SANTA CLARA — Jimmy Garoppolo didn’t mince words Wednesday about how much the Vikings’ defensive line attrition could help the 49ers for Sunday’s home game.
“It’s a big advantage for us,” Garoppolo said, before doling out ample respect to the Minnesota backups he’ll encounter Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.
Already out this week among the Vikings’ defensive line are starters Danielle Hunter (injured reserve), plus run stuffers Dalvin Tomlinson (COVID reserve) and Michael Pierce (injured reserve).
Then on Wednesday, a more serious situation arose.
Everson Griffen, the Vikings’ four-time Pro Bowl defensive end, posted a troubling video to his social media account that showed him holding a handgun. He required police and mental health counselors at his home Wednesday before ultimately being transported to a health care facility. Three years ago, a mental health episode put his season on hold. Griffen’s prognosis for this season, a secondary issue to his well-being, is unknown.
Sheldon Richardson remains along the Vikings front and ex-49ers prospect Eddie Yarbrough is on the come, but this isn’t the time to get caught undermanned against a red-hot 49ers offensive line that paved the way to wins over the Los Angeles Rams and Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Niners have run the ball 40-plus times in both of the last two games, using a mix of running backs Elijah Mitchell and Trey Sermon along with receiver Deebo Samuel in the backfield. They held onto the ball for at least 38 minutes and piled up more than 150 yards in each game.
“It’s unfortunate for them if they don’t have (the injured players), but it doesn’t change what we do,” coach Kyle Shanahan said of the Vikings defense.
Like the Vikings, the 49ers have injury concerns as Mitchell missed the Jacksonville game with finger and rib injuries. Third-down back JaMychal Hasty has missed the last two games with an ankle injury. Mitchell was limited in practice Wednesday while Hasty did not practice.
Garoppolo knows well enough to respect Minnesota’s fill-ins.
“The guys stepping in are no slouches,” Garoppolo said. “We’ve got to be ready for that. It’s that time of year: next man up.”
GAROPPOLO’S FUTURE
If only Garoppolo could be as assertive about his future.
Simply, neither he nor Shanahan could answer outright Wednesday whether the 49ers’ potential playoff charge gives Garoppolo a better shot at extending his tenure into 2022, further delaying Trey Lance’s ascension to the starting role.
“Honestly, with the possibilities, I try not to close any doors too early,” Garoppolo said. “We’ve got a lot of going on with the season right now. If you think about those other things, you get distracted.
“When we cross that bridge, we’ll assess everything then.”
Indeed. None of the 49ers’ brass has ever ruled out a Garoppolo return, as slim as it might be, because who knows what could unfold if a deep playoff run ensues, if Lance doesn’t pan out, or if teams come calling for a winter trade.
For now, Shanahan said things stand just as they did entering the season: Garoppolo in charge until Lance can beat him out, and that isn’t on the verge of happening, so Shanahan is “not thinking much past that.”
“There’s a chance for anything,” Shanahan added. “But we’ve made it pretty clear that Trey is our guy of the future, whenever that will happen.”
HEALTH UPDATES
Defensive end Dee Ford’s practice window will open Thursday and the 49ers are planning to activate him off injured reserve for Sunday’s game, assuming Ford’s back cooperates.
Linebacker Dre Greenlaw also could be returning Sunday. He continues to practice in a comeback attempt from his Week 1 groin injury.
Limited Wednesday were Mitchell, cornerback Josh Norman (rib) and left guard Laken Tomlinson (ankle). Not practicing were Hasty and defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (calf).
PRAISING WILLIAMS
Left tackle Trent Williams didn’t catch the pass thrown his way for a touchdown Sunday, and that’s about all that’s gone wrong this season for the NFL’s highest-paid offensive lineman. “He’s been playing at an extremely high level this year,” Shanahan said. “I’d say it’s probably the best year Trent’s had, just up to now, in terms of consistency and playing up to that level every week.
Williams, 33, is in his 11th season. “Usually as you get older, the talent goes and you still can execute with wisdom and experience, but I see the same talent and he’s got a lot more years of experience,” Shanahan added.
KEY’S SACK STREAK
Defensive end Arden Key said he wasn’t aware that his three sacks in the past three games matched his sack total his previous three seasons with the Raiders. “I did lose a little confidence early on,” Key said of his career path. “Having my success at LSU, being talked about (as an eventual third-round pick), then the first couple years in the league, not really a blink of Arden Key, itt did something to me. But I kept fighting, kept working and now I’m here.”
HALL OF FAME BID
Four former 49ers are among 26 modern-era semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame: Anquan Boldin (first year of eligibility), Ricky Watters (second-time semifinalist), Bryant Young (2020 finalist, third-time semifinalist) and Patrick Willis (semifinalist in all three years of eligibility). The list will be pared to 15 finalists in early January.
PRO BOWL LEADERS
Defensive end Nick Bosa and fullback Kyle Juszczyk are the only 49ers leading at their respective NFC positions in Pro Bowl voting.
Source: www.mercurynews.com