The San Francisco 49ers expect to be healthier when they exit their bye week. Can they remain healthy down the stretch? That's the great unknown. But, if they can, most expect this much-improved roster to be a force in the second half of the season.
"Their weakness over the years a little bit has been just [being] unlucky with injuries," NFL Network analyst Steve Mariucci said Thursday on KNBR's Tolbert & Copes show.
Count Mariucci among those who expect the 49ers to be tough to beat going forward, though. The former 49ers head coach shared that he sees so much talent on the roster, naming players like linebacker Fred Warner and others expected to return, like wide receiver Deebo Samuel and defensive lineman Arik Armstead.
"They've just done a really good job with personnel," Mariucci shared. "When you look at the roster, over the last year or two, they have rewarded their blue-chip players with [making them] the highest-paid in the National Football League. Fred Warner was the highest linebacker. Trent Williams was the highest left tackle. I think he still is. Kyle Juszczyk's the highest-paid fullback. [Tight end George] Kittle was well up there. [Defensive end Nick] Bosa's going to be up there when he signs a new deal.
"They've got guys that are top, top, top in the National Football League at their respective positions, and when healthy, they should play great, and they are.
"I mean, who can run the table? That's a tough thing to do, but the 49ers will win almost every one of their games until the end of the season. It's going to be a strong finish for them."
The remainder of the season, and San Francisco's playoff hopes, may depend on the team's newest running back, Christian McCaffrey. The 49ers acquired the star player on October 20 via a trade with the Carolina Panthers.
"It's all about the usage of Christian McCaffrey," Mariucci explained. "If he can stay healthy—he's had some great years when he's playing all 16 games, but then he's missed [several games] over the last couple of years. ... if he plays and he's healthy, and he has been—this is really a good year for him—I can see some consistency with both sides of the ball because not only is he a good pass receiver ... if he can get 15 to 20 rushes a game, and control the ball, make first downs, that makes your defense better too. They're off the field, and it makes all your play-action passes better for [quarterback] Jimmy [Garoppolo]."
The Niners return to the football field on Sunday, November 13, when they host the Los Angeles Chargers at Levi's Stadium.
You can listen to the entire conversation with Mariucci below.