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Hargrave’s injury absence creates daunting task for 49ers’ defense originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SANTA CLARA – It would be a misnomer and quite foolish to even hint that the 49ers will be just fine along their defensive line without Javon Hargrave.
The two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle, who appears almost certainly headed for Injured Reserve after suffering a triceps injury last week against the Los Angeles Rams, is an anchor on the front line and one of the 49ers’ leaders inside and outside of the locker room.
While Hargrave’s absence leaves a clear void along San Francisco’s defensive front, pass rushing extraordinaire Nick Bosa is less concerned about who will take his place in the lineup than he is about not having Hargrave’s presence around.
“We’ve all practiced a good amount together, whoever’s going to in there,” Bosa said Wednesday. “We all went through camp together. The biggest thing is missing ‘Grave around the facility. We all eat breakfast together as a D-line and he’s always laughing and smiling.”
Hargrave’s upbeat personality has been credited for helping to keep the positive vibes going inside the 49ers’ facility at Levi’s Stadium in spite of the team’s shaky start to the 2024 season.
Part of the problem for the defense this season has been a serious lack of pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The 49ers had a top-10 pass rush each of the last two seasons but have generated only eight sacks in their three games this season.
Hargrave had one of those eight but historically has been great at getting to the quarterback, having notched 45 ½ sacks during his career.
Without him in the lineup, the 49ers are going to have to get creative in finding ways to put the pressure on.
Jordan Elliott, a third-round draft pick by the Cleveland Browns in 2020 who has played sparingly in San Francisco’s first three games this season, is the leading candidate to fill in for Hargrave on Sunday against the New England Patriots…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/hargraves-injury-absence-creates-daunting-234327980.html
Author : NBC Sports BayArea
Publish date : 2024-09-25 23:43:27
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