4 looming questions 49ers must answer in Week 9 vs. Cardinals

Tight end George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)
Tight end George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) /
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Colt McCoy, Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Colt Mccoy (12) Mandatory Credit: Billy Hardiman-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2: Can 49ers make life hell on Cardinals QB Colt McCoy?

If Kyler Murray isn’t able to go on Sunday, Arizona will have to turn to its backup quarterback, journeyman veteran Colt McCoy, who hasn’t started a game since 2020 when he was a member of the New York Giants.

Not even having attempted a regular-season pass this season, McCoy enters the contest with a career 60.7 completion percentage, 30 passing touchdowns against 28 interceptions, 6,455 passing yards, 94 sacks taken and a 78.1 passer rating.

Needless to say, the 49ers can ill-afford to have a contingent option like McCoy pick their defense apart.

There are still looming questions within the secondary. Both safeties, Jimmie Ward and Jaquiski Tartt, are dealing with injuries and will be out of action. The cornerback concerns haven’t gone away either.

Yet these issues may be somewhat negated by a solid Niners pass rush, as well as the realization McCoy falls well short of being able to deliver the kind of impact Murray would otherwise have.