Mostert leaves game with an ankle injury
Leading rusher Raheem Mostert helped the 49ers build a 21- 6 halftime lead over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, but an ankle injury kept him from protecting it further.
Mostert got ruled out with a left ankle injury after he tried testing it on the 49ers’ first snap after halftime, in which he gained just 1 yard.
Earlier, Mostert’s speed was as impressive and helpful as ever, and so was his noticeable determination while plowing into defenders. He had 75 all-purpose yards by halftime, and the 15 best came on a run that sprung them from deep in 49ers territory and sparked their second TD drive.
Mostert missed 2 1/2 games with a knee sprain before returning a week ago, rushing for 90 yards in a lopsided loss to Miami.
Mostert’s exit left the running back duties to Jerick McKinnon and JaMycal Hasty. Jeff Wilson Jr. was inactivated with a calf injury that kept him out the final two practices last week.
NINERS PAY RESPECTS TO HALL MEMBER DEAN >> The 49ers honored Hall of Famer Fred Dean on Sunday night at Levi’s Stadium, holding a moment of silence prior to their game and having their players wear a No. 74 decal on the back of their helmets.
Dean, who contracted the coronavirus and had been on a ventilator, according to former teammate Dwight Hicks, passed away Wednesday in his native Louisiana. He was 68.
Dean played for San Francisco from 1981-85 and was a force in the 49ers’ first two Super Bowl titles.
BACKUP PLAN >> QB Nick Mullens reclaimed his role as Jimmy Garoppolo’s backup Sunday.
Mullens fell out of favor after a three-turnover performance in the 49ers’ last prime-time game, a 25-20 loss to Philadelphia on Oct. 4. C. J. Beathard replaced Mullens for the final six minutes of the game and impressed in a comeback attempt.
Garoppolo had played only the first half in his past two starts before Sunday. A Sept. 20 ankle injury got him pulled at halftime against the New York Jets in Week 2, and his wildness last Sunday got him benched in favor of Beathard in the 43-17 loss against the Miami Dolphins.
MR. SUNDAY NIGHT >> Receiver Deebo Samuel caught a 6-yard touchdown pass from Garoppolo in the first quarter on the 49ers’ first series of the game. He finished the first half with four catches for 57 yards.
In three previous career games on Sunday Night Football, Samuel had 10 receptions for 187 yards and one touchdown. He also had three rushes for 43 yards and one touchdown.
WIDE VARIETY >> The 49ers activated Richie James off IR and called up Kevin White from the practice squad for the second straight week. For Sunday, the 49ers had seven available wide receivers. Dante Pettis was inactive for a second straight game.