The San Francisco 49ers are coming off a big week one win over the Los Angeles Rams, but there's no shortage of questions surrounding this team as they head into week two. We opened the 49ers Webzone Mailbag to get your best 49ers questions. So, let's jump into this week's mailbag and see what was on your mind.
Editor's note: This article was published ahead of Kyle Shanahan's Wednesday press conference, during which the head coach revealed that wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling will miss about 10 weeks and tight end Jake Tonges will miss the remainder of the season.
How much better is our defense with Bosa out there? Also, is it too early to think we have a strong defense this season? I wasn't too impressed with the jetlagged Rams. - Stefan A. (from Sweden)
Stefan, thanks for your question all the way from Sweden. The 49ers defense is noticeably better with Nick Bosa (and Fred Warner). Losing those two players like they did last season was far too much to overcome. Without Bosa, there was zero pass rush. But on Thursday against the Rams, the pass rush was much more prevalent. Bosa doesn't get all the credit, though. Osa Odighizuwa and others deserve some, as well.
Bosa was very good against the run in this game, too. So, yes, the defense is much better with him, and if they can stay relatively healthy, I think they will be a strong unit this season. I love some of the things Raheem Morris did against the Rams offense.
Why not put Stribs on IR? Even if happy with the WR room as is, use his roster spot for other players, depth players, in the meantime? - William
Adam Schefter reported on Wednesday that De'Zhaun Stribling "is being" placed on injured reserve. As some of the team's beat writers are reporting, Stribling has not been placed on IR yet, but that it will happen sometime this week. Either way, Stribling's ankle injury will cause him to miss at least a month, but it could take multiple months for him to be ready. I would expect the 49ers to be cautious, especially given what happened with Ricky Pearsall.
The 49ers are promoting WR KhaDarel Hodge to the active roster. He played last week against the Rams, but that was a standard elevation from the practice squad for that game. Afterward, he reverted to the practice squad.
Any chance we're going to spend and get a viable replacement for Strib? Tyreek Hill is still available. Or make a package trade including BA? - John C.
I'm not sure any team is interested in Brandon Aiyuk. If there are, the 49ers are likely hearing from them. But who would want him right now? Aiyuk has seemingly ruined his career at this point.
Will the 49ers add a wide receiver? They might, but I doubt Tyreek Hill is someone they'd be looking at. There are some free agents available, and if anyone else gets hurt, then we may see one of them. Maybe someone like Darius Slayton.
I think it's too early for a trade. We're just now heading into week two.
How concerned are we that the Rams seemed to rush for 10 yards at a time up the middle early? Obviously an Alfred Collins-sized hole in there. Is Mykel Williams on schedule to be back by week 5/6, or is he a bit away still? - The Greavance
I wouldn't say I'm "very concerned" with the 49ers' run defense, but I am a little concerned. The Rams seemed to be picking up yards on the ground at will. Was it a fluke, a bad matchup, or a sign of things to come?
Hopefully the 49ers can correct that issue. When Mykel Williams returns, he'll help some. Everyone will need to step up. I'm not ready to sound the alarm after one game, just as I'm not ready to proclaim this defense among the best after week one. We'll have to see how it plays out.
I'm not sure when Williams will return. He's on PUP, so he'll miss the first four games. The hope is that he'll return shortly after. Week five or six is still in play.
Would Jack Jones be the solution to having a Safety with center field range who can cover? - Scott B.
Jones is definitely a playmaker. Sometimes the risks he takes will backfire, but he gets a hand on a lot of passes. I like him as a corner for the 49ers.
Could he be the safety the 49ers need? Perhaps. But I wouldn't expect the coaches to make that change right now. The 49ers signed Jones primarily because of his ability to play corner.
That said, I understand the thinking behind the question. I'd love to see the 49ers find their own Earl Thomas. If the issue is wanting a defensive back who can cover and give the defense more flexibility, Jones could help. He's a physical corner with starting experience. But I wouldn't move him to safety just to solve the center-field problem. The 49ers need someone who can play deep safety naturally, read the quarterback, cover a lot of ground, and prevent explosive plays. That's a different skill set from what Jones has been asked to do throughout his career.
