Many injuries — Staley is questionable
On Monday, about 45 seconds into Kyle Shanahan’s news conference, the session was interrupted by a loud automated voice that echoed through the auditorium at Levi’s Stadium.
“Please go to the nearest fire exit and leave the building,” the voice instructed, just before an alarm began ringing. “Do not use elevators ...”
Given the state of the 49ers, the two-minute interruption was fitting: Shanahan’s 1-3 team might not be facing an emergency situation, but several injuries have it facing what he later termed a “real unusual roster situation.”
However, the situation could be worse. The biggest injury news to come out of Shanahan’s briefing was that Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Staley did not sustain a long-term injury when quarterback C.J. Beathard was tackled into his right knee in a 29-27 loss to the Chargers on Sunday.
Shanahan said Staley, who didn’t return to the game and was sporting a brace on his right knee, will be questionable for Sunday’s meeting against the Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium. Staley has dealt with chronic issues with his right knee for the past several seasons.
Meanwhile, Shanahan indicated wide receiver Dante Pettis (knee) will miss multiple games after he was injured in the first quarter against the Chargers. In addition, Shanahan said right tackle Mike McGlinchey (knee), center Weston Richburg (knee) and wide receiver Marquise Goodwin (thigh, hamstring) all will be questionable to play against Arizona, although each player returned Sunday after he was injured.
The uncertainty at multiple positions means the 49ers don’t figure to sign a quarterback this week. A week after the 49ers hosted seven QBs, Shanahan indicated they aren’t prepared to add to a group that consists of C.J. Beathard and Nick Mullens.
Shanahan was asked if the 49ers were looking to sign an experienced QB to back up Beathard, which would mean Mullens would return to the practice squad. The other option is to sign a practice-squad QB and keep Mullens, a 2017 undrafted free agent who hasn’t taken a regular-season snap, as Beathard’s backup.
“We’ve got a bunch of situations we’re looking into,” Shanahan said. “Right now, I would love to answer the quarterback situation for everyone because you do want a third in your building, whether that’s practice squad or on the roster. But there’s a lot of things that are taking precedent right now ... There’s a lot of stuff up in the air, where I really can’t answer that right now. We’ll see what happens.”
It remains to be seen what happens with this week with the 49ers’ banged-up and struggling secondary, which is part of a defense that has allowed 11 touchdown passes and had one interception.
Shanahan expects strong safety Jaquiski Tartt (shoulder) will play against the Cardinals after missing the past two games. Shanahan said cornerback Richard Sherman (calf ) is unlikely to return, but added, “I won’t put it past him.”
Meanwhile, Shanahan indicated practice this week will determine how much free safety Adrian Colbert and cornerback Greg Mabin play against Arizona. Against the Chargers, Colbert was replaced in the starting lineup by rookie D.J. Reed, and Shanahan cited Colbert’s hip injury that had limited him in practice as the reason for the change.
“D.J. got his opportunity because of health reasons,” Shanahan said. “And sometimes all guys need is an opportunity — so we’ll how this week goes.”
In the second half, Mabin, a 2017 undrafted free agent, rotated with cornerbacks Jimmie Ward, the 49ers’ highest-paid defensive player, and Ahkello Witherspoon, a 2017 thirdround pick.
“I was really happy with how (Mabin) played and that’s why he got some time — that’s how he’s looked in practice and he carried it over to the game,” Shanahan said.” … We’ll see how those guys compete throughout the week and make our decision as it goes.”