Despite losing quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo for the season back in Week 3, the San Francisco 49ers have fought hard all season long. Their 4-11 record doesn't do justice to the work head coach Kyle Shanahan has done with a shorthanded roster, the continued production of running back Matt Breida, and the emergence of rookie wide receiver Dante Pettis.
The 49ers would love nothing more than to knock the rival Los Angeles Rams out of the No. 2 seed in the NFC by beating them this coming Sunday, but they'll have to do so without two of their most productive offensive playmakers in Breida and Pettis. From ESPN's Adam Schefter:
49ers' RB Matt Breida's season is over after aggravating his sprained ankle, and WR Dante Pettis also is done for the year with an MCL sprain.
Breida was only on the field for nine snaps against the Chicago Bears this past Sunday before suffering his injury, while Pettis managed 17 with the MCL sprain. The 2018 second-round pick finishes his rookie campaign with 27 catches, 467 receiving yards, and five touchdowns through the air, and Breida's second season is complete with 180 touches for 1,075 total yards and five scores.
Shanahan spoke highly of Breida's effort this year as he constantly battled injuries. From Pro Football Talk's Charean Williams:
“I think Matt’s had a very impressive season,” Shanahan said at his press conference. “He started out great filling in, losing [RB Jerick] McKinnon at the beginning of the year. I think Matt stepped in right away and played like a number one back… He got hurt early on. He’s battled every week to get in there and play for us. He’s ended up hurting it every week also, so it’s lingered all year. Just a credit to him to still be effective when he’s been out there and been able to help us throughout this year has been unbelievable.”
A loss on Sunday would clinch at least a top four pick for San Francisco in the upcoming NFL draft.
Follow Us
Subscribe