‘Pretty tough deal’: McGlinchey sits
Mike McGlinchey had never missed a game with his teammates.
Until Sunday. When the 49ers right tackle watched his teammates from afar with his mom.
McGlinchey, who had arthroscopic knee surgery last Thursday, was in Santa Clara on Sunday and watched the 49ers beat the Rams 207 in Los Angeles with Janet McGlinchey. It was the first football game last year’s No. 9 overall pick had missed, at any level.
“This is a pretty tough deal,” McGlinchey said. “I had to sit home with my mom this weekend and watch my team on television, which sucked. But at least they’re showing up and showing out and kicking ass.”
On Wednesday, McGlinchey had a note taped to his locker from left tackle Joe Staley’s young daughter. It read: “Sorry you got a boo boo. Love, Grace.”
It provided solace, but McGlinchey is about to endure another painful Sunday. Last week, the 49ers said McGlinchey would be sidelined for four to six weeks, meaning he’ll watch from home this weekend when they visit Washington.
“It’s tough — not only not playing, but not traveling with the team,” McGlinchey said. “It does a little bit to your psyche. … The job you’re supposed to be doing, you’re just watching and you’re as equal to a fan at that point.”
Help wanted: Washington interim head coach Bill Callahan is a longtime offensive line coach, but his experience in the trenches probably wasn’t necessary to come to this conclusion: His front five will have its hands full Sunday when the 49ers visit FedEx Field.
“Yeah, the challenge is great,” Callahan said. “And the matchups, yeah, we’re going to need a lot of help, to say the least.”
The unbeaten 49ers will enter with a defensive line that’s headlined the NFL’s secondranked defense, which has allowed 10 points in its past two games. Washington (15) will arrive with the league’s 28thranked offense and has allowed 15 sacks, tied for the 12th most in the NFL.
“When they line up across the board, there’s just not one individual you can home in on,” Callahan said. “Like when we played the Bears, you have (AllPro passrusher) Khalil Mack that you’re focused on. But this is a little bit different because there’s so much quality depth and outstanding players.”
Injury report: Wide receiver Deebo Samuel (groin), nose tackle D.J. Jones (hamstring) and running back Raheem Mostert (knee) did not practice. Washington QB Case Keenum (right shoulder, foot) did not practice, but Callahan expects him to start Sunday. Washington running back Adrian Peterson (quadriceps) did not practice, and tight end Vernon Davis (concussion) was limited.