SF 49ers: 5 moments where things all went wrong in 2020
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: SF 49ers lose Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson to injuries
There are plenty of notable injuries to cite as problematic for San Francisco over the course of 2020.
Yet two crucial under-the-radar losses suffered midway through the year stand out in contrast to many of the others: running backs Raheem Mostert (ankle, knee) and Jeff Wilson Jr. (ankle) being lost for extended periods of time in the middle of the season.
Let’s cite the three-game stretch between Weeks 8 and 10 when the SF 49ers were slated to play the Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints, respectively. The week before, Wilson had been a three-touchdown force in relief of the injured Mostert in the win over the New England Patriots, pushing the Niners to a 4-3 record on the season.
But with Wilson and Mostert out to kick off that tough three-game stretch against top-finishing playoff teams, San Francisco would need a prolific rushing attack to maintain possession and stave off a lopsided defeat.
It didn’t happen.
While relying heavily on depth running backs like Jerick McKinnon and JaMycal Hasty, the results on the ground during those games wasn’t impressive. Over that three-game stretch, the SF 49ers recorded team rushing totals of 52, 55 and 49 yards.
Not good. And also not surprising the SF 49ers lost all three of those bouts in ugly fashion.