SANTA CLARA, Calif. —
The San Francisco 49ers have managed games without Deebo Samuel Sr. over the past year and a half, and they’ve also played without Christian McCaffrey during that time. However, they have yet to face the challenge of playing a game without both Samuel and McCaffrey, a test Kyle Shanahan’s offense will confront this Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams.
While Shanahan acknowledged on Wednesday that his play-calling approach will adjust in their absence, he emphasized that the overall playbook won’t necessarily shrink.
“You take out certain things that are tailored specifically for those guys, but the volume of plays stays the same,” Shanahan explained. “It’s just that there are things they excel at. Not that others can’t do them, but the frequency of those calls and the way you use them changes.”
Shanahan will have to find new ways to utilize the remaining offensive weapons as the 49ers prepare for the Rams without two of their most dynamic playmakers.
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49ers Face Challenge Without Deebo Samuel and Christian McCaffrey
The San Francisco 49ers have been without Deebo Samuel Sr. and Christian McCaffrey individually at times, but they’ve never faced the challenge of playing without both simultaneously. That situation arises this Sunday as the 49ers prepare to take on the Los Angeles Rams, forcing head coach Kyle Shanahan to adjust his offensive strategy.
Shanahan acknowledged that while the playbook won’t necessarily shrink without Samuel and McCaffrey, the nature of the plays called will differ.
“You remove certain things designed specifically for them, but the overall number of plays doesn’t change,” Shanahan said. “Those guys excel in areas that others can handle, but how often you call those plays changes.”
Samuel and McCaffrey’s Versatility Missing
Samuel didn’t practice Wednesday but was seen walking without a limp, suggesting his calf injury isn’t as severe as McCaffrey’s Achilles issue. Despite the injuries, the absence of these two players is significant because they’re the most versatile weapons in Shanahan’s offense. Both Samuel and McCaffrey excel in the running and passing game, forcing defenses to make difficult choices about how to cover them.
For example, when McCaffrey was unavailable in Week 1 against the New York Jets, Samuel was deployed in a McCaffrey-like role, giving the 49ers a unique offensive advantage.
Options Without Samuel and McCaffrey
The question now is how the 49ers will adjust without both of their stars. Jordan Mason, their top tailback, brings a hard-hitting style but hasn’t proven himself as a third-down back. So what are Shanahan’s options?
1. Return to Fullback Kyle Juszczyk
The 49ers have faced similar challenges before, like in 2018 when injuries sidelined running backs Jerick McKinnon and Matt Breida. In that season, fullback Kyle Juszczyk stepped up, becoming a reliable third-down option. Juszczyk posted six catches for 75 yards in one early-season game against the Cardinals and ended with a career-high 324 receiving yards.
With McCaffrey out, Juszczyk has already seen more action this season, totaling eight targets and 59 receiving yards in two games. If he maintains this pace, he’s on track for a new career-high of 502 receiving yards, making him a vital asset in the coming weeks.
2. Give Isaac Guerendo a Chance
The 49ers also have young, speedy tailback Isaac Guerendo, who has the potential to serve as a change-of-pace option. Guerendo, a rookie, was a standout wide receiver in high school before switching to running back at Wisconsin and later Louisville, where he caught 22 passes for 234 yards last season.
However, Guerendo’s inexperience and a summer hamstring injury have limited his opportunities this season. He’s only had one carry so far, which resulted in no gain, but Shanahan believes there’s room for growth.
3. Look to Patrick Taylor Jr.
Patrick Taylor Jr. is another option. Recently signed to the 49ers, Taylor brings more experience, having played for the Green Bay Packers over the last three seasons. Though primarily a special teams player, Taylor has familiarity with the 49ers’ offensive scheme, which could help him step into a more prominent role. His most productive year in Green Bay included 11 catches for 49 yards, which could come in handy if Shanahan needs a reliable third-down back.
