The San Francisco 49ers continue with their practices heading into the Week 7 game where they will receive a visit from the Kansas City Chiefs. Although the team still has several injured players, some of them have already returned to training or at least continue to participate in practices on a limited basis. Tight end George Kittle also mentioned a couple of very important things that San Francisco will have to do to have a better chance of beating the Chiefs. Other team members provided their thoughts on Kansas City.
The Defensive Recovers Collins
This week’s challenge is great when facing a quarterback like Patrick Mahomes. Therefore, it was very important to see the starting defensive tackle, Maliek Collins, back in practice this Thursday, who was absent on Wednesday due to knee problems. Today Collins managed to participate in training at least to a limited extent. On the other hand, it is also very good news that the 49ers’ star cornerback, Charvarius Ward, who did not play in the last game in Seattle due to a knee injury, continues to practice fully this week.
Rest of Participation
The injury list in San Francisco is long, but some players are at least still training on a limited basis. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (wrist) practiced Thursday for the second consecutive day on a limited basis, as did running back Jordan Mason, who is dealing with the shoulder issue he suffered against the Seahawks.
Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (knee), cornerback Darrell Luter Jr. (pelvis) and safety Malik Mustapha (ankle) have managed limited training Wednesday and Thursday. However, the 49ers have three players who have not managed to practice so far this week. Wide receiver Jauan Jennings (hip) and kickers Jake Moody (right ankle) and Matthew Wright (shoulder, back) remain unable to participate in practice. Even this Thursday defensive tackle, Kevin Givens, was also unable to practice due to a groin problem.
Mahomes Always Does Different Things
We talked at the beginning about the challenge of facing the Chiefs’ Mahomes and 49ers defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen talked about the qualities of Mahomes that always make him a dangerous quarterback. The coordinator does not believe that having familiarity with facing it will help much.
“Any time you face Mahomes it will be difficult. The (familiarity) helps a little because you understand how to prepare, but he is very difficult because he never does the same thing. His throwing angles are never the same, he doesn’t have to plant his feet, “Sometimes yes, he’s very good at reading the defense and throwing where he needs to. So it helps you understand who he is, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re automatically going to be successful because he’s very good,” Sorensen said.
Keys Against the Chiefs
For his part, tight end George Kittle pointed out some things that will be essential for the 49ers when facing a team like the Chiefs.
“My two keys to victory, 100 percent my opinion and nothing that anyone else has said, I believe that every time we have played against the Chiefs we have had multiple turnovers on offense and you simply cannot turn the ball over against a team that has Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce on their side. Because they can really score whenever they want and their offense is very complicated and difficult to have a game plan against. So not to suffer turnovers and I would simply love to carry the ball. ball 30 times. I think those are my two things. Stay on the field and dominate the time of possession and not give the ball away,” Kittle said.
Chemistry with Pearsall
Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall continues to practice fully with the 49ers after having his training period open since Monday, although it is not yet known when the team will decide to activate him for the 53-player roster. Meanwhile, San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy highlighted the qualities that Pearsall offers to the offense and that can help a lot.
“He’s doing a really good job, obviously coming back and bringing the energy, running very fast on his cuts out and in and creating really good separation. And then, obviously, we drafted him in the first round and he has a lot of potential. And yeah, for him to come in and actually be a part of our offense, not just be a young guy that’s trying to learn, but actually someone that’s trying to make an impact very early, to me, I love it. .He’s another great option and another part of our offense. And so, I think obviously tomorrow we go over our plan in the red zone and that, but to answer your question, when you have a guy like Ricky who can win man-to-man matchups. and then also making other guys stand out, that’s always a good thing. So, I’m excited to see what he does,” Purdy concluded.
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