Charles! Charles!: 49ers’ CB shortage inspired sideline confusion

Charles!: 49ers' CB shortage inspired sideline confusion Niners secondary coach Tim Lewis screamed the name on the sideline during the second quarter of a 17-16 win over the Falcons on Nov. 8. The 49ers started the game with three of their top four cornerbacks sidelined, and Lewis began hollering as emergency starter Marcus Cromartie was leaving the field because of a busted lip that would require three stitches. Cromartie's temporary exit meant Lewis had to call on a cornerback who had been signed to the practice squad five days earlier and promoted to the 53-man roster 24 hours before kickoff. Despite the cornerback shortage, that was one of the few examples of a miscommunication as the undermanned 49ers limited an offense headlined by quarterback Matt Ryan and wide receiver Julio Jones to one touchdown. The 49ers didn't have starters Tramaine Brock (shin) and Kenneth Acker (concussion), or backup Keith Reaser (ankle). Before kickoff, FOX sideline reporter Jen Hale asked Lewis how he planned to stop the high-powered Falcons with a rag-tag bunch. "I was like 'I wonder if we can play Canadian football,'" Lewis said. The 23-year NFL coaching veteran is a former cornerback with an...