With NFC West title in tow, 49ers, Shanahan navigate balancing health vs. playoff position
The NFC West title is in the bag earlier than anyone anticipated back when the 49ers were 3-4 and expecting the division race to go into Week 17.
Now the dilemma is making sure the best players are at their best when the postseason begins, weighed against the value of winning the last three games to get as many home playoff games as possible.
The 49ers are 10-4 but the first team to clinch a title based on the play of the rest of the division. They’re currently seeded behind No. 1 Philadelphia (12-1) and No. 2 Minnesota (10-2). Games remaining are against Washington Christmas Eve at Levi’s Stadium, a road game against the Raiders on New Year’s Day and at home in Week 17 against Arizona.
Coach Kyle Shanahan will go through all the permutations, but for the time being is concentrating on his team getting some rest.
Four players in that regard stand out — quarterback Brock Purdy, running back Christian McCaffrey, defensive end Nick Bosa and defensive tackle Arik Armstead. Losing any one of those four players could cripple the 49ers’ ability to do postseason damage.
With that in mind, the 49ers are giving players off until Tuesday. They’ll meet Sunday via Zoom teleconference to go over Thursday night’s 21-13 win over the Seahawks in Seattle.
Rest and recovery are huge factors for the aforementioned players.
“It’s imperative when you have to play that Thursday game,” Shanahan said. “That’s the biggest challenge that I don’t think anyone can understand unless you go through it. But for those players to play Sunday like they did and then turn around and play with the energy and the aggressiveness that they did last night takes a lot out of the body. The rest days are huge and we’ll definitely take advantage of it.”
Go ahead and assume those four players need the rest.
Purdy fought through an oblique strain and rib injury and the news Friday from the training room was positive.
“I just talked to our trainer, and he came in feeling good, feeling better today actually than he was earlier in the week, so he got out healthy and should be a lot better going into the next game,” Shanahan said.
McCaffrey had 26 carries for 108 yards and six receptions for 30 more. He had 30 touches in a game for the fourth time in his career and the first time with the 49ers. His career high was 37 in 2019 in Week 4 against Houston (27 rushes for 93 yards, 10 receptions for 86 yards).
Bosa didn’t practice at all heading into the Tampa Bay game with a hamstring strain, played in 51 of 64 snaps against the Seahawks with a sack. Armstead, in his second game back after missing eight games with ankle and foot issues, dominated inside and played 47 of 64 snaps.
Ward in concussion protocol
Cornerback Charvarius Ward, who waged a physical battle with Seattle receiver D.K. Metcalf, left after 50 snaps and was examined for a concussion. Although cleared to play, Shanahan said “he didn’t feel good about it” and declined to put him back in the game.
It turns out Shanahan’s instincts were correct. Ward came to work with symptoms and was placed in concussion protocol. Ward, the 49ers biggest offseason signing in free agency, has been worth the money although slowed temporarily by a groin injury without missing time.
“He’s been huge,” Shanahan said. “He fought through it and was able to play and I think he’s back to playing at the top of his game again.”
Other players who came out of the game injured were cornerback and special teams player Ambry Thomas (ankle) and wide receiver Danny Gray (hamstring). Both were listed as day-to-day.
Self-aware Bosa
Nick Bosa received a roughing the passer penalty against Geno Smith on an incomplete pass for what didn’t appear to be a flagrant play. However, Bosa afterward took responsibility. Shanahan agreed with Bosa.
“Bosa is a smart dude and he’s realistic and he’s right,” Shanahan said. “We watch that stuff almost every Friday and go over clips and why people get penalties. You can’t land on guys. He knew that, had an opportunity not to and he realized that right away. It’s nice when you have guys like that who can keep it real in the moment because it makes them a lot easier to coach.”
Quick hits
— If all goes according to plan, the 49ers will start the clock next week on defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw, who is injured reserve and last play in Week 3 against Denver. Then comes the process of determining whether he will be activated before the end of the season and the postseason.
— Shanahan said there could be some first-half carries for Jordan Mason in the future but was reluctant to take McCaffrey on the field because of his contributions in the passing game. Mason had a 55-yard run as the 49ers finished off the Seahawks and was dubbed “Mariano Rivera” by McCaffrey for his closing skills.
— Jimmie Ward has made it no secret of his preference for free safety over slot corner, but has excelled at the position and Shanahan sounds inclined to leave him where he is with Tashaun Gipson playing free safety.
“I personally think it puts him in position to have more opportunities to make plays,” Shanahan said. “I can’t say enough good things about Jimmie. He’s been one of our best players this year.”