The San Francisco 49ers went into Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys without starting cornerback Jason Verrett, who was inactive due to an illness. Emmanuel Moseley returned after being inactive the last two games. K'Waun Williams returned after being inactive for the last four.
How did cornerback Richard Sherman, who may be playing in his final games for the 49ers, feel things went for the defense that went through some changes since its last outing?
"It went good. We had a few plays we wanted back," Sherman responded. "I had some tackles that I've got to get down. But overall, we played really solid. We played sound. Obviously, you've always got a few plays you want back, and you want to look at the film, but those guys came in and did a really good job.
"[Emmanuel Moseley] came into a new spot. He did a really good job. When [Jimmie Ward] went down, [Marcell Harris] came in and played good football. It was a tough spot. We were really short on DBs."
The 49ers appear to be out of the playoff hunt, a formality that may become official after the later games. Sherman was asked how being eliminated might impact the team's effort in the coming weeks.
"It's tough because obviously, you start the season, your goal is to get to the playoffs," Sherman said. "I know we had high expectations this year, but the way the year has gone, it's really been difficult. It's been injury after injury.
"Guys are staying positive as best you can. All you can do is keep fighting, and I think we've got the right guys in the room, and we'll keep fighting until the season's done."
Sherman doesn't excuse himself for Sunday's loss. The cornerback knows he could have played better too.
"Unfortunately, today, me especially, I didn't execute my job at the highest level," Sherman said, "and there's no excuse for that. I've got to get those guys tackled. I've got to get my feet under me. We've got to make the plays that need to be made.
"It is what it is. The circumstances are what they are. There's no need to really comment on them because they aren't changing. Complaining isn't going to make it better or worse, so we're going to make the best of it. That's all we can do."
