SF 49ers: 4 painful realities over first half of 2020
By Tee Epps
The SF 49ers limped through the first half of 2020, quite literally, with a 4-5 record, learning these tough realities over that stretch.
The SF 49ers traveled to CenturyLink Field for their Week 8 matchup versus the division-leading Seattle Seahawks, ultimately losing that road bout in an ugly 37-27 loss where the score made it seem closer than the game actually was.
Although their bodies were able to physically board the plane and make the trip, I strongly believe the juice needed to fuel these vessels were completely empty.
Then, following that game where the Niners lost quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and tight end George Kittle to likely season-ending injuries, the SF 49ers were forced to play both shorthanded and on a short week against the visiting Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football in Week 9.
Not surprisingly, that game didn’t go well either. San Francisco lost yet another bout, falling 34-17 in prime time and going down to a 4-5 record just beyond the halfway point of the 2020 season.
After suffering these two demoralizing losses, it got me thinking about the four biggest disappointments over first half of 2020.
Here they are.
No. 4: SF 49ers’ overall team health
Anyone who monitors sports understands just how much injuries can affect a team. But for the SF 49ers, it seems like a dark cloud has been hovering over them since training camp.
The roster has been depleted over the first nine weeks of the season, and that trend doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. One could make the argument San Francisco’s current list of injured players on one of the numerous reserve lists could make a playoff push on its own, if healthy.
Nevertheless, there’s still much work to be done with only half a season left to play and injuries continuing to be problematic for the Niners.
Garoppolo’s re-injured ankle at least allows some long evaluation time for No. 2 quarterback Nick Mullens, while Kittle’s foot injury puts backup tight ends Jordan Reed and Ross Dwelley into the spotlight.
Still, at the current rate, San Francisco losing players to injury drastically hinders this team to compete at full strength until 2021.