2 miscues prove critical in Miami
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Wide receiver Torrey Smith and tight end Garrett Celek took responsibility better than they took care of the ball Sunday.
Both players blamed themselves for a 31-24 loss to the Dolphins because they each committed key turnovers.
First, with the game tied 7-7, Celek lost a fumble at Miami’s 16-yard line at the end of a 16-yard reception. The Dolphins then responded with an 84-yard touchdown drive.
“It should have been 14-7, us,” Celek said. “But it was the other way around … feel like I kind of cost the team with that fumble.”
Next, Smith had an accurate pass from quarterback Colin Kaepernick bounce off his hands and carom to linebacker Kiko Alonso for an interception on the first play of the third quarter. The Dolphins netted a field goal from the miscue to take a 17-7 lead.
“I dropped a ball that led to a pick and I feel that I lost us the game, if you ask me,” Smith said. “… I just dropped the ball. Kap made a good (pass), but I just dropped it. No excuses. Popped up in the air. It’s embarrassing, to be honest.”
The 49ers have lost an NFLhigh 11 fumbles this season.
“We work on it,” head coach Chip Kelly said, “but there’s no excuse for fumbling.”
Injury report: Wide receiver Quinton Patton exited with a concussion on the first play of the third quarter and backup inside linebacker Shayne Skov left with a knee injury. Inside linebacker Nick Bellore and tight end Vance McDonald sustained undisclosed injuries but returned.
Defensive tackle Quinton Dial (neck, knee) missed a game for the first time this season and was replaced in the starting lineup by Chris Jones, who was active for the first time since he was claimed on waivers Nov. 8.
With safety Eric Reid (biceps) on injured reserve, safety Vinnie Sunseri, who was promoted from the practice squad last week, was active and logged several defensive snaps in addition to specialteams work.
Blair’s big play: Rookie defensive lineman Ronald Blair, a fifth-round pick, picked an opportune time to record his first career sack.
Blair dropped quarterback Ryan Tannehill for a 9-yard loss in the third quarter to push the Dolphins out of fieldgoal range. Miami had started the drive at the 49ers’ 24-yard line after a 78-yard kickoff return.
Briefly: The 49ers have lost 14 of their past 15 road games, dating to 2014. … Running back Carlos Hyde’s 11-yard catch in the first quarter was the first receiving TD of his career. … The 49ers are on pace to allow 500 points, which would be the fourth most in NFL history.