It's only been two games, and the San Francisco 49ers have already started dealing with injuries that could affect them on the field. But they're 2-0 and looking to stay unbeaten this week against the Arizona Cardinals. Divisional games are tricky, so I'm not expecting a blowout as in the previous two weeks.

We opened the 49ers Webzone Mailbag to see what burning questions you needed to ask. We received some great ones. Thanks to all who submitted them. Let's take a look.


Is it time for Jordan Watkins to play next week against the Cardinals? - Shawniieboy


I don't know if it's "Jordan Watkins time" or not, but it's time for Watkins to show why the coaches kept him on the roster. Kyle Shanahan said as much on Monday, suggesting Watkins and Jacob Cowing have to step up. On Tuesday, the 49ers signed veteran WR Brandin Cooks to the practice squad.

That's good for depth at the position. But is it good for Watkins? Is it a sign that the coaches don't trust him? If they don't, I'm not sure why he's still on the roster.

Which two safeties do you think are the best pairing for the Niners? I kind of think J'Ayir Brown is the weak link and that Mustapha should pair with Sigle. Thoughts? - Andy G.


If you've read much of what I've written in the past, you know that I've been hard on Ji'Ayir Brown. He still makes too many mistakes and is too inconsistent. But Brown is playing better. He made a big mistake in week one, but on Sunday, he had a great game, leading the team in tackles. So I'm not sure if move him out of the starting lineup just yet.

I understand the argument (and have made the argument) for Malik Mustapha and Marques Sigle to be the safeties because both players bring some intriguing physical traits. And that may be where this is headed. But Brown has also shown that he can make plays around the football.

Whatever pairing Raheem Morris uses, Sigle will be part of it. He's been very good so far and is making plays all over the field. He's legit and could be the safety the 49ers have been wanting for a while. This play alone should keep Sigle in the lineup.



Can Jerry Rice come out and run a few routes for us? Do you think the 49ers stay the course with WRs? What do they do to improve their porous middle? If memory serves me correctly, Morris with the falcons we gashed the middle of their d. Is it a combination of personnel or scheme? - Lowbridge


Yes, and while we're at it, let's get Charles Haley for some pass rush help and Bryant Young for some help at defensive tackle. We can dream, right?

At wide receiver, the young guys need to step up, as I already mentioned. Bringing in Cooks will push the young guys, especially Watkins. It will also give them another veteran to learn from. And Cooks may still be valuable on the field. He played well in. Buffalo last season.

As for the middle of the defense, it's both personnel and scheme. The encouraging part is that Morris has already shown a willingness to adjust based on the players available to him. Gracen Halton, for example, saw an increased role and played extremely well against Miami. The 49ers need better interior disruption, and they are reportedly adding someone who may be able to help, signing veteran DT Naquan Jones off the Vikings practice squad. He's a big defensive tackle who can help stop the run.

How will this rash of injuries affect the 49ers in the next three games against Arizona, Denver and Seattle? - Ed H.


This will test the depth of this roster. The injuries aren't concentrated in one position, either. The 49ers have taken hits at receiver and along the defensive line, while Romello Height also suffered a broken hand. Demarcus Robinson and James Thompson Jr. could both miss several weeks with high-ankle sprains.

The good news is that there is some depth at these positions, though young and untested. We're going to find out how good that depth actually is. I've already mentioned the need for the young receivers to play a bigger role.


On the defensive line, Halton is already showing that he's capable of handling additional snaps. The timing isn't ideal with Arizona, Denver, and Seattle coming up, but this is also where having Shanahan, Morris, and a veteran core becomes important.

My biggest concerns over those games are stopping the run against Arizona and Seattle, and the wide receiver situation against Denver and Seattle.

Does 49ers Webzone think Deebo will be taken off kickoff duties and even be in the backfield due to all the WR injuries? That would be a huge dynamic change for the special teams & offense. - The Parisian Ballad


Possibly, but I think it's more likely that Deebo Samuel continues to return kicks. The 49ers can't afford to eliminate the versatility that makes him difficult to defend. I'd expect them to be selective with how they use Samuel rather than simply putting him back at full-time receiver and abandoning the return and rushing let of his game.

With James Thompson, Jr. injured, along with Romello Height, who do you see stepping up in their respective roles? - Shawniieboy


The first name that jumps out is Halton. He's already getting that opportunity, and he gave the coaching staff plenty of reason to keep giving him snaps after his performance against Miami. The 49ers are particularly thin on the defensive line after losing Alfred Collins for the season and now Thompson Jr. to what could be a multi-week absence.

At edge rusher, I think Keion White and Ogbo Okoronkwo are going to have to absorb more responsibility. It's possible Height plays this week, but the 49ers will probably continue looking at the practice squad and available veterans.


Haven't really heard much about Connor Colby these past couple of games. Is it safe to assume that he's doing well at LG? - Andy G.


That's a good thing. Offensive linemen don't usually make headlines when they're doing their jobs. So yes, I'd say it's fair to assume Connor Colby is doing a solid job. He's still only in his second season, and this is a big opportunity for him to establish himself as a legitimate long-term option at guard. If we're talking about him less because we're not seeing obvious mistakes, that's a pretty positive development for a young offensive lineman.

How do you prioritize the positions in order of replacement need, and will the 9ers use their cap space and $ to make a run, particularly given the ownership disarray? - Mickey W.


It depends on who you ask, but the biggest area of concern for me is the run defense. Yes, the 49ers need help at wide receiver. And they also need help at edge rusher.

Hopefully Cooks can provide some depth at wide receiver. So far, Morris has shown an ability to scheme up a little bit of pass rush. But this is still an area of need.

The biggest need to me, however, is run defense. Mykel Williams will return at some point, and he'll help. That's his strength.

So I guess I'd answer it this way:



If they get further in the season and determine one of those areas is holding them back, then I believe they'll make a move to get some help. I don't think a trade would be soon. It's still too early in the season.

That's all we have for this week's edition of the 49ers Webzone Mailbag. We'll be back next week with a new one.

Written By:

Marc Adams


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