Niner Noise
FanSided

Biggest winners, losers from 49ers nail-biting Week 14 win vs. Saints

By Peter Panacy

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 08: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints during the third quarter in the game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on December 08, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 08: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints during the third quarter in the game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on December 08, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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Marcell Harris, 49ers
Marcell Harris #36 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Loser: Safety Marcell Harris

The 49ers lost starting strong safety Jaquiski Tartt to a ribs injury in Week 13, and his absence was felt in New Orleans, too.

In his place, the Niners elected to start second-year safety Marcell Harris, who managed to force a fumble for the second consecutive game, which was nice. But Harris was also heavily involved in giving up some of the Saints’ early touchdowns, including this missed tackle on New Orleans tight end Jared Cook:

Harris was known for being a much more effective run stopper in college back at Florida, and it’s looking to be the case his coverage skills are just as big a liability at the pro level, too.

As a backup, Harris is still a good commodity to have.

But it doesn’t change the fact the 49ers sorely missed Tartt in this contest, and they didn’t get the production they were hoping for from Harris.