Crowder out, but rookie RB Perine may play Sunday
Sam Darnold won’t have his most reliable playmaker with him on Sunday, but the Jets’ quarterback could be adding a potential weapon.
Slot receiver Jamison Crowder (hamstring) was ruled out Friday, but rookie running back La’Mical Perine practiced for the second straight day after being out with an ankle injury he suffered on Aug. 30, and is being listed as questionable for the game against the 49ers.
“Hopefully I can get on the field and try to make a lot of big plays,” said Perine, a fourthround pick out of Florida. He believes he’s ready physically to make his NFL debut, though he has yet to be given the go-ahead by the team.
Losing Crowder is a major blow, especially with running back Le’Veon Bell and receiver Denzel Mims both on injured reserve with hamstring injuries. Crowder caught seven passes for 115 yards and a touchdown in Sunday’s loss to the Bills and coach Adam Gase called him his best offensive player dating back to the start of last season.
“We’ll have to make some adjustments,” Gase said.
Braxton Berrios will replace Crowder on the outside. The team’s other active receivers are Breshad Perriman and Chris Hogan. The three combined for four catches and 17 yards on nine targets against the Bills.
Having Perine active would at least help an offense short at the skill positions.
“I think he has the ability to do all three phases of a running back, whether it be running the ball, catching it or protecting,” Gase said.
➤ The 49ers will be without superstar tight end George Kittle due to a knee injury, a significant blow to their offense which already won’t have dynamic wide receiver Deebo Samuel (foot). Defensive end Dee Ford (neck) remained out of practice on Friday and is listed as questionable. The 49ers also will be without cornerback Richard Sherman (calf ), who is on IR.
➤ Inside linebacker Avery Williamson (hamstring) practiced for the third day in a row on a limited basis and was listed as questionable. This would be his first regular season game since a loss to the Patriots on Dec. 30, 2018, after tearing his ACL in the preseason last year.
“I’m hoping we keep trending in the direction we’re in right now,” Gase said. “It’s good to see him out there doing team periods and working in that group. We need him, but at the same time we want him right.”
➤ Starting cornerback Pierre Desir was benched in favor of Nate Hairston in last Sunday’s loss to the Bills because “we had to get some better play right there,” defensive coordinator Gregg Williams said Friday. Williams didn’t say if Desir would get his job back at the start of Sunday’s game against the 49ers, though he did say Desir has worked hard in practice this week.