A banged-up SF 49ers squad could look a lot different when they play the NY Giants in Week 2, injuries being the prime reason for the shakeups.
The SF 49ers have plenty of good reasons to curse MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
And the worst part? They’ll have to play there again in Week 3, this time against the New York Giants after head coach Kyle Shanahan’s squad upended the New York Jets 31-13 in Week 2.
Despite the Niners’ first win of the season, Week 2 felt more like a defeat in so many other areas. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo suffered a high-ankle sprain in the first half and was ruled out after halftime. It’s highly unlikely he suits up for San Francisco’s next game versus the 0-2 Giants.
Running backs Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman also suffered knee injuries, too, putting an even greater strain on the SF 49ers offense which was already without tight end George Kittle (knee) in Week 2.
But the biggest injuries were suffered by defensive linemen Nick Bosa and Solomon Thomas, who are believed to have suffered season-ending ACL tears on nearly back-to-back plays in the first half.
Devastating blows. And even more devastating, considering the Niners roster and depth chart was already banged up heading into Week 2. Already without wide receiver Deebo Samuel (foot) and cornerback Richard Sherman (leg), both of whom are on short-term injured reserve, Shanahan and Co. will have to put together a starting lineup against the Giants that’ll likely look anything but what fans were hoping to see for the vast duration of 2020.
Yes, the starters will look a lot different for Week 3.
With these unfortunate circumstances as a backdrop, Niner Noise estimates what San Francisco’s starting lineup for Week 3 will be against the Giants.