The San Francisco 49ers are gearing up for the final push toward the 2025 postseason. How far they will be able to go will depend on their health and how many young players perform. Especially since some are reserves who are playing for injured players.
We opened the 49ers Webzone Mailbag to see what questions were fresh on your mind. You had some great ones, as always. Thank you for those. Let's take a look at those questions.
What's up with Elliott's knee? He was a last-minute scratch. I think getting Bethune and Kendricks will help the run defense. Regarding the secondary, are they still missing assignments? - CG Veramandi
Jordan Elliott somehow aggravated his knee during stretching/warm-ups before the game last Sunday. It happened in the locker room, which makes it even more strange. But he was expected back at practice this week. As of Thursday, Elliott is not practicing, which is concerning regarding his availability for Monday night. The good news is that he has an extra day to recover. And that's a good thing because the 49ers will need him as they prepare to face a very good run game.
The secondary did not have a good game on Sunday, especially the safeties. Malik Mustapha dropped an interception that hit him right in the hands, and later tried to catch another that he was waiting to come down to him instead of going up to get it or knock it down. That resulted in a deep completion at the one-yard line.
Renardo Green continues to get fooled on double moves. I also thought Jason Pinnock had a bad game. So it wasn't a great day for the secondary.
Does Ricky Pearsall have the best hands of any 49ers receiver ever? - Steve N.
Ricky Pearsall has excellent hands. He seems to catch everything around him. But does he have the best hands in 49ers history? It's probably too early to say that, but let's see if we can name some with better hands.
The first name that pops into my head is Anquan Boldin. He had vice grips for hands, and I can't recall him dropping a pass when he was with the 49ers. He even caught those lasers that Colin Kaepernick threw from a few yards away.
Brandon Lloyd is certainly in the running. Who could forget some of the one-handed catches he made for the 49ers? He was sick!
Dwight Clark was known to have great hands. That big catch against the Cowboys in January of 1982 is proof of that. You may have seen that one.
I'm sure I'm forgetting some, but I also remember Brent Jones (the newest member of the 49ers Hall of Fame) having great hands. And then there's that Jerry Rice guy. He somehow made catches that few could make.
Jim Harbaugh once said that Michael Crabtree had the best hand he'd ever seen. I love Harbaugh, but I never thought Crabtree was anything special.
So, does Pearsall have the best hands of all the 49ers pass catchers in history? Probably not, but he still has time to prove me otherwise.
Can the defense stop Jonathan Taylor on Monday? - Vanessa M.
Can the defense stop Jonathan Taylor? It's unlikely. But if they can slow him down and keep that Indianapolis running game in check, they will win the game on Monday night. If they can't, they will probably lose. To me, it is as simple as that.
Then again, turnovers will have an effect. So, protect the football and slow down Taylor and the Colts' run game. If they do that, they should win this game.
What is your prediction for the 49ers' record in the last 3 games? Being completely realistic and considering how bad this defense can be, I am thinking they will be lucky to win 1 of the games, and Indy is probably the best shot. - KCarps
It depends on how they play. I realize that's an obvious statement. The offense is clicking, and if they continue that way, they could potentially win all three games.
For me, it all comes down to the defense. That's the weakness of the team. Can they stop the other team's run games? That's my biggest concern. They play three good running teams. The quarterbacks don't scare me, but the run games do.
If the defense can play well enough and the offense can be efficient and protect the football, I believe they will go at least 2-1 in the final three games. I predict the 49ers won't win out and get the number one seed, but they will do enough to get in the playoffs. And once they get in, they can do some damage.
Of course, I'd love for them to prove me wrong and win all three. I just think it's unlikely.
Assuming, as seems inevitable now, that Aiyuk is gone next year...who would you like to see the Niners go out and spend that money on? - Scott B.
I believe the 49ers should bring back Jauan Jennings, but shouldn't pay him the big contract he wants. He's not a number one. And he probably isn't a number two. But he's the best blocking wide receiver in the league and is a perfect compliment to Pearsall and another legitimate wide receiver.
Is Pearsall WR1? I'm not sure he is yet, partly because he's missed so many games. But he has the potential to be that. He's certainly an excellent WR2 if he can stay healthy.
If the 49ers were able to bring in a legitimate number one wideout (and I don't believe they will), with Pearsall as the WR2 and Jennings as the WR3, that would be a dangerous group. But the 49ers aren't going to pursue a high-priced free agent at this position. And I doubt they'll trade for one either.
There's the draft, but that's not the best option because Kyle Shanahan is hesitant to play rookie wide receivers (except Deebo Samuel). That leaves us with hoping Jordan Watkins and Jacob Cowing can turn into something. But hope isn't a plan, so we have to trust that Shanahan and John Lynch have a plan that's better than counting on a couple of young guys who have barely played.
What should be on the 49ers' list for Santa this Christmas? Ed H.
Three wins and a Los Angeles Rams loss. That would give San Francisco the number one seed in the NFC, home-field advantage, and a bye week. That's exactly what they need from Santa this year.
Oh, and if it's not asking too much, how about a Fred Warner return just in time for the Divisional Round of the postseason? That's all. Thanks, Santa.
That's all we have for this edition of the 49ers Webzone Mailbag. We'll be back with a new one soon. Have a Merry Christmas!