Opening comments:
"Good morning. The injury report, [DT] Tony [Jerod-Eddie] is back today. Tony was excused for a family matter yesterday. [WR] Anquan Boldin, we're going to hold him out today. Obviously, he had the hamstring tighten up on him yesterday in practice. We will see where that is. And [RB Carlos] Hyde also, you'll see him working along the side with the guys like he does. That's just the way that will be all the time. It's been that way and will continue to be that way. So, that's all I've got coming out of there."
If Boldin doesn't play, would that allow you to work WR Jerome Simpson into--?
"Yeah, obviously there would be something there, yeah. You've got Jerome, you've got [WR DeAndrew] White."
Jim Tomsula Breaks down Injury Report vs. Rams
Did he aggravate that? I know it's been an issue.
"Yeah, he just said it tightened. He said it tightened up so we're going to make sure we're on the safe side with that."
What have you seen from S Jaquiski Tartt this week? He came into this season with a pretty prominent role on defense. What was it about his offseason that let you think that he was capable of having a big role on defense?
"Obviously, going through the draft process and watching his skill set and all those things. And, meeting the guy and getting a feel for kind of who he is and what he's about. And since he showed up here, he's got a great demeanor and energy about him. Loves playing football. He and [DB] Jimmie Ward, obviously you all know they came out of high school there in Mobile. But, the two of them with that energy that they have and the excitement and the way they work at it. Still young, still young, there's no question about that. But, really works hard at it and is a skilled guy."
Is RB Reggie Bush your number one punt returner now?
"Yeah. I mean, we can say that, but we've got a few guys that we're rolling through there. Reggie is definitely one of those guys."
You guys are playing on an artificial surface for the first time since Carlos suffered the injury, which was on an artificial surface. Does that change anything as far as his use? Do you have to monitor him a little bit more closely?
"I don't think so. And I also think that they're both two different artificial surfaces too. So, all that stuff's looked into. All that stuff's, you know, everybody's always looking into all that. I'm not in that debate and don't necessarily have an opinion on whether that affects you different or not."
What did you mean? Is the St. Louis turf considered--?
"Well, all turfs are, what year did they get put in, every year it's a different, I don't know that we ever play on the exact same turf anywhere. It's like grass. You don't play on the same grass either."
With Carlos not practicing, is it something where you just know whether he's going to be up or down or do you have to watch him a couple hours before the game and just kind of see how he feels when he tests it out on the playing surface?
"Yeah well, the way we go into the week, quite frankly [CSN Bay Area reporter] Matt [Maiocco], is we're expecting to go all the way up to game time. That's just the way we plan. He's got all his assignments, in all the meetings, the walk-thrus, the practice. He's doing all those things. So, and then the medical staff is just letting me know that it could go all the way up to game time. So we just prepare like we're ready to go and all the other guys are ready to go and that's just how we're working through our business."
In other words, you have 53 players who expect to play and then it's up to you guys to determine 90 minutes before?
"Yes. And then obviously with him, the medical staff's a major cog in that wheel."
Do you think he'll need an operation at some point?
"Oh gosh, I'm not going to go into any, I don't speculate. I don't have an opinion when it comes to those things."
You haven't been told anything like that?
"I haven't. No."
You've talked a couple times about LB NaVorro Bowman's snap count, wanting to get that down. It obviously hasn't really gone down. It seems like, maybe I'm reading it wrong, but it sounds like it's up to him, you know, "Hey, I need a blow here." Obviously he's a player and he wants to play and doesn't want to come off the field. Is that an accurate interpretation and if so do you have to as a coach begin to get him off the field if you really want to lessen his snaps?
"Those are all conversations that he and I are having. Obviously it's well documented. The guy has worked his tail off to get back to the football field. He really wants to play football and he really wants to be out there all the time and doing those things. When you have a competitive guy like that, that's part of what makes him who he is. So, ultimately that decision is mine. But, I don't think it's that easy, personally. I think we need to work through this. I do believe, and I've expressed that with him, I want to make sure that we're doing the best thing."
Even if Boldin plays the whole game, would you expect Simpson will get his share of plays and how has he come along since he's been back?
"I haven't said that he's up yet. We don't have the 46 set. So, all those guys are working through all practice all week and we'll finish up today and then we wait until the 90 minutes to get into any of those things."
How's WR Bruce Ellington's health? Has he been able to practice more these last couple of weeks?
"He has, he has. Bruce has been practicing more and moving around well."
It seems like we asked this of Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio every three weeks or so last year; why doesn't DT Tank Carradine get into the game more often? And I know he did in this last contest, but up until then it had been pretty scants snaps.
"Yeah, and we're working on getting those rotations a little more fluid is the word I would use."
With Tony, would he be a full-go?
"Yeah. Tony's a very smart vet."
