49ers lose another player to season-ending injury. Receiver Marquise Goodwin put on IR
Marquise Goodwin’s 5-yard catch in the second half of the Nov. 17 home victory over the Arizona Cardinals will be his last of the season.
The 49ers on Tuesday placed the veteran receiver on season-ending injured reserve, as recent foot and knee injuries kept him sidelined for the recent victory over the New Orleans Saints.
“He’s dealing with some chronic stuff. We’re evaluating treatment options right now,” coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday.
Goodwin’s campaign included just 12 catches for 186 yards and a touchdown in nine games. Playing time has been hard for him to come by after the addition of Emmanuel Sanders in a late-October trade paired with the emergence of rookie Deebo Samuel and third-year pro Kendrick Bourne, who scored two touchdowns Sunday.
Goodwin first showed up on the injury report last Friday as the team wrapped its practice week at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. He previously wasn’t listed, which raised some eyebrows surrounding his status, before being tabbed questionable to play in New Orleans.
“He’s had some wear and tear, some chronic stuff and then it just flamed up enough that we had to list it today, so when we do that, it’s questionable,” Shanahan said.
It’s fair to wonder if Goodwin has played his last game with the 49ers. He has a non-guaranteed $5.125 million salary for 2020 while the front office has important decisions to make surrounding some of the team’s best players and free agents. The 49ers are expected to have some $24 million in cap space for next season, according to Overthecap.com, but would likely need to create more.
Defensive lineman Arik Armstead headlines the team’s looming free agents and could be a franchise tag candidate, which would cost some $19 million. Sanders is unsigned beyond this year and has been a crucial addition to the offense. He’s made clear he enjoys his new surroundings since being acquired for 2020 third- and fourth-round draft picks. Sanders is slated to make more than $10 million this season.
Additionally, the 49ers must consider new contracts for defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and tight end George Kittle as they enter the final year of their rookie deals in 2020. Buckner will be entering his fifth-year option season while Kittle will be eligible for an extension for the first time. Both players, particularly Kittle, could get market-setting contracts for their positions.
Goodwin signed a three-year, $18.85 million extension in March 2018. It came on the heels of the most productive season of his career when he recorded 962 yards on 52 catches, which included playing well late in the season after quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was acquired in the trade from the New England Patriots.
Goodwin was placed on injured reserve a day after the team announced starting center Weston Richburg would be lost for the year after tearing his patellar tendon in his right knee against the Saints.
This story was originally published December 10, 2019 at 2:57 PM.
