Mostert, Coleman bring RB crew to full strength
SANTA CLARA >> Lil Wayne’s track “Bill Gates” blared over the 49ers’ practice field, much to their running backs’ delight as they stretched.
Raheem Mostert moved his hands as if he was banging drums, then his arms flailed, his head bobbed and he was onto the beat.
Next to him, Jeff Wilson Jr. was pounding his chest and finding the groove, too. Tevin Coleman danced wearing red gloves and a red hoodie that popped out from his white, No. 26 jersey .
he 49ers’ running back corps looked happy, and, at long last, back at full strength, with Jerick McKinnon and fullback Kyle Juszczyk in their midst, too.
That scene is exactly the positive vibe the 49ers (46) need if their run game is to help Nick Mullens and a still-undermanned offense upset the host Los Angeles Rams (7-3) on Sunday.
Add Deebo Samuel back in the mix and the 49ers will look to recreate their 24-16 win over the Rams in Week 6.
This was a stark contrast to the 49ers’ last game, a Nov. 15 loss in New Orleans, where sixth-stringer Austin Walter finished as their only backfield option.
Undrafted rookie JaMycal Hasty, their fifthstringer, broke his left collarbone earlier in the fourth quarter. McKinnon, ironically the 49ers’ most durable rusher this year after missing the past two seasons, sustained a shoulder stinger and did not return after blocking a blitzing linebacker early in the fourth quarter.
Once the 27-13 loss was complete and the 49ers headed for their locker room, McKinnon lingered on the bench with Richie James, who muf fed a fourth-punt return.
“Anytime you have a loss, you self-reflect,” McKinnon said Wednesday. “That’s all
it was, self-reflecting: ‘ What could I have done better and extra to change the outcome of the game.’ ”
Give McKinnon points for accountability, after a sub-par outing in which he struggled as a rusher (season-high 18 carries, 33 yards), as a kick returner (to the 14-yard line once the Saints tied it at 10) and as a pass protector for the stillyoung Mullens.
Thing is, McKinnon has exceeded expectations this year, because of the volume he’s played on a right knee that required seasonending surgeries before the past two seasons began.
McKinnon should have been a complementar y weapon in his comeback. He’s played every game. He’s run for five touchdowns on 77 carries (294 yards; 3.8 average), and he’s caught 25 of 36 targets (186 yards, one touchdown).
Injur ies to Moster t , Coleman and Wilson have throttled this run- oriented offense throughout a discombobulated season. Getting them back is vital for the 49ers’ slim playoff chances. Coleman was limited Wednesday; Mostert and Wilson still have to be activated off injured reserve to play Sunday.
Last season’s breakout rusher, Mostert looks fresh. A high ankle sprain cost him the past four games, after a knee sprain kept him out Weeks 3 and 4 against the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles.
A Week 2 knee sprain has limited Coleman to only three games (21 carries, 50 yards). His presence wasn’t flashy as last season’s starter but his role obviously was beneficial.
Wilson hasn’t played since a high ankle sprain on his third touchdown run in the 49ers’ last win, Oct. 25 at New England. His comeback wasn’t initially penciled in for this coming game, so the 49ers may want to stash him for the next outing.
A year after owning the NFL’s second-ranked rushing attack, the 49ers are a pedestrian No. 17 this season (112 yards per game). The Rams tout the NFL’s fifthbest run defense (91.3 ypg).
Running room should be scarce Sunday. But the 49ers look more capable of finding it with a healthier stable of rushers.
If left tackle Trent Williams can’t play because of last week’s positive COVID-19 test, then Mullens’ blind side won’t be as protected if the 49ers must play catch up via the pass.
Dealing with coronavirus- and injury-related absences is par for the 2020 course.
“It’s the new norm,” McKinnon said. “This isn’t first time we’ve had somebody test for COVID. To be honest, it’s not different than a guy getting injured; the next guy has to step in and make plays.”
The next guys might be Mostert, Coleman, Wilson and, alas, other options to help McKinnon and the 49ers run game.
COVID CONCERNS >> Three players did not practice because of illness amid COVID-19 precautions: tight end Jordan Reed and linebackers Azeez Al- Shaair and Dre Greenlaw. Had any of them tested positive for the coronavirus, they would have gone on the NFL’s COVID-19 reserve list before 1 p.m.
The 49ers (4- 6) had only one healthy linebacker on the active roster participate Thursday, that being leading tackler Fred Warner.
Reed’s absence is especially concerning in that George Kittle (foot fracture) is on Injured Reserve and Daniel Helm is among seven 49ers on COVID-19 reserve. Ross Dwelley and Charlie Woerner might be Nick Mullens’ only options at tight end to target if Reed is out.
No 49ers c a me of f that COV ID-19 reser ve list Thursday, even after Wednesday’s activations of Arik Armstead and Hroniss Grasu.