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49ers vs. Seahawks: Week 10 Monday Night Football preview for San Francisco

By Elvis Jerez

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 26: Doug Baldwin #75 of the Seattle Seahawks is tackled by Eric Reid #35 of the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 26: Doug Baldwin #75 of the Seattle Seahawks is tackled by Eric Reid #35 of the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 07: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after catching a touchdown pass against the Cleveland Browns during the third quarter of an NFL football game at Levi’s Stadium on October 07, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. The 49ers won the game 31-3. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 07: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after catching a touchdown pass against the Cleveland Browns during the third quarter of an NFL football game at Levi’s Stadium on October 07, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. The 49ers won the game 31-3. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Critical Injuries

Football is a tough game and injuries are a part of it. This week, there’s bad news and good news.

The Bad

First, the Seahawks have zero starting players on the injury report as of Sunday morning. Zero. You better believe they’ll come to town firing on all cylinders.

Second, the three most critical injuries for the 49ers in Week 10 are linebacker Kwon Alexander (torn pectoral) who is out for the season, star kicker Robbie Gould (quad) doubtful and monster tight end George Kittle (ankle, knee) doubtful.

All three of these guys are game changers at their respective positions, so going into Week 10 lacking their services will surely put the Niners at a disadvantage against this tough divisional opponent.

The Good

The 49ers welcome fullback Kyle Juszczyk, running back Matt Breida, EDGE Dee Ford to the starting lineup, while star tackles Mike McGlinchey and Joe Staley, and cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon are all on the right side of suiting up.

Juszczyk and Brieda can restore the 49ers’ outside-zone run, Ford and opposing EDGE, Nick Bosa, can give Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson a proper introduction, while McGlinchey and Staley will keep 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo upright in the pocket.

Witherspoon would see action for the first time since Week 3, and he looked ready during practice earlier this week:

Since Gould might be out this week, the 49ers signed kicker Chase McLaughlin. He’s played four games with the Los Angeles Chargers during Weeks 5 through 8 this season and put together 7 of 7 points after a score and 6-of-9 field goals. While McLaughlin’s longest field goal came from 50 yards out, the three he missed were in the 40- to 49-yard range.

A win for San Francisco is well within reach, but it’s not wise to completely rule out the Seahawks. What are the implications of either outcome?