49ers will try playing spoiler vs. Cardinals
SF will deploy 3rd-string quarterback to ‘have fun’ and try upsetting host Arizona
The San Francisco 49ers’ “Super Bowl revenge tour” has taken a long-suspected detour. They officially aren’t going back to the playoffs, and they won’t atone for last season’s Lombardi Trophy giveaway.
Their mission has changed, with two games to play.
“Our motto the last week is: just go out there and have some fun,” said C. J. Beathard, who, because of injuries to Jimmy Garoppolo and Nick Mullens, will be the 49ers’ third starting quarterback this season when they play Saturday against the host Arizona Cardinals.
Beathard’s former Iowa teammate George Kittle will be back in uniform to help Beathard and the 49ers, and to gain momentum for next season’s anticipated rebound with healthier players.
If the 49ers are to upset the Cardinals (8- 6) behind a thirdstring quarterback and a drastically redacted roster, here are five players who will influence that:
1. CARDINALS QUARTERBACK KYLE MURRAY >> Murray led the Cardinals to a 24-20 comeback win over the host 49ers in the season opener, and one key way he did so was by running, then ducking. Murray (13 carries, 91 yards) slid late and drew unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on Dre Greenlaw and Kerry Hyder in the Cardinals’ secondhalf surge.
Murray does a lot more than run. He has 25 touchdown passes and 10 rushing TDs. He won his third NFC Player of the Week honors of 2020 last week, passing for 406 yards and three touchdowns in a 33-26 win over Philadelphia, plus a rushing touchdown.
2. 49ERS QUARTERBACK C. J. BEATHARD >> Time to see if Beathard brings more than just toughness to praise. He won’t be afforded time to shake off rust in his first start since 2018, which was a last-minute defeat at Arizona against Josh Rosen (Beathard’s backup Saturday).
Beathard acknowledges he previously lingered too long in the pocket before escaping. He’s been to susceptible to hard hits (40 sacks, 17 games).
If Beathard truly excels in this two-game tryout, that could coerce coach Kyle Shanahan to bring him back a fourth season, even if it’s as a No. 3 quarterback. Nick Mullens’ elbow surgery could keep him out all of 2021, so the door is open for Beathard to regain solid footing.
Arizona coach Kliff Kingsbury’s scouting report on Beathard: “He knows the offense inside and out. Smart player, accurate thrower.”
Beathard’s completed just 57.8 percent of his passes. Two of his 45 passes this season produced late- game touchdowns, raising his career total to 14 touchdowns against 13 interceptions.
Now, if Beathard stinks it up,
Shanahan has no intention on pulling him for Josh Rosen, who surely would love taking a crack at his former team (drafted No. 10 by Arizona in 2018). Rosen only joined the 49ers on Wednesday and this is not seen as a tryout.
3. CARDINALS WIDE RECEIVER DEANDRE HOPKINS >> There’s no question he could be as dominant as he was in Week 1 (14 catches, 151 yards). The biggest mystery is who will try defending him this time.
Richard Sherman’s seasonlong calf woes will keep him out.
Jason Verrett should be game for opposing Hopkins. Verrett missed the opening matchup because of a hamstring injury, then made a stirring comeback this season to revive his career. He missed last game because of illness but looks on track to play.
But safety Jimmie Ward (concussion) is also out, and questionable are safety Tarvarius Moore ( knee) and cornerback Emmanuel Moseley ( hamstring). Ahkello Witherspoon could be a hot target if he starts again, having resurfaced last week with nice plays.
4. 49ERS WIDE RECEIVER BRANDON AIYUK >> All due respect to the 49ers’ two offensive Pro Bowlers — left tackle Trent Williams and fullback Kyle Juszczyk
— but Aiyuk has been the 49ers’ brightest star on offense. He has 59 receptions for 733 yards and five touchdowns. He is 195 yards shy of breaking Jerry Rice’s single-season record for yards by a 49ers rookie.
Also watch if Aiyuk gets more opportunities as a punt returner. Return specialist Richie James Jr. fumbled a punt return last week and Trent Taylor is on the COVID-19 reserve list.
5. TIGHT END GEORGE KITTLE >> Shanahan hasn’t flinched when asked, with no playoffs at stake, why in the heck he’d play Kittle for the first time since a Nov. 1 foot fracture. Simply, Shanahan insists that a medically cleared Kittle should not be withheld from action when other players are pushing through injuries to finish out the season.
Kittle’s got a nice little rivalry going with the Cardinals, too. He’s been injured the past two times he’s faced them.
“This team’s going to look pretty different next year,” Kittle said. “I’m excited for that but I’m also exited to play these two games and give some teams some fits. It’s going to be pretty fun.”
Perhaps this game will have to suffice as the vengeance Kittle vociferously sought after the 49ers’ Super Bowl defeat.