For all intents and purposes, Monday night’s game against the Los Angeles Rams is a playoff game for the 49ers. Should they lose, this would be a 3-6 team that’s 0-4 in the division. The idea that Jimmy Garoppolo needs to play for the team to remain competitive is already seeming less and less reasonable, but a loss to the Rams now would all but shut the door on the 49ers’ already implausible playoff hopes.
So, here we are, on the precipice of what could be the end of the Jimmy Garoppolo era. But that’s up to Kyle Shanahan to decide, and he’s not budging yet.
When will Lance get his chance?
It feels like if the 49ers fail to win on Monday, Lance could, or perhaps should, get his shot against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Kyle Shanahan declined to divulge any information on his plans for the rookie on Thursday when asked if he expected him to play more in the second half of the season
“It depends how our season goes. I’ve said the same answers with that since the beginning,” Shanahan said. “So, I don’t know how many different ways I can say it.”
He got a little bit frustrated when asked about the “depends how our season goes” part of his answer and said Lance will essentially get his shot when the playoffs are ruled out.
“I thought his question was, ‘is he ever going to become the guy?’ And that’s why I have to see how the season goes,” Shanahan said. “When he’s ready, when our team’s ready. Obviously, if there’s nothing to play for, you make that decision for a lot of guys trying to prepare guys for the next year and stuff like that.”
John Lynch’s answer regarding Lance on KNBR was not much different:
Look, we had a plan with Trey, and I can tell you this, I’ve said it over and over. I’ll continue to say it because it’s what I believe, I’m as convicted that Trey Lance’s is the right guy. It’s the guy we should have taken. It’s the guy we had the conviction with, and I’m even more convicted now.
I just think it’s got to be at the right time. I think Jimmy’s played pretty well here in the last couple of weeks, and we’re still very much in this, albeit on the outside looking in.
We still feel like we can claw our way back and if Trey can be a part of that, great, but you’re also gauging, ‘Hey, when’s the best time for him?’ And we we fully know that at some point, you gotta throw him out there and just play him because that’s how you get better, but we want it to be the right time for him, for our team, and so we’re working hard to try to come up with that.”
In sum, the 49ers believe they are still competitive and will only be competitive with Garoppolo; or at least, significantly more competitive with Garoppolo than with Lance.
They don’t seem to have many concerns about Lance spending the season on the bench. That’s roughly in line with what Shanahan said in training camp; he seems to feel that practice reps are similarly valuable to game reps.
“So regardless of what happens, I’m always trying to make sure that Trey doesn’t go another year without playing football,” Shanahan said. “We’re going to make sure that we do what’s best for him. Getting him reps on the practice field, hopefully in games too and we’ll see how this all pans out. But my order of thinking always starts with what’s best for this organization, what gives our organization the best chance to win. And then after that I’m always thinking of the individual.”
If nothing else, the 49ers’ messaging has become more consistent in saying essentially that Lance is unlikely to start if this team is still competing for the playoffs, or until he gives them the best chance to win. The former is much more likely to happen in their minds than the latter.
Other rookies’ progress, and Sermon will get his shot
The first four draft picks in San Francisco’s draft class played zero offensive or defensive snaps last Sunday. Just two of their eight rookies (Talanoa Hufanga, Elijah Mitchell) played on non-special teams snaps in that 31-17 loss.
Right now, the 49ers are a team without anything to gain from losing. They do not own their first-round pick and are currently not developing their rookies. The front office and coaching staff would argue those players are developing off the field, but that’s not exceedingly useful to a team which still believes it’s a playoff contender.
Both Shanahan and Lynch tried to provide cause for optimism for their rookies on Thursday.
- On Aaron Banks, Lynch said that while Banks was expected to compete with Daniel Brunskill for the starting right guard spot, his injury set him back and Banks is improving.
- On Ambry Thomas, Shanahan said, “He’s had a real good last few weeks. And I’ve been excited about him. He’s been doing better each week and he’s earning the right to be out there more, earned the right to dress. And hopefully, sooner than later, he’ll earn the right to be out on the field on defense.” Lynch said, “we feel like he’s nearer to being ready” and that he’s added some weight and strength, a major point of emphasis for him.
- On Trey Sermon, there is more direct news. Lynch said he, “Is gonna get his shot this weekend,” confirming that JaMycal Hasty will be out.
Fred Warner’s performance
One of the more bizarre points of concern in an exceedingly bizarre season is the regression of Fred Warner. Warner hasn’t beeb poor per say, but he is decidedly not the All-Pro, best-at-his-position player that he was a year ago, and over the seasons preceding it.
There are occasions of Warner being bullied out of gaps more frequently than in the past. It goes against one of his skills shown in the past, which is slipping away from blocks to make tackles more consistently.
Lynch was blunt about Warner’s performance on KNBR on Thursday.
“Fred’s not having the season thus far that that he expects or we expect, and sometimes I think you get a big contract, you got a lot going on in your mind, you probably tried to do a little too much,” Lynch said. “Probably needs to zero in and and just focus on on his job. And so, you know, yes, leadership and all that, but at some point, you also got to get your job done.”
As harsh as that assessment may sound, it’s not unreasonable for a player being paid to be the best linebacker in the league.
Warner, earlier in the day, did not disagree, saying that he’s probably pressing too hard to create turnovers and dynamic plays.
“I think just being more relentless, being more consistent in my play. I think when I’m firing, I think the defense is firing. I full-heartedly believe that. I put a lot of pressure on my shoulders to be that for the team,” Warner said. “Maybe it’s just for me, kind of need to re-focus, just kind of simplify things instead of trying to do too much. Just play hard.”
Injuries, injuries, injuries
Below is the 49ers’ practice participation report, which is exceedingly long. Shanahan said the hope is for Jimmie Ward to practice on Friday. He added that Dre Greenlaw’s practice window won’t be opened this week, though it’s likely to be opened next week.
Did not practice:
- RB JaMycal Hasty (ankle)
- DL Maurice Hurst (calf)
- CB Dre Kirkpatrick (ankle)
- C Alex Mack (not injury related – resting player)
- WR Mohamed Sanu (knee)
- DB Jimmie Ward (quadricep)
- T Trent Williams (not injury related – resting player)
- S Tavon Wilson (foot)
Limited:
- DL Arik Armstead (neck)
- TE George Kittle (calf)
- RB Elijah Mitchell (rib)
- CB Emmanuel Moseley (neck)
- CB Josh Norman (rib)