SANTA CLARA — So much went wrong the last time the 49ers were together — Sunday’s 27-24 collapse against the Rams in Los Angeles — that it was tough to focus on just one aspect Wednesday.
Across two training fields, drills opened with the urgency and crispness needed to halt a two-game skid this Sunday, when the 49ers (1-2) can not overlook the New England Patriots (1-2) at Levi’s Stadium.
As has been routine since spring, the absences of certain players could not be ignored, including running back Christian McCaffrey (who traveled to Germany for Achilles tendinitis treatment), wide receiver Deebo Samuel (a calf strain restricted him to watching practice), left tackle Trent Williams (illness), and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (season-ending triceps tear).
These are five areas that did stand out as Week 4 preparations got underway:
1. AIYUK’S SO-SO START
Brandon Aiyuk’s confidence isn’t wavering even if he hasn’t started on track for his third straight 1,000-yard season. He’s caught 11-of-20 targets for 119 yards with no touchdown and no reception longer than 22 yards. He wasn’t surprised to hear he posted the top rate of separation among wide receivers last weekend.
Still, he’s adjusting to “a little bit different” defensive tactics, compounded by the abscesses of McCaffrey, Samuel and Kittle, the latter two missing Sunday’s loss to the Rams. “They just know what we want to do, what we like to do, me and Purdy especially,” said Aiyuk, noting that practice will help them “try to get in different spots, different looks. … We all open stuff up for each other depending on where we’re at on certain plays.”
Jauan Jennings benefitted Sunday to the tune of 11 catches for 175 yards and three touchdowns, to which Aiyuk said: “That was crazy. That was pretty cool.” Jennings, like postgame Sunday, bypassed reporters Wednesday.
2. BELL THANKS PURDY
As Brock Purdy practices through whatever back issue prompted an MRI (with clean results), his presence has made a profound impact on Ronnie Bell, whose second of two drops Sunday spoiled what could have been a win-clinching drive.
“To be honest, that was probably the best thing for me in the last couple of days: Purdy coming and talking to me and really helping lift my spirits,” Bell said at his locker. “It helps a lot to have guys having your back like that, and he helped me a ton to get back up so I can move on, move past it and be ready to help the team win.”
Bell knows he sure didn’t help Sunday with his drop at the Rams’ 25-yard line with a minute remaining and the 49ers tied at 24. “Definitely just have to finish the play, man,” Bell said. “I felt the route was good, I got open, everything about it. You have to finish the play. It’s tough, man, it’s tough.”
At least in Wednesday’s warmups, Bell maintained his place behind only Jennings and Aiyuk in receiver drills, and Bell fielded punts alongside Jacob Cowing and Trent Taylor, as usual.
3. BANKS ON OAKLAND A’S FINALE
Left guard Aaron Banks’ chief concerns are protecting Brock Purdy and blocking for Jordan Mason. But as an Alameda native, Banks is among those dreading the A’s finale in Oakland on Thursday.
“I wish there could be a way to keep them there,” Banks said. “Oakland’s losing their teams, so it’s sad being from the East Bay specifically and seeing them all disperse.”
Banks could only tolerate the slow play of baseball for two weeks as a kid, and he’s only attended a couple of A’s games in his life. “I never really was a huge baseball fan,” Banks added. “I played basketball. I played baseball for two weeks and quit. I got hit by a fly-ball machine the second week there and said this is not for me.”
4. DEFENSIVE LINE ADJUSTMENTS
To cover for the loss of Hargrave to a season-ending triceps tear, the 49ers figure to start Jordan Elliott and rotate in Kevin Givens. They also should bring up T.Y. McGill from the practice squad, where they also brought back Shakel Brown as an option Wednesday. Another ballyhooed option is to shift Yetur Gross-Matos inside on passing downs from his otherwise normal role as the No. 3 defensive end.
The 49ers successfully deployed Charles Omenihu and Arden Key in that dual role in past seasons, and Gross-Matos was signed in free agency with the prospect of doing the same, if needed. “I’ve watched a lot of those guys and am looking to do something similar,” Gross-Matos said. “They just had the versatility to win inside and out. They were bigger framed, lengthy guys just like myself.”
Not only Gross-Matos is still recovering from a right knee sprain in the Aug. 23 preseason finale, he’s also getting through a left-hand issue from last game. But he knows that playing on a defensive line with Nick Bosa could help all linemen. “You have to look out for that guy and make sure you send help, so that creates opportunities for everybody else and you have to capitalize,” Gross-Matos said.
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5. SPECIAL TEAMS SCRUTINY
Rather than play catch on the side like usual, Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch seemed to pay more attention to special teams drills at the start of practice. Like usual, special teams coordinator Brian Schneider orchestrated drills while speakers blared his favorite classic rock (Ozzy Osbourne, Motorhead, Credence Clearwater Revival, Nirvana).
“I’ve got a lot of confidence in Brian. He’s sick about some of these plays that have happened here these last couple weeks,” Shanahan said. “We’re just trying to be on every detail, like we try to every week. But yeah, we can’t have these two mistakes.”
Those being: 1.) a blocked punt in Minnesota that Shanahan blamed on improperly coached technique, and, 2.) Sunday’s blocked punt that sparked the Rams’ opening touchdown drive.
Schneider quickly worked through Wednesday’s opening period, aligning players correctly while rotating bodies in and out of spots at rapid succession, all according to a strictly emphasized plan.
So, yes, Schneider is still employed, as is Bell, and, at the princely sum of $30 million annually, so is Aiyuk.
