This is a crucial week for the San Francisco 49ers. After Thanksgiving, they travel to face the Buffalo Bills on Sunday Night Football. While few (if any) expect the 49ers to win this game, you never know. The 49ers may rekindle that fire that has been missing all season long. If they can be the team they were in the third quarter of the game against the Dallas Cowboys, perhaps they can turn things around. But if not, fans will start looking at draft prospects.
We opened the 49ers Webzone Mailbag to hear from you. Many thanks to all who submitted questions. And thanks also, to you, for reading.
Enough with the mushy stuff, let's jump into the mailbag and see what's on your mind.
In the following weeks will Mason finally get more touches? At least alternating drives with maybe CMC being in on passing situations more. - Tim P.
I think one of the most frustrating things about Kyle is that he overuses his stars to the point that they become injury-prone and fatigued come playoff time. Why isn't Mason involved more? It seems like CMC might be too stubborn to get subbed out as well. - Andy G.
One of the questions 49ers fans are asking the most is why Kyle Shanahan (and RB coach Bobby Turner) aren't using Jordan Mason more, especially since Christian McCaffrey doesn't look like his normal self. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I don't expect things to change anytime soon. Shanahan and Turner will continue to use McCaffrey as much as they can. It's what they've done the past two seasons, and it's what they've been doing so far this season. This is likely more of a Turner decision than anyone else since Shanahan is the play-caller. And Turner really trusts McCaffrey more than he trusts Mason or Isaac Guerendo.
If Elijah Mitchell was healthy, maybe he would play more than Mason has the past three weeks. Turner has always seemed to have a lot of faith in Mitchell.
I want to know what happened to the defense. - Annette B.
Here's the defense in a nutshell:
- They've been missing some key players (Nick Bosa, Javon Hargrave, Dre Greenlaw, Charvarius Ward, and Talanoa Hufanga).
- They look exhausted (physically and mentally).
- They have a new defensive coordinator, and he may be in over his head.
That may be oversimplifying things, but those are three major issues that have led to the issues we're seeing on defense.
Might it be time to call in a bugler to play "Taps" on the 49ers season? Or instead, shall we wait for a portly lady to sing? - Ed H.
Whoever you're calling on, they're warming up and ready to play. If the 49ers lose Sunday night in Buffalo, and they likely will, they'll still be mathematically in the race. But the road to climb will be extremely steep.
To me, this team doesn't look like they have another run in them, at least for this season. I don't see the fire they've played with in previous seasons. Remember a couple of years ago, when every team that played the 49ers lost their next game? That team isn't here anymore.
Will there be a DC change in season? I know San Francisco doesn't do that, but the season is on the line. They can't afford another loss. Maybe let Staley call the plays for the rest of the season. It's clear Sorensen is in over his head. - Tristan C.
No, I'd be shocked if Shanahan fired Nick Sorensen or Brian Schneider (special teams) during the season. Perhaps Brandon Staley would be doing a better job, but up to this point, Staley hasn't been part of the solution. So unless Staley is offering suggestions that Sorensen is ignoring, I don't expect a change during the season.
Up-to-date status on Purdy's health? - Tim P.
We should learn more over the next couple of days, but the MRIs Brock Purdy has undergone have no shown any issues that the 49ers are concerned about. It sounds like he's thrown this week, without any problems. So unless something new surfaces, Purdy should be able to play on Sunday.
The run defense was getting cut up like Wisconsin cheese yesterday! I know this has been a season-long issue, but what do you consider the main factor: the wide 9? Which btw is ineffective without Bosa. The Niners going cheap on interior D linemen? I hated to see Warner whiff on so many tackles too! - Andy G.
The wide-nine is susceptible to being run on, so yes, that could be part of the issue. Injuries are another part of the problem. But perhaps the biggest issue is that the 49ers don't have great run-stuffers on defense. Kalia Davis and Jordan Elliott were supposed to be, but they haven't looked like it this season.
It doesn't help that Greenlaw has been out, or that Arik Armstead left in the offseason. I believe the turnover, especially along the defensive line, has caught up with them. They have to improve the defensive line in the offseason.
When is Greenlaw's practice window expected to open? - Dennis S.
It opened on Monday, so Greenlaw should be back at practice this week. The team has three weeks to decide what to do with him. They can activate him (like they did with McCaffrey) or end his season (like Feliciano).
The only question I have is when are all the injured starters coming back. Are they gonna be back to make a run, because if not, there's no need to risk injury to the starters who are out there, especially Christian! - Lawrence K.
Purdy should be able to play on Sunday. Bosa and Trent Williams are up in the air, but they shouldn't be out too long. Greenlaw had his practice window opened on Monday, so he's getting closer. Ward (not injured) should be back before too long. Jon Feliciano is out for the rest of the season. I haven't heard any updates on Hufanga.
How can the defense be so bad without Bosa? They talk a lot but when it comes to performing, so soft, missing tackles, etc. Do you have a quick fix other than Dre maybe coming back? - Stefan A.
I don't believe there is a quick fix for the 49ers defense, even when Greenlaw returns. If he returns, along with Ward and Hufanga, that will help. But their issues are deeper than simply bringing back a few injured starters.
We do need a better strength and conditioning department. I know Stanford … blah blah blah. Is it an option to change during the offseason? - Jason B.
Yes, it is an option, but they made a change in that area a few years ago. So would Shanahan and John Lynch make that move again? Perhaps, if they believe it's the best move for the players. But the injuries on this team are likely not due to the strength and conditioning staff, but rather the deep playoff runs and the style of football the 49ers have played.
And then there's luck. Some seasons it goes your way. Some seasons it doesn't.
Why is Deebo being regulated to decoy these past few games? Do you think he's nursing an injury or maybe just not in the best shape? I really think he needs to be more involved if we expect to win games. - Andy G.
Indeed, Deebo Samuel hasn't touched the ball as much lately. And when he has, it hasn't gone so well. He had the long kickoff return that was called back for holding (even though it didn't look like a penalty). But Samuel had a couple of big drops in Green Bay, as well. One of those turned into an interception.
Even before the game with the Packers, Samuel was not looking as strong and fast. This season, he hasn't broken tackles like he has in previous years. It will be interesting to see what happens with him in the offseason. Might the 49ers get rid of their "wide-back?" If his body is keeping him from being the Deebo Samuel of old, they could. Route-running isn't his strength. They've relied on short passes to get him the ball and let him break tackles. He hasn't done that this season.
So I'm not sure he's been a decoy. I think he's just not getting open enough. And Shanahan isn't using him like he has been accustomed to doing, especially since McCaffrey returned.
That's all we have for this week's edition of the 49ers Webzone mailbag. Have a happy Thanksgiving and try not to eat too much. We'll be back next week with a brand-new mailbag.