Things happen in 3's; Deebo and Dre came back for a reunion with us. What's the likelihood that DeForest Buckner comes back to us in a trade as the 3rd player reuniting with the Niners? - Alim K.
I love that idea. And DeForest Buckner didn't appear very happy after the Indianapolis Colts' loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. It would be nice having him back in red and gold.
The 49ers could trade for a defensive tackle, or some believe they'll trade for a wide receiver or edge rusher. And I wouldn't rule out an addition like Buckner, especially after losing Alfred Collins for the season. But it's so early in the season, I doubt the Colts, or any other team, are ready to be in seller's mode.
But if Indianapolis is willing to move him and the price is reasonable, I'd absolutely make the call. Deebo Samuel, Dre Greenlaw, and DeForest Buckner (the three Ds) back together again would give some 2019 vibes.
What is the answer to backup TE? Do we call up Willis, or do we go out and sign someone? Also, is anyone going to find out how long coach is signed for? - Lowbridge
The 49ers have placed Jake Tonges on IR, but there's still been no word on the severity of his injury. I reached out to 49ers Webzone Editor-in-Chief, David Bonilla, to see if he has heard anything. "The fact that Shanahan said there were other things going on with Tonges' injury made it sound pretty bad," Bonilla told me. "I wouldn't expect him to return this season. But that is just me theorizing."
On Tuesday, the team promoted Brayden Willis, which wasn't a surprise. He knows the offense and is already with the team. The 49ers also signed veteran TE Jack Stoll to their practice squad. Stoll played 15 games for the Saints last season. Warren Sharp listed the best available tight ends out there. Among those he listed was Stoll.
As for Kyle Shanahan, we know he quietly signed a multi-year extension this offseason, but the terms and length have not been disclosed. So, unless the 49ers decide to announce it, we may be waiting a while to find out exactly how long he's under contract.
Good or bad, what's been most surprising about this year's 49ers team? - Ed H.
Well, it's only been one game, but here are some surprises so far:
- Shanahan is actually using a running back not named Christian McCaffrey.
- The offensive line had a great game against the Rams' defensive front.
- Eddie Piñeiro missed a kick.
I'd say those are my early surprises.
Right before the half, I thought it was a waste of time management. What are your thoughts on the 2-min drill? Kyle could use CMC and Black equally. What say you? - Lawrence J.
When the 49ers got the ball before halftime, they had the ball at the 8-yard line with just over two minutes left. They ran Samuel for a 12-yard gain. Shanahan likes to start with something safe to see if they can pick up some yards. That's actually the play Tonges was injured on.
After the two-minute warning, McCaffrey picked up seven yards to get the ball to the 27-yard line. The next play was a roughing the passer penalty on the Rams. The 49ers were in a good spot, with the ball at the 42-yard line and 1:19 remaining.
But they ultimately punted from about the 50 with 28 seconds left.
So, yes, they had a chance to at least get a field goal, but I think Shanahan's first impulse was to make sure they didn't turn the ball over or leave the Rams too much time. The 49ers had the momentum. He must have decided not to risk losing it. Could he have been more aggressive? Yes. But if the 49ers turned it over or allowed the Rams to score before halftime, the momentum would have gone the other way.
How's Nick doing? We don't need to overuse Bosa. - Phillip J.
Bosa played 36 snaps (out of a possible 61) on Thursday. I don't think they overused him, as he was part of the rotation. Normally, Bosa logs more snaps than that.
But he had a strong game despite returning from a knee injury, not practicing much during training camp, and playing just over half the defensive snaps. I expect they'll continue to ease him back in.
That's all we have for this week's 49ers Webzone Mailbag. We'll have a brand new one for you next week.
Mentioned in this article: Nick Bosa, Alfred Collins, Dre Greenlaw, KhaDarel Hodge, Jack Jones, Christian McCaffrey, Osa Odighizuwa, Ricky Pearsall, Deebo Samuel, Jack Stoll, De'Zhaun Stribling, Jake Tonges, Fred Warner, Mykel Williams, Brayden Willis
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