San Francisco 49ers Week 7 Injury Report: Few Injuries This Week, But They're Big Ones
By Sam McPherson
The San Francisco 49ers have the worst offense in the National Football League through six weeks this season, in terms of average yards gained per game (292.8). That's almost 10 yards worse than the next team on the list, and now the 49ers may be without two of their best offensive weapons for Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Deep Threat Torrey Smith Questionable
Running back Carlos Hyde (shoulder) has been ruled out of the contest already, leaving the RB corps very thin in experience and talent. However, wide receiver Torrey Smith—the one deep threat for the team over the past season-plus—has been ruled as officially questionable for Sunday's game due to a back problem that limited him in workouts this week.
With 429 yards rushing, Hyde is by far the best rusher on the team, and his replacements—Mike Davis and Shaun Draughn—have a combined 73 yards rushing this season. Needless to say, the team is going to have a hard time moving the ball without Hyde in the backfield.
Smith only has 182 yards receiving this year, but he is tied for the team lead in touchdown receptions (two), and in his 22 games in a 49ers uniform since the start of the 2015 season, Smith has averaged 18.8 yards per reception. No one else on the team this year comes close to that number.
For example, Jeremy Kerley is the leading receiver for San Francisco this year with 28 catches for 316 yards, but he averages just 11.3 per catch. He is the possession receiver, while Smith is the deep threat. Without Smith in the game, defenses will be able to stack the line, limit Kerley easily and force quarterback Colin Kaepernick to either run or make throws he doesn't want to make (or in Kaep's case, throws he cannot make).
Smith missed Wednesday's practice entirely with the back injury, and he could only do limited work on Thursday and Friday. Of course, the 49ers will be prepared to play without Smith, but it will make the task of beating the Bucs that much harder, even at Levi's Stadium in front of the home crowd.
The Tampa Bay defense has given up 262.4 yards per game this year through the air, but Kaepernick has thrown for that many yards only twice since mid-October 2014. If Smith can't go, the S.F. coaching staff may have to scale down the passing game schemes on Sunday and emphasize more of Kaepernick's running skills.
D Line May Be Missing Key Players On Game Day
On the defensive side, the 49ers only have two question marks for Sunday: Defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey (knee) and cornerback Rashard Robinson (concussion) are both listed as questionable after being limited in Friday's workouts. Dorsey is more likely to see the field than Robinson, as the latter is still in the league's concussion protocol. He should be a game-time decision on Sunday, pending his progress through the NFL's protocol for brain injuries.
In four games this year, Dorsey has just one tackle, although it happens to be a sack. The 49ers defense is used to playing without him, though. As for Robinson, he has started three games and made 12 solo tackles while registering four defended passes this year—the second-best mark on the team. If he can't go, he truly will be missed in the San Francisco secondary.
Questionable:
Glenn Dorsey, DT (Knee)
Rashard Robinson, CB (Concussion)
Torrey Smith, WR (Back)
Out:
Carlos Hyde, RB (shoulder)