoil 17, Bradley Pinion 13, Johnson 11, Kyle Nelson 10, Andy Lee 9, Blair 9, Breida 9, Mabin 9, Bourne 7, Reid 7, Buckner 7, Jones 7, Juszczyk 6, Witherspoon 5, Coyle 5, Douzable 5, Mitchell 5, Taylor 4, Celek 4, Tartt 4, Robbie Gould 2, Cole Hikutini 2, Darrell Williams 2, Fusco 2, Tomlinson 2, Brown 2, Kilgore 2, Beadles 2, Hall 1"
Younger 49ers See More Playing Time
This was an argument made here at Niner Noise prior to Week 9, but the flurry of injuries and overall status of the team mandates younger players should see an increase in snaps between now and the end of season.
Related Story: 10 49ers who should see more playing time over rest of 2017
Part of it is due to necessity, but San Francisco has nothing left to play for this season aside from pride and the ongoing evaluation for what’s needed in 2018.
The case study would be with Tartt, who was replaced by rookie defensive back Adrian Colbert following the veteran’s injury. Colbert had himself a decent game, registering five tackles and one pass breakup. It’s likely he’ll remain in the starting lineup for the rest of 2017.
Another example is rookie wideout Kendrick Bourne, who hauled in his first NFL receptions Sunday to the tune of 39 yards. With No. 1 wideout Pierre Garçon (neck) out for the year, Bourne should be starting opposite Marquise Goodwin.
No Jimmy Garoppolo Until… Week 1 of 2018?
Newly acquired quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was dressed and active for Week 9 but didn’t get into the game.
This more than makes sense, as he’s had less than a week to learn the playbook. And considering all the woes San Francisco’s offensive line is going through right now, putting this new investment into the fray is about the worst thing the Niners could do.
Case in point, starting quarterback C.J. Beathard was sacked five times and suffered 16 quarterback hits. Exposing Garoppolo to that kind of wear and tear while he’s still learning the system would be downright cruel.
San Francisco’s O-line problems aren’t likely to be solved anytime soon. Yes, left tackle Joe Staley (eye) could easily return after the team’s Week 11 bye, but that doesn’t address the interior O-line shortcomings. That’s a problem left for this offseason, which could easily mean Garoppolo doesn’t see the field until next year.
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That’s probably a good thing, in all honesty.
Meanwhile, the winless 49ers have the unfortunate luxury of being the first team this season to reach nine losses. Sure, there’s a chance they end this less-than-desirable streak at home against the lowly New York Giants in Week 10.
Next: Cardinals vs. 49ers: Full Week 9 grades for San Francisco
But the Niners have certainly shown nothing comes easy this season. A win this upcoming weekend won’t be easy either.