49ers Dee Ford: ‘At some point you just got to go’

Dee Ford didn’t speak to the media last week before making his return to the lineup from a bothersome hamstring injury against the Vikings. Instead, the talented pass rusher opted for extended treatment from the medical staff after returning to practice for the first time since before the Week 14 game against the New Orleans Saints.

Ford was listed as questionable to play last week. Though his decision not to address reporters, after promising to minutes earlier, raised some eyebrows and caused some to wonder about his status for the game against Minnesota.

A week later, there are no questions about Ford’s status heading into the NFC Championship Game against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. And Ford was back at his locker answering questions Friday following his strong performance in his return from the injury.

“I felt good last week, I feel good this week,” said Ford, who wasn’t listed on the injury report and will be available Sunday.

Ford wasn’t taking it easy when it came to practice this week because he wanted to make sure hamstring was healthy to respond how he needed to Sunday.

“Practice is a good indication of what you’re going to feel on game day. At some point you just got to go,” he said.

Ford had one of the 49ers’ six sacks of Kirk Cousins and it came a crucial time. He brought Cousins down late in the second quarter following Jimmy Garoppolo’s interception that allowed Minnesota to take over at San Francisco’s 31-yard line.

Ford’s takedown of Cousins came as he lined up against left guard Pat Elflein, which was a new wrinkle for the game. Ford is the team’s quickest pass rusher and spent the vast majority of his reps this season lining up outside to use his burst against offensive tackles.

His athleticism on the inside gives him a distinct advantage against guards, which could be something the 49ers try against the Packers to allow Ford shots against guards Billy Turner or Elgton Jenkins rather than premier tackles, Brian Bulaga and David Bakhtiari.

“As rushers, you want to be able to move around. Some can, some can’t,” Ford said. “But we have guys who can, so it’s just an added advantage for us going against guards. They don’t like space. They don’t like guys who can move. It’s a mismatch for us.”

Ford lined up on the same side as Nick Bosa, and the two spend their practices later in the work on their chemistry so they work stunts and other two-man games to get to the passer.

“Friday’s usually when we hit all our third-down stuff,” Bosa said. “Obviously it’s not full speed today, but just getting everything ironed out, knowing exactly where the linemen are going to go. Just getting everything perfect.”

Ford was asked about last season’s AFC Championship Game when he was a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. He had a crucial penalty late in the game that could have cost his club a chance at the Super Bowl.

Ford was flagged for lining up offsides on a play that negated a Tom Brady interception. When Ford on Friday was asked about that play, he just shook his head indicating it hasn’t been on his mind this week or at any other point during the season.

“(This is) a special situation,” he said. “I’m blessed. Looking forward to better results.”

Ford was also asked about the chance to play his former team in the Super Bowl two weeks from Sunday, assuming Kansas City beats the Tennessee Titans at home on Sunday and the 49ers take care of business against the Packers.

“That would be a fun deal,” Ford said. “(But) nobody’s looking forward. They got a good test in front of them, we got a good test in front of us. We got a lot of work in front of us.”

This story was originally published January 17, 2020 at 7:05 PM.