Pro Bowl ballot submitted by 49ers lacks luster
So many 49ers’ stars simply couldn’t stay on the field this season or on the Pro Bowl ballot.
Fan voting began Tuesday, and here’s who the 49ers put on the ballot:
No quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, but instead Nick Mullens, who has played 312 snaps to Garoppolo’s 305.
No tight end George Kittle, but instead Ross Dwelley. Kittle, out with a foot fracture, is the 49ers’ leader in receiving yards (474 on 37 catches); Dwelley has 10 receptions for 144 yards, in 89 fewer snaps than Kittle. So much for Kittle being the NFL’s “National Tight End Day”
Nov. 29:
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spokesman, although he has always championed Dwelley, too.
No running back Raheem Mostert, but instead Jerick McKinnon. Mostert is still the 49ers’ leading rusher; McKinnon has a team-high six overall touchdowns.
No defensive ends Nick Bosa and Dee Ford, but instead Kerry Hyder Jr. and Arik Armstead.
No cornerback Richard Sherman, but instead Jason Verrett (a worthy vote) with Emmanuel Moseley.
No strong safety Jaquiski Tartt, but instead Marcell Harris, who played strongside linebacker last game
So jumbled are things that, while there is no Ben Garland or Weston Richburg at center, Daniel Brunskill is instead there after only playing the last two games at that spot. Brunskill shifted from right guard, where Tom Compton is on the ballot after just two games there.
Alas, there will be no Pro Bowl for this season, just an honor roll because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Those rosters will be deployed virtually into an EA Sports Madden NFL 21 contest.
Last year, the NFC champion 49ers had only four selected to the Pro Bowl: Bosa, Kittle, Sherman and fullback Kyle Juszczyk, and the latter should make it again this season.
A lternates last year among the 49ers were Armstead, Garoppolo, Mostert, Richburg, Joe Staley, DeForest Buckner, Jimmie Ward and Fred Warner, the latter of whom should earn his first Pro Bowl nod in three seasons this year.
KINLAW ADDED TO RESERVE LIST >> As the NFL orders all teams into intensive precautions, the 49ers added rookie Javon Kinlaw onto the COVID-19 reserve list, two days after fellow defensive lineman Arik Armstead went on it.
It’s not immediately known if Kinlaw tested positive or was added on that list as a high-risk contact of Armstead’s. Both started in Sunday’s 27-13 loss at New Orleans.
The 49ers were under the NFL’s “intensive COVID-19 protocol” last week, and while that would have resumed this week with Armstead’s initial status, this is the bye week so virtual meetings were on the schedule, anyhow.
49ERS GETS TAKK MCKINLEY THIS TIME >> A 49ers team waylaid by injuries this season has added, in a fitting twist, a player who just failed a Cincinnati Bengals physical and reverted to the waiver wire.
That player, however, is worth bringing aboard, and the 49ers claimed defensive end Takk McKinley, ESPN first reported.
McKinley, a Kennedy High-Richmond product, is coming back to the Bay Area.
If healthy, he can help the 49ers (4- 6) in a desperate shot at the playoffs. Otherwise, the 49ers can get to know the 6-foot-2, 250-pound Oakland native before he hits free agency in March.
Two weeks ago, McKinley tweeted his dismay that the Atlanta Falcons had declined trade offers for him not only this year but last year, when he initially requested a trade.
Last week, the Falcons waived McKinley, a 2017 first-round draft pick ( No. 26) out of UCLA. The Bengals beat out the 49ers to originally claim McKinley off waivers, only to release him Tuesday because of a failed physical for an undisclosed issue. McKinley battled a groin injury his final Falcons season.