49ers’ Coleman, Williams are available for today’s game; Raiders’ Jackson fined
Tevin Coleman could become the fourth running back in eight games to start for the 49ers when they visit the Seattle Seahawks today.
Or perhaps that feat goes to undrafted rookie JaMycal Hasty. Or maybe Jerick McKinnon makes his third start.
Regardless, Coleman became an official option Saturday when the 49ers activated him off the injured-reserve list. He had been out with a knee sprain since a Week 2 win over the New York Jets, the same game that befell Nick Bosa and Solomon Thomas to seasonending knee injuries and the same one in which Jimmy Garoppolo and Raheem Mostert left injured at halftime.
A roster spot opened with Jeff Wilson Jr. going on IR because of an ankle injury he sustained last Sunday, while scoring his third touchdown in a surprise start at New England.
Season-opening starter Mostert (ankle) remains on IR and is eligible to return ahead of the 49ers’ Nov. 15 game at New Orleans, although the bye follows that game so a Nov. 29 comeback is also possible against the host Los Angeles Rams.
OTHER MOVES >> Nickel back K’Waun Williams also was activated off injured reserve. He missed three games with a knee sprain. Jamar Taylor, his replacement, had two interceptions in last Sunday’s 33-6 win at New England and was the 49ers’ in-house defensive player of the game.
Defensive lineman Kentavius Street (illness) was downgraded to doubtful
With Deebo Samuel (ankle) and Richie James (ankle) out, the 49ers called up a wide receiver from the practice squad, but it’s not Kevin White, who was up for two games earlier this month. Rather, River Cracraft got the promotion as a receiver and potential return specialist and will wear No. 86, if active.
Safety Johnathan Cyprien also is up from the practice squad a second straight week; Jaquiski Tartt was downgraded from doubtful to out, as was James.
REED RESURFACES >> Defensive back D.J. Reed, who the Seahawks claimed off waivers from the 49ers on Aug. 5, was activated by Seattle off the non-football injury list. Reed’s hamstring injury has him officially questionable to make his Seattle debut, but he’ll likely be an option at nickel back in place of Ugo Amadi, who is doubtful.
Reed was a 2018 fifthround draft pick by the 49ers, who used him as a versatile reserve the previous two years.
Tight end Colby Parkinson, a Stanford product, also came off the non-football injury list and is eligible for his NFL debut.
JACKSON FINED >> Raiders guard Gabe Jackson was fined $12,500 for unsportsmanlike conduct after being disqualified in last week’s loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, an NFL source confirmed Saturday.
It’s the standard amount for a first offense in a season for unsportsmanlike conduct. Jackson was ejected with 4:18 to play in the third quarter, with the penalty coming on a play in which Derek Carr threw a 1-yard pass to Darren Waller to bring the Raiders within 24-17 in a game they eventually lost 45-20.
After the game, referee Tony Novak told a pool reporter a down judge threw a flag because “No. 66 (Jackson) stepping on his opponent, right on his shoulder, while he was on the ground.”
There were no camera angles on network television that picked up Jackson’s foul, just a brief scrum that involved Tampa Bay’s Ndamukong Suh, who was not penalized or fined.
Ejection for unsportsmanlike conduct occurs when in the officials’ judgment the foul is considered flagrant. Before the Raiders left Friday for Cleveland and their Week 7 road game against the Browns, coach Jon Gruden was asked if he had any clarity on why Jackson was ejected.
“Do you have any clarity?” Gruden repeated. “I don’t either.”
Jackson’s ejection was a blow to an offensive line that had only one brief practice on Monday before being quarantined until game day following a positive COVID-19 test by right tackle Trent Brown. Jackson was replaced by rookie fourthround pick John Simpson.