WR Moncrief benched vs. 49ers
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Has Donte Moncrief played his final game in a Steelers uniform?
That certainly seems like a possibility after the Steelers benched him in just his third game with his new team. The Steelers started the season with high hopes for Moncrief, but after he dropped four passes in the first two games, coach Mike Tomlin deactivated him for the 49ers game Sunday afternoon at Levi’s Stadium.
Moncrief, who signed a two-year, $9 million free-agent deal in March, had three catches for 7 yards in losses to the Patriots and Seahawks. His dropped pass on his only target last week resulted in an interception that set up the Seahawks’ go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter.
The Steelers could cut Moncrief during the season. If they did that they would be responsible for paying $5 million of his $9 million deal, according to Spotrac.com. They also would absorb a dead cap hit of $3.25 million for this season and $1.75 million next season.
Tight end trouble
Tight end Vance McDonald, playing his first game against his former team, left the game in the second quarter with an injured shoulder and did not return.
McDonald appeared to be injured trying to catch a high pass on the third play of the second quarter. That forced the Steelers to use Xavier Grimble as their only tight end. Grimble had one catch for 2 yards.
Fast start for 49ers
The 49ers are 3-0 for the first time since 1998. “That’s good but it doesn’t mean anything,” said Kyle Shanahan, the thirdyear head coach who now is 13-22.
“I’ve been 5-0 and not made the playoffs before, so it doesn’t mean much, but to win two games that really didn’t go that well for us, Tampa and today against Pittsburgh, I think that says a lot about the character of the guys in there.”
The 1998 49ers went 12-4 but lost in the divisional playoff round when Steve Young threw three interceptions at Atlanta. The Steelers fell to 1940 all time in the Pacific Time Zone.
Memorable debut
Minkah Fitzpatrick didn’t have much time to prepare for his Steelers debut — and didn’t take much time to make an impact. Fitzpatrick intercepted Jimmy Garoppolo 10 minutes into the game, off a Haden. He also forced a fum- ble and finished with five tackles.
On the negative side, he committed a roughing-thepasser penalty and was thrown to the turf like a flea by 49ers tight end George Kittle.
On balance, it was an impressive performance, as Fitzpatrick flashed some serious athleticism from the safety position — the kind not seen much here in recent years.
He was the first Steelers player to have an interception and forced fumble in the same game since William Gay on Nov. 24, 2016 against Indianapolis.
“My coaches prepared me well, and my teammates helped me out a whole lot,” Fitzpatrick said. “We went out there and they allowed me to
Other inactives
In addition to Moncrief, the Steelers also deactivated fullback Roosevelt Nix, linebackers Anthony Chickillo and Vince Williams, defensive end Isaiah Buggs and offensive linemen Chukwuma Okorafor and Fred Johnson. Nix, Chickillo and Williams were ruled out Friday.
The 49ers deactivated quarterback C.J. Beathard, receiver Jalen Hurd, running back Tevin Coleman, defensive back Jimmie Ward, defensive lineman Julian Taylor and offensive linemen Sam Young and Joe Staley.
Joe Starkey contributed to this report.