© Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
MIAMI — The 49ers aren’t taking any risks with their backfield in Super Bowl LIV. San Francisco’s inactive list revealed a few truths about the team’s identity and what has gotten them to this point. After running their way to the Super Bowl with back-to-back playoff rushing performances of more than 186 rushing yards and two-plus rushing touchdowns, the 49ers sured up any concerns about Tevin Coleman’s shoulder.
Coleman, who dislocated his shoulder in the NFC Championship game, was the only real injury concern the 49ers had going into the Super Bowl, though was given the OK this Friday, when head coach Kyle Shanahan said, “He’s good to go.”
However, there’s clearly some concern that Coleman could re-aggravate the injury, or at the very least, not be 100 percent. Shanahan decided to ensure he’d have a full arsenal of running backs, as the 49ers kept Jeff Wilson Jr. active as well.
The decision leaves Dante Pettis as inactive for the first time since the 49ers’ 48-46 win over the New Orleans in Week 14, when Pettis was nursing a knee injury. While that was the last time Pettis was inactive, he hasn’t taken a snap since Week 11 against the Green Bay Packers. His absence will hardly be a concern, but leaves the 49ers, as in Week 14, with just four wide receivers in Deebo Samuel, Emmanuel Sanders, Kendrick Bourne and Richie James Jr.
The inactive list is as follows:
WR Dante Pettis
WR Jordan Matthews
QB C.J. Beathard
DL Kevin Givens
CB Dontae Johnson
LB Azeez Al-Shaair
TE Daniel Helm