5 reasons the 49ers should be considered playoff contenders in 2019

No. 4: Going into the 2019 season, the 49ers should be at 100 percent

There was perhaps nothing that caused more fanbase heartache during the 2018 season than injury.

It began in training camp when Jerick McKinnon, who was signed during the offseason to a lucrative contract, tore his ACL. That was followed by Jimmy Garoppolo doing the same in Week 3 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

San Francisco 49ers

Both were lost for the season.

The M.A.S.H. unit remained busy throughout the season. The safety position became a revolving door. The 49ers had seven different players start at either strong or free safety during the year. Cornerback Richard Sherman was probably never 100 percent coming off Achilles surgery in 2017. Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon battled leg injuries all season, and that is just the list of defensive players.

By season’s end the Niners were starting what was essentially their sixth-string running back. Wide receivers Pierre Garcon and Marquise Goodwin couldn’t stay on the field and only got into eight and 11 games, respectively. Neither being effective.

While there is a certain amount of randomness that must be accepted with injury, when a team is plagued like the 49ers have been over the last two years, management has to dig deeper. There will be a new strength and conditioning coach for 2019.

Making the right hire will be key to keeping the teams best players on the field and winning games.