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Options for the 49ers with recent injury woes
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Demetric Evans is out three weeks with a shoulder injury.
(AP Photo/George Nikitin)
The recent injury woes for the 49ers could not have come at a worse time. In losing four of the last five games, the 49ers are struggling to find any consistency on offense and their defense has been prone to give up the big plays.
What are the options for the 49ers now with these injuries?
CB Nate Clements (fracture right scapula- out 6-8 weeks): This is the same injury that WR Brandon Jones suffered in training camp and the same one that put RT Tony Pashos on the injured reserve list. The timetable for Clements suggests that he might be back in action around the same time as Jones did.
Singletary said that Jones was ready within five weeks after the injury and if Clements heals quickly, he might be back to play in December. The 49ers have no intention of putting Clements on injured reserve based on the fact that there is a chance Clements could return during the regular season or in the playoffs.
Tarell Brown was Clements' replacement in the starting lineup this Sunday and has done well for hte 49ers. Brown, in my opinion, should have been the starting cornerback opposite Clements to begin the season. But now with Clements out, we should see Brown and Shawntae Spencer in the starting lineup with Dre Bly as the lead backup.
LT Joe Staley (MCL and PCL sprain in right knee- out 6 weeks): This may have been the biggest injury to the 49ers. Staley has been one of the most consistent players on the offensive line this year. Both Staley and C Eric Heitmann were the only two offensive linemen that didn't have question marks during the season. But now with Staley missing his first start since the beginning of his rookie year in 2007, the 49ers will turn to Barry Sims.
The veteran Sims has had an up and down career, most notably with the Raiders. At some point, he looked fantastic while protecting Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon. However, speed pass rushers do give him some issues. On Sunday, he played well in Staley's replacement. The veteran experience of Sims will benefit this struggling offensive line.
We could see a lot of Sims and some of Adam Snyder in the left tackle position. Newly signed tackle Chris Patrick and Alex Boone of the practice squad may also get consideration to back up Sims.
DE Demetric Evans (AC left shoulder sprain- out 3 weeks): Evans has provided solid relief as a backup defensive end for the 49ers. His injury could give rookie Ricky Jean-Francois a chance to finally see some playing time.
Evans has been in every game this year but hasn't made a major contribution (he only has four tackles). But this is the opportunity for Jean-Francois to get into an NFL game. But since Jean-Francois' missed flight that caused him to make a team meeting, I don't know how much Singletary has him in the doghouse.
We might not even see a lot of the rookie since both Kentwan Balmer and Ray McDonald both have been playing pretty well as backups.
Follow me on Twitter for updates. Check me out here @SLam49ers
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