Injuries to Key Players Are a Blessing in Disguise for the 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers have dealt with some notable injuries to starters late in the season. And while this hurts the roster overall, it also helps answer questions about other players and their future with the team in 2017 and beyond.
Let’s preface this by stating no injury to a San Francisco 49ers — or any NFL — player is a good thing. If anything, injuries remind us fans how tenuous a pro-football career can be.
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But in the case with the Niners, injuries might open up the door to some much-needed answers about the shape of the roster in 2016 and beyond.
In case you missed it, San Francisco is bad. Really bad. A 1-12 record in 2016 tells you almost everything you need to know. The roster stinks, the team lacks depth and it’s not a well-coached group.
So how would injuries to starters actually help things here?
Simply put, it provides answers to depth guys taking over starting roles.
San Francisco lost two notable players this week — tight end Vance McDonald (shoulder) and center Daniel Kilgore (leg). These, in addition to the already deep injury list the team has on the year.
With so many roster questions on the table after this season, these injuries may actually open up the discussion on what the team has.
Vance McDonald’s Absence Benefits Blake Bell, Je’Ron Hamm
McDonald was on pace to set a career-high in catches this season. And his 391-yard, four-touchdown effort before the injury this year are new highs already.
All this after signing a lengthy extension not long ago.
With McDonald now out, the No. 1 spot goes to fellow TE Garrett Celek. Celek is signed through 2019, so he’s not likely going anywhere.
But what about depth tight ends Blake Bell and Je’Ron Hamm?
Oct 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Blake Bell (84) warms up prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Bell is certainly the more enticing of the two. The former Oklahoma quarterback, turned-tight end, hasn’t contributed much of anything at the pro level since being selected by the 49ers in Round 4 of the 2015 NFL Draft.
Yet McDonald’s absence might actually open up more opportunities as the now-No. 2 tight end on the roster.
If Bell shows promise, great. He might be a piece worth looking at next season. If not, well, there’s your answer. He’d be expendable.
October 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers center Daniel Kilgore (67) during the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium. The Cowboys defeated the 49ers 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Marcus Martin Backing Up Daniel Kilgore
It’s a mystery to most 49ers fans how center Marcus Martin found his way on the 53-man roster to start the season.
Maybe he was the only option. Who knows? But after an abysmal 2015 campaign in relief of Kilgore, it’s pretty safe to say the Niners’ third-round pick of the 2014 NFL Draft is a bust.
Here’s a key point to remember though — Martin is only 23 years old despite being in his third pro season. And he was highly touted as one of the best collegiate centers coming out in the 2014 draft. Those accolades might not have translated over to the NFL. But maybe Martin is playing the long game here.
Nevertheless, the coaching staff will have a chance to see whether or not he’s benefited from being the No. 2 guy at the position, getting stronger and honing his skills at the pro level.
Martin is signed on his rookie contract through 2017, and it would be pennies to release him if San Francisco elected to do so next year.
Sep 1, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; 49ers center Marcus Martin (66) looks on from the sideline during the second half of the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. San Francisco won 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
So, in a way, Martin’s future is in his hands. Right now.
NFL Draft Implications
Ah, yes. The “tank-versus-try” argument. The Niners are in the thick of it, aren’t they?
Not long ago, we pointed out how tanking is seemingly an impossible thing to do. Fans may like the idea because it helps generate a better draft pick. But try telling that to players and coaches, whose jobs are on the line.
But there is a way to do it. Sort of.
Instead of “taking plays off,” running wrong routes or missing tackles, an effective “tank” method would be simply to switch over to the youth movement. We see it in baseball all the time — a last-place team hands over starts to young prospects and developing players.
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Other coaches and general managers get it, and no one thinks anything less of the team for trying something different.
And depth players love it too. Their chance has come.
Injuries merely expedite the process. So while the 49ers talent-lacking roster loses even more talent, at least those players climbing the depth chart will get more of an opportunity.
Even if it hinders San Francisco’s chances at a win.
