Most alarming is the 49ers' muted rushing attack despite a healthy Christian McCaffrey. They're the only NFL team without a touchdown run, and McCaffrey's rushing output has declined each Sunday: 69 yards (22 carries) at Seattle, then 55 yards (13 carries) in New Orleans, 52 yards (17 carries) against Atlanta, and 49 yards (17 carries) against Jacksonville. McCaffrey can't break a 20-yard run, or a even 3-yarder inside the 10?
If you want to make a 49ers fan's blood pressure spike like the temperatures in the Bay this week, you don't talk about Brock Purdy's contract, Kyle Shanahans clock-management, or the team's errant trade for Trey Lance. No, you say two simple, powerful, and seemingly maddening words: Offensive line. It's the part of football that is, for most fans, a complete mystery a series of grunts and shoves and bodies piling up.
Many things will define the 49ers' season. Such is the nature of this complex game of football. But perhaps no factor not star players, injuries, or field-goal kicking will be as crucial to determining success or failure as the play of the 49ers' defensive rookies. The Niners drafted six of them this past spring, and three were asked to be starters right out of the gate. And what did we see from the kids on Sunday in Seattle?
SANTA CLARA Nothing like a Week 1 depth chart, even an unofficial one, to set ablaze the 49ers' fans, as happened Tuesday to yield this question-and-answer mailbag: Ji'Ayir starting over Sigle???? (@@49ers_hnic). Brown? Are we serious? He's terrible (@49ersSideline) Unless the 49ers coaches verbally declare a competition over, incumbents and/or veterans usually get the nod in depth charts such as these, which are compiled and distributed by the team's communications staff, hence their unofficial designation.
Upton Stout, the 49ers' third-round draft pick, exuberantly celebrated his selection, saying, 'Let's do it!' repeatedly, showcasing his enthusiasm and determination to join the team.