It seems like injuries have impacted the San Francisco 49ers no matter where you look on the team's roster. On Sunday, fans saw what Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick was able to do against an injury-depleted group of 49ers cornerbacks. Injuries have decimated the pass rush. Now, linebacker Kwon Alexander is expected to be out indefinitely with a high-ankle sprain.
You would think Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay would be salivating at the opportunity to attack the injury-plagued 49ers defense. That isn't the case, though. He has too much respect for his division rival, coached by his good friend, Kyle Shanahan.
McVay was asked about the losses along the defensive line, including pass rushers Nick Bosa and Dee Ford. The coach went on to offer up a scouting report of Robert Saleh's entire defense.
"Those are guys who are phenomenal football players," McVay responded. "But I still think Coach Saleh has done a great job of mixing it up, providing some variety on early downs, moving the front. Guys play really hard. They're very sound. And you see some of the third-down designers. This is always a challenge, and you see the coaching, you see the ability to get guys in good spots.
"I look at this front, and I see (Arik) Armstead is still playing really well. I see really good flashes from (Javon) Kinlaw. (Kerry) Hyder plays outstanding; just effort snap in and snap out. I think Fred Warner's one of the best players in his league that doesn't get enough credit. And then getting (Emmanuel) Moseley and (Ahkello) Witherspoon back at the corner, and Jimmie Ward and (Jaquiski) Tartt's versatility at the safety positions."
The 49ers own a 2-3 record. That places them in last place within the NFC West and two games behind the Rams. McVay knows that five games are hardly enough to assume anything, though.
"There's still great players," McVay continued. "I see a very tough defense, and I know what a great challenge it's going to be. We have too much familiarity, and we've gone against them too many times to not expect their best. And I know it's going to be a phenomenal challenge."