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This is the eighth installation of Thursday Thoughts, a series that looks at key topics across the NFL landscape. After we’ve waited and waited and waited for some clarity, the time has come to assess where the San Francisco 49ers stand, now and in the future.
The offseason and preseason, usually, are times for joy. This guy is in the best shape of his life … This guy lost bad weight … This guy gained good weight … This guy has a new diet … This guy is back from injury and looking better than ever … This guy is ready to break out … The possibilities are endless when there’s a zero in the loss column.
When it comes to the 49ers, though, things aren’t so peachy. This guy (Christian McCaffrey) is dealing with a calf strain and has barely practiced. These guys (Brandon Aiyuk and Trent Williams) are also not practicing because they’re unhappy with their contracts, and that has meant this guy (Brock Purdy) has had a less-than-fun preseason without his normally excellent support system.
It’s not just the biggest names. These guys (linebacker Dre Greenlaw and cornerback Ambry Thomas) won’t be back until well into the season. Another guy (guard Aaron Banks) is in a race to be ready for Week 1 after breaking his pinkie. These guys (offseason edge-rusher additions Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos) suffered knee injuries — albeit minor — on back-to-back preseason plays, and that’s already with another guy at the position (Drake Jackson) done for the season.
Every team deals with injuries, and one could argue bumps and bruises happening now is better than them happening later.
But not every team deals what the 49ers are dealing with regarding Aiyuk and Williams, and dealing with it right now — with the 49ers right in a Super Bowl window they’ve been oh-so-close to breaking through — is close to the worst-case scenario.
The Aiyuk quandary has persisted for months, well…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/49ers-enter-2024-season-with-legit-concerns-amid-super-bowl-aspirations-last-chance-at-title-run/
Author : Zachary Pereles
Publish date : 2024-08-29 15:25:46
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