49ers to be without receiver Goodwin for home opener
SANTA CLARA >> Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin won’t play in the 49ers home opener, denying Jimmy Garoppolo and the offense one of their few playmakers, having already lost running back Jerick McKinnon to a season-ending knee injury Sept. 1.
Coach Kyle Shanahan isn’t holding a pity party, however, ahead of Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions.
“It’s something you don’t get too down on, even though you could, because, yes, it is a big deal,” Shanahan said. “That’s part of the NFL. That’s part of this season.
“Who is the most talented team? Who has the best luck throughout the year not getting hurt? Who deals with injuries best? There are so many things that factor will decide the outcome of everyone this year and who ends up in the Super Bowl.”
The 49ers will deal with Goodwin’s absence by inserting Dante Pettis into the starting lineup, and fellow rookie Richie James will be active for the first time to back up along with Kendrick Bourne.
Goodwin did not practice all week because of a bruised thigh he sustained Sunday that limited him to 17 snaps in the 24-16 loss at Minnesota.
Losing Goodwin and McKinnon hurts in that Shanahan predicates his offense on mismatches, and while Goodwin’s speed is among the league’s best, McKinnon’s versatility is missed, especially in how the 49ers figured to throw the ball to him against linebackers.
Matt Breida had the 49ers’ lone reception (5 yards) between him and fellow running back Alfred Morris on Sunday.
Pettis, a second-round draft pick, had two catches
in his debut, including the 49ers’ only touchdown for which he celebrated by licking his hand like a cat. “He’s very relaxed, he’s very confident being himself all the time, and that’s why he’s OK with his cat celebration,” Shanahan said.
FAMILIAR FACE >> It became a Monday ritual for the New England Patriots the past few seasons: defensive coordinator Matt Patricia would single out Garoppolo for providing such a good look as the scout-team quarterback.
“You could see right away with his ability to run the show team, his ability to recognize the defense and be able to create plays, he had a certain skill that was pretty tough to defend against,” Patricia said Friday on a media conference call.
Patricia’s first road game as the Detroit Lions coach comes Sunday at Levi’s Stadium against Garoppolo, whose likeness appears on bobblehead dolls that will be given to fans. (Garoppolo said they are a “good” resemblance.)
While Patricia served under Bill Belichick with the Patriots, Garoppolo sat behind Tom Brady for 3 ½ seasons before getting traded to the 49ers. “I obviously know Jimmy really well. He’s a great guy. I like him,” Patricia said. “He’s someone
who did a phenomenal job for me every single day.”
Matt Cassel is now Patricia’s scout-team quarterback as he backs up Matthew Stafford, who’s played in 113 consecutive games. That’s the third-longest active streak among quarterbacks behind Philip Rivers (194) and Matt Ryan (132). HEALTH CENTER >> Guards Joshua Garnett (toe) and Erik Magnuson (hamstring) were ruled out, and the 49ers will wait until Sunday to decide if starting right guard Mike Person (foot) can play. Person is listed as questionable, as is linebacker Malcolm Smith (hamstring).
Free safety Adrian Colbert (hamstring) practiced for the first time this week and is listed as questionable. Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon (ankle), nickel back K’Waun Williams (rib) and safety Jaquiski Tartt (shoulder) are expected to play. Person has worked out on a side field all week and will be a game-time decision. His potential replacements are Matt Tobin and Najee Toran, an undrafted rookie from UCLA who got called up from the practice squad.
If Smith can’t play, look for second-year linebacker Elijah Lee to make his first career start next to rookie Fred Warner.
For the Lions, defensive end Ziggy Ansah (shoulder) and running back LeGarrette Blount (shoulder) are questionable. Ruled out are offensive linemen T.J. Lang (back) and Andrew Donnal (knee).
KITTLE STOCK >> Targeted a career-high nine times in the season-opening loss, tight end George Kittle produced 90 yards on five catches, and although he dropped a long ball at midfield, such attention is encouraging.
“He’s a good player and he will only get better if he can stay healthy,” said Shanahan, noting that Kittle admirably played through injuries last season (15 games, 43 catches, 515 yards, 2 touchdowns).
Left tackle Joe Staley described Kittle’s “fun-loving” approach as a kid in Pop Warner who likes to run around, have fun with friends and work really hard at a game he loves. “He’s a big part of our offense,” Staley added.
MUTINY MUTED >> Amid recent NFL Network reports that veteran Lions players are none too thrilled with their new coach, Patricia has kept his response in-house. “I don’t really acknowledge outside rumors or gossip,” Patricia said. “We’re a tight football team. There’s great conversing inside this building and have open conversations about things that are bothering us. Really what our focus is this week is the 49ers.”
• Punter Bradley Pinion is raising funds for Hurricane Florence relief efforts through Convoy of Hope, which has food and water ready to distribute once flood waters recede in the Carolinas. While Pinion’s offseason home in South Carolina is safely located inland, his father was among the thousands who evacuated from coastal towns.
• The 49ers had 13 players under 200 pounds on their opening-day roster, matching the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants for the league’s most.