Conclusion
Without Samuel and McCaffrey, the 49ers will need to get creative in how they utilize their remaining offensive weapons. Whether relying more on Juszczyk’s versatility, giving Guerendo a chance to prove himself, or incorporating the experience of Patrick Taylor, Shanahan has a few options as the team takes on the Rams. Despite the challenge, the 49ers are poised to adapt and maintain their competitive edge.
The San Francisco 49ers have relied on Patrick Taylor Jr.’s NFL experience, primarily as a special teams player for the Green Bay Packers. So far, they’ve used him in a similar role, giving him eight snaps on special teams over the first two games and none on offense.
Another possible option is rookie wide receiver Jacob Cowing, who has experience lining up in the backfield during his time with Arizona. Known for his effectiveness on jet sweeps and screens, plays often designed for Deebo Samuel, Cowing could be an asset in helping the 49ers stretch defenses horizontally. However, the team has been hesitant to use him on offense, likely due to his smaller size—Cowing weighs just 168 pounds. This makes the 49ers cautious about overusing him, particularly on running plays.
Bringing in Outside Help
If the situation worsens, the 49ers might look outside the organization for reinforcements. Despite not bringing in any running backs or receivers for tryouts this past Tuesday, the team could be waiting to assess McCaffrey’s Achilles issue before making any drastic moves. McCaffrey is eligible to return by October 10, in a Thursday night game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Should the 49ers feel the need for an experienced, versatile tailback, they have several options. Matt Breida, who spent the second half of training camp with the 49ers, is still available. Jerick McKinnon, a former 49er, has caught 81 passes and scored 13 touchdowns over the past two seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, although he hasn’t been with a team or practiced since the lead-up to the Super Bowl. A trade could also be an option, with the running-back-rich Miami Dolphins being a potential partner.
Odds & Ends
- Safety Talanoa Hufanga returned to full practice for the first time since tearing his ACL on November 19 and is expected to make his 2024 debut this Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams. “We miss Huf out there,” Shanahan said. “His big-play ability, communication, and sideline-to-sideline play are huge. We’re excited to have him back.” Hufanga will likely start alongside Ji’Ayir Brown, while George Odum, who started the first two games, saw his snaps reduced in favor of rookie Malik Mustapha in the last game.
- Deebo Samuel was the only 49er who didn’t practice fully on Wednesday, remaining limited due to a calf injury.
- Despite a muffed punt attempt in Minnesota last week, Shanahan confirmed that Cowing would remain the team’s punt returner. “He’s one of the most natural catchers we’ve had in our eight years here,” Shanahan said, adding, “Everyone muffs one here and there. You just hope that was the last.”
- Shanahan explained that the blocked punt by the Minnesota Vikings in the first quarter was the result of a slow reaction on the right side of the line. Vikings fullback C.J. Ham managed to split defenders Robert Beal Jr. and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles to get the block.
BIG punt block for the @Vikings!
: #SFvsMIN on CBS/Paramount+
: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/EyUolJwU9W— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2024
“We were late off the ball on the right side, which made one guy a little bit behind and then the guy outside of him was a little bit too wide,” Shanahan said. “He could have been a little tighter to save (Beal). We had a snap count that tried to surprise them and it (instead) surprised one of our guys who was just — he missed half a second on the road and stuff.”
• Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III beat out Fred Warner for NFC Defensive Player of the Week. Bates had 12 tackles, two passes defensed, a game-sealing interception and a tackle for loss in a come-from-behind win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Warner had two forced fumbles, an interception, a sack and led his team in tackles in Sunday’s loss.
• Former 49ers Joe Staley, Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker were among the 167 modern-era players nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s upcoming class on Wednesday.
The trio of players played their final games in 2019, making them eligible for the 2025 class. Staley spent his 13-year career in San Francisco. Davis spent nine full seasons with the 49ers before moving on to Denver and Washington. He ranks 11th all-time in receiving yards by a tight end with 7,562. Walker played seven seasons in San Francisco and another seven in Tennessee.
(Top photos of Kyle Juszczyk and Isaac Guerendo: Michael Zagaris / San Francisco 49ers / Getty Images)
