49ers notebook: Nick Mullens to start at QB; George Kittle and Deebo Samuel to return
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will miss the 49ers’ Sunday night’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles (0-2-1) due to a high right ankle sprain, the team announced Friday, meaning Nick Mullens will get his second consecutive start.
For Mullens, it will be a chance to build off his 343-yard performance in last week’s blowout against the New York Giants. Meanwhile, San Francisco (2-1) will have two key offensive players back: tight end George Kittle and receiver Deebo Samuel.
“They’re two great play makers on this football team,” Mullens said on a Zoom call Friday. “And even getting on the practice field this week, you’re quickly reminded about their speed. They’re so fast in every practice rep and every game rep, and we’re going to love to have their speed, physicality, and mindset back on the field this week. Pumped for those guys that they’re finally healthy.”
Without those two last week, Mullens put together his ninth start with at least 220 yards to tie Joe Montana’s franchise record. He’s averaged 291 yards in his starts dating to 2018, when he made eight starts after Garoppolo went down with a season-ending ACL tear early in the season.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan said this week Garoppolo would have needed to return to practice to prove he could move around and protect himself on his balky plant ankle. But Garoppolo missed all three practices this week and the team determined it would be best to go with Mullens to allow Garoppolo time to heal.
Shanahan was asked Friday if the team felt less urgency to get Garoppolo back given there are 13 games remaining in the regular season.
“Anyone who’s been in this league, you remind them that this game is just as important as Week 16. So it has more to do with, can they protect themselves? Are they risking a long term injuries doing it?” Shanahan said. “When it is the last game of the year, it’s a little bit different. There’s a lot of games, but it’s too competitive to look at it that way. So we got to be smart with the guys. If Jimmy could have played this week, he’d be out there.”
Kittle hasn’t played since the season-opening loss to the Arizona Cardinals. He sprained his left knee after taking an awkward hit from safety Budda Baker. Samuel suffered a Jones fracture in June and had his practice window opened this week. He will be added to the active roster Saturday, when the team is expected to place tight end Jordan Reed and pass rusher Dee Ford on injured reserve.
The injury caused Samuel to miss all of training camp as he was expected to take a significant leap following his promising rookie campaign. His return to practice this week and gave the team a noticeable jolt of energy.
“You could feel it on Wednesday,” Shanahan said. “Deebo’s got a personality that everyone gravitates to. He works hard, but he’s a funny guy that guys like to hang around. It was cool to have him out there this week, you could definitely feel a different vibe.”
Said Kittle: “I’m so excited. I love Deebo. The way he plays, I think we play very similar when we get the ball in our hands. It’s just fun to be out there on the field with someone like that.”
49ers down two cornerbacks
While the team is getting key offensive players back, the cornerback group, which hasn’t had Richard Sherman since Week 1, remains banged up. The team on Friday ruled out starter Emmanuel Moseley (concussion) and Ahkello Witherspoon (hamstring). Additionally, slot cornerback K’waun Williams is listed as questionable with a hip injury.
That means San Francisco will likely rely on Jason Verrett and Dontae Johnson as the starting cornerbacks.
If Williams can’t play, Jamar Taylor would likely be the option in the slot. He saw the majority of practice reps during training camp while Williams was dealing with a calf injury and was added to the practice squad Friday. Taylor would have to be promoted to the active roster Saturday.
“Missing K’Waun through most of camp,” said Shanahan, “Jamar had to really help us out with the nickel spot. So he knows that the best. That’s what he’s ready to do right away.”
But even as banged up as the 49ers are at cornerback, the Eagles are in worse shape at receiver. Philadelphia ruled out DeSean Jackson (hamstring) and Alshon Jeffery (foot), and only had one wideout on the active roster practicing Thursday. Their likely options on Sunday will include relative no-names Greg Ward, Deontay Burnett, John Hightower and Quez Watkins. The team’s first-round pick, receiver Jalen Reagor, was recently placed on injured reserve because of a thumb injury that required surgery.
49ers won’t rule out season-ending injury for Dee Ford
San Francisco has lost several players for longer than expected because of back injuries in recent seasons (tight end Garrett Celek and receivers Trent Taylor and Jalen Hurd). Ford might be next on that list.
The quick-twitch pass rusher hasn’t played since Week 1 and there’s been little sign of progress with his latest ailment which led to Shanahan fielding a question as to whether or not Ford’s back injury could cost him the remainder of the season.
“When you’re dealing with the back and things like that, everything’s a concern. Also, that stuff does loosen up just randomly, too. That’s why we’re playing it slow,” Shanahan said. “I just saw him here a little bit in the hallway on my way here. I think he’s doing better than he was a couple of weeks ago, that’s for sure. But it’s something we’ve just got to be smart with and you can’t risk things when you’re dealing with that part of the body.”
With Ford out and Nick Bosa done for the season with a torn ACL, the 49ers will continue to rely on Kerry Hyder with newcomers Dion Jordan and Ezekiel Ansah on the outside. Hyder leads the team with two sacks through three games. Ronald Blair III can return off the physically unable to perform list Week 7 for a road game against the New England Patriots Oct. 25.
▪ The 49ers also ruled out running back Raheem Mostert (knee), linebacker Dre Greenlaw (quadricep). Jerick McKinnon is expected to start at running back while Jeff Wilson Jr., who scored two touchdowns last week, should also have a prominent role. Undrafted rookie JaMycal Hasty could be promoted off the practice squad for a second straight week. Azeez Al-Shaair would likely replace Greenlaw at linebacker.
▪ Philadelphia won’t have cornerbacks Avonte Maddux (ankle) and Trevor Williams (rib). Receiver J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, a Stanford alum, is doubtful with a calf injury. Tackle Jason Peters, who moved to left tackle from right guard in place of Andre Dillard, is questionable with a foot injury.
This story was originally published October 2, 2020 at 3:30 PM.
