Shanahan hopes his ‘nerdy group’ rests up for Thursday
SANTA CLARA — Coach Kyle Shanahan warned his 49ers not to celebrate Sunday’s lopsided win over Atlanta, not with a quick turnaround to visit the AFC South-leading Tennessee Titans on Thursday night.
Did they heed that advice?
“They played pretty hard. They don’t have a ton of energy after games,” Shanahan said Monday. “I feel we’ve got kind of a nerdy group after games. They make up for in the offseason, I’m sure, though.”
Safety Jaquiski Tartt, for instance, celebrated by dining on coconut shrimp and chips at a restaurant down the road from Levi’s Stadium, according to Tartt’s Instagram. That was a just reward after what Shanahan called one of Tartt’s best games of the season, adding: “He was everywhere.”
Tartt played through an ankle injury and is “day to day,” part of the team’s low casualty count after their 31-13 win over Atlanta. Fellow safety Talanoa Hufanga has a sprained knee. Running back Elijah Mitchell (knee) and linebacker Azeez Al-shaair (elbow) did not play but have a chance to do so Thursday, if cleared, Shanahan said.
The 49ers won’t have any full practices this week. They’ll have a light practice Tuesday, and Shanahan otherwise wants them to take it easy when not cramming the game plan. “In my experience and what I’ve been told, the best thing for recovery is sleep,” Shanahan said.
The 49ers are 1 1/2
games behind the Rams (9-4) before Los Angeles hosts the Seattle Seahawks (5-8) on Tuesday night. The New Orleans Saints (7-7) moved into the NFC'S seventh and final playoff spot Sunday but either Washington or the Philadelphia Eagles can match that record when they face off Tuesday.
Sunday's win marked the 49ers' fifth time (all wins) in eight games they've scored at least 30 points.
“Even though we've had some injuries, for the most part, the same group's been out there. They've had a lot of reps together and gotten crisper at that,” Shanahan said. “We've got a bunch of playmakers and we've just gotten better not hurting ourselves. The less we hurt ourselves, the more we produce in yards and points.”
That lesson came across Sunday night as Shanahan reviewed film of the Titans, who committed four turnovers to torpedo their 19-13 loss at Pittsburgh.
“They have the same mentality in all three phases with how physical they play,” Shanahan said. “They dominated yesterday's game, held (the Steelers) to about 170 yards, they turned the ball over three times in the fourth quarter and (Pittsburgh) got three field goals.
“I know they lost a really tough game yesterday and we'll have our work cut out for us on Thursday night.”
Pro Bowl progress
Left tackle Trent Williams and tight end George Kittle received a late wave of support to finish first at their respective NFC positions in Pro Bowl fan voting. Defensive end Nick Bosa led all defensive players in fan voting, and Kyle Juszczyk took first among fullbacks.
Other 49ers in the top 10 on fan ballots (among both conferences): linebacker Fred Warner (fourth), guard Laken Tomlinson (fourth), center Alex Mack (sixth), return specialist Brandon Aiyuk (sixth), free safety Jimmie Ward (eighth), special teams player Trenton Cannon (eighth).
Official Pro Bowl nods come out Wednesday once the NFL factors in coach and player voting. The Pro Bowl is scheduled for Feb. 6 in Las Vegas.
Cornerbavck issues
Cornerback Emmanuel Moseley must remain on injured reserve through Thursday's game, and Shanahan noted: “It's still going to be some time. We'd be fortunate to get him by L.A. (the Jan. 9 regular-season finale). If he can't do it, then we'll find a way to make sure we're still playing after that game.”
R ookie Ambry Thomas drew mixed reviews after his second straight start. “He did some good things in the game but definitely gave up some plays also with his penalties and getting beat there at the end,” Shanahan said. “He had some decent coverage, but has to do a better job making a play on the ball and not giving up a catch.”
Johnson’s tribute
All of Dontae Johnson's 12 snaps Monday came on special teams. He had been slated to replace Moseley in the lineup, but Johnson's mother, Holli Garner, passed away last Sunday and he did not rejoin the team until Friday's practice.
Johnson wrote a touching tribute to her on Instagram, which read in part: “I want to thank you for being so actively involved in my life and helping me accomplish everything and anything I want to. From driving me to numerous sports practices to countless hours of helping me with shoool work, I couldn't and wouldn't be here without you. I want to thank you for your beautiful approach to life and whatever it had to offer.”
Notes
• Shanahan had no indication that defensive end Nick Bosa experienced any complications overnight. He was cleared from a potential concussion and returned to the game Sunday. Mitchell and linebacker Marcell Harris went into the concussion protocol earlier this month after reporting symptoms a day after their games.
• Mitch Wishnowsky’s inability to turn kickoffs into touchbacks has Shanahan concerned about late-season fatigue. “Hopefully we can get him his juice back,” Shanahan said. “If not, we're definitely going to have to mix Robbie (Gould) in there to help him out.”
• Tarvarius Moore, who tore his Achilles in spring workouts, is not expected to play at all this season, and the 49ers are holding out hope that fellow safety Tavon Wilson (foot) might return, but there's been no target date set.