Injury Woes Continue: Another Blow to 49ers’ Playoff Aspirations

Injury Woes Continue: Another Blow to 49ers’ Playoff Aspirations

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) – When the San Francisco 49ers entered training camp in July, the bitter taste of last season and postseason disappointment still lingered around the team.

Now that they’re in the No. 1 seed in the NFC after Sunday’s largely pointless 21-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, they can really start to turn their attention to their disappointing playoff run.

“We’re right where we want to be,” left tackle Trent Williams said. “We are the No. 1 seed. Obviously, it’s never perfect. We’re still trying to improve our chances and go there when we play next week and try to keep the season alive.

The 49ersand#039; The last two seasons ended with a loss in the NFC Championship Game. They fell to the eventual champion Rams in 2021 and then a frustrating loss to Philadelphia last season when quarterback Brock Purdy injured his elbow on the opening drive and San Francisco was forced to play much of the game without a working quarterback.

Purdy came back this season and played at an even higher level. He threw for 4,280 yards, 31 touchdowns and a league-best 113 passer rating.Purdy was one of several key players who got the day off Sunday as the focus was on staying healthy for the playoffs.With the lack of urgency in the season finale, Shanahan emphasized tough practices last week to keep his team sharp.

“Our goal was to get number one, that was our first and most important goal. We did that, Shanahan said. “It was a little weird last week, but I like how our kids handled it. I loved how the year went. We decided to do it. I was very happy with several men.

I thought the boys improved throughout the year, but as our players said, we still know our best football player.The Niners (12-5) will rest early this week and then schedule two tough practices later in the week before facing their opponent in the divisional round.

“I feel like this is a great week for us to develop as a team, so we’re going to make sure we’re the best version of ourselves when that moment comes,” defenseman Fred Warner said. andquot;Whoever needs to come to Levi’s Stadium, I want us to be ready.

I want us to be the best version of ourselves when that time comes.”WHAT WORKSStay Healthy The Ninersand#039;s main goal at the end of the season was to stay healthy and for the most part they just did .thatWHO NEEDS HELPKicking Game A mostly strong rookie season ended badly for kicker Jake Moody, who missed a 38-yard field goal, his first missed field goal since Week 7 at Minnesota.

He then missed his first extra point of the season after scoring his first 60 points. Shanahan said he won’t look at other kickers until the playoffs.”He’s been great all year,” Shanahan said. “He was hard on those two today, but no, Jake and I are fine.

“STOCKSRB Elijah Mitchell. Mitchell carried a heavy load for the second week in a row with Christian McCaffrey out with a calf injury. Mitchell led the team in rushing with 52 yards and scored a TD for the second straight game. McCaffrey won’t play many games when his head is healthy, but Mitchell shows he can be trusted when Shanahan wants to change the look.IN STOCKRG Spencer Burford.

The second-year defender has struggled at times this season and could be in danger of losing his starting spot in the playoffs if left fielder Aaron Banks is healthy again and backup Jon Feliciano plays well in his place.INJUREDMcCaffrey should be back for the final of the final. …

DT Arik Armstead hopes to return after missing the final five games of the regular season with a foot injury.KEY NUMBER76 — The 49ers finished the season opener with 76 points, 10 TDs and two field goals. That is the most points scored in an opening round by any team since at least 2000 and surpasses Green Bay’s 73 points through 16 games of the 2020 season.THE NEXT STEPSan Francisco will host the team in the divisional round in January. January 20th or 21st. The Niners will play Tampa Bay, Philadelphia, the Rams and Green Bay with the lowest remaining seed..