The San Francisco 49ers were considered the favorites to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, but injuries to several of their stars have derailed their start to the 2024 NFL season.
The 49ers are ailing on both sides of the football, but particularly on offense, as superstar running back Christian McCaffrey has yet to take the field due to a leg injury.
George Kittle and Deebo Samuel have also missed time, and they are considered questionable for Week 4 against the New England Patriots.
Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan has had to make do at less than full strength so far, though he should be happy with what he’s seen from quarterback Brock Purdy.
Purdy is quietly off to a strong start, showing poise and accuracy in the pocket and making throws to keep the offense on schedule.
Insider David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard praised Purdy for being able to keep the team afloat during this rough patch.
“49ers are still playing as a good offense. But Brock Purdy is having to strain his way to sensational work to make that happen. To be great, SF needs to optimize YAC (yards after catch) again. Returning Kittle, Samuel and eventually CMC should force defenses into more honest alignments,” Lombardi wrote on X.
Not exactly. 49ers are still playing as a good offense. But Brock Purdy is having to strain his way to sensational work to make that happen. To be great, SF needs to optimize YAC again. Returning Kittle, Samuel and eventually CMC should force defenses into more honest alignments https://t.co/DqbSPOe9WS
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) September 28, 2024
As Lombardi notes, the 49ers offense is at its best when it creates yards after the catch, and getting Kittle and Samuel back would go a long way in getting back to that formula, starting against the Patriots.
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