Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Report-card grades & analysis from Weeks 1 through 4

By Peter Panacy

CARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne #84 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after a touchdown in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne #84 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after a touchdown in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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CARSON, CA – SEPTEMBER 30: Head coach Kyle Shanahan talks with quarterback C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA – SEPTEMBER 30: Head coach Kyle Shanahan talks with quarterback C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

With one quarter of the 2018 season in the books, Niner Noise dishes out report-card grades for the San Francisco 49ers, who finish the stretch 1-3 amid a slew of injuries and setbacks.

In all reality, the San Francisco 49ers were likely going to struggle over the first quarter of the 2018 season. After all, they had three road games — all against teams many viewed to be legit playoff contenders this year.

So it shouldn’t be too big a surprise the Niners now find themselves 1-3 on the young season.

Yet it’s how head coach Kyle Shanahan’s squad reached this record that should be a cause for concern. In all four games, San Francisco had chances to win or were beset by multiple self-inflicted mistakes.

And then there have been the injuries.

An ominous sign was losing running back Jerick McKinnon to a season-ending ACL injury just before Week 1. Then the same injury to franchise quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in Week 3. Cornerback Richard Sherman has been banged up, along with starting strong safety Jaquiski Tartt. Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin missed time with a quad injury. And now it looks as if left tackle Joe Staley (knee) will join what has turned into a lengthy 49ers injury report.

These injuries have tested the Niners depth, which wasn’t great coming into the season. But that doesn’t entirely explain some of the bigger pressing issues San Francisco is dealing with. Namely the complete lack of an outside pass rush and more-than-problematic tackling.

Yes, the defense has been suspect in more than a few areas this season. And it’s one of the reasons why coordinator Robert Saleh’s unit ranked 27th in scoring prior to its Week 4 29-27 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

Since we’ve reached the quarter mark of the season, let’s dish out positional report-card grades for each unit and break down what’s gone well and what needs improvement in coming weeks.

Starting off with special teams.