MMQB: 49ers play down to Lions, lose CB Jason Verrett to torn ACL
The San Francisco 49ers were firing on all cylinders in the first half. So much that it was the highest-scoring first half the 49ers ever had under head coach Kyle Shanahan--scoring 31 points on the Detroit Lions.
Rookie Impact
On the team’s second drive, rookie QB Trey Lance delivered a 5-yard TD to WR Trent Sherfield. The following drive, rookie RB Elijah Mitchell blazed past defenders for a 38-yard TD run. That gave the 49ers a 14-7 lead.
Third-round pick (No. 88) RB Trey Sermon was a healthy scratch. The reason is unknown but he was seen on the sideline and appeared to be ok. It looks like it was simply a coach’s decision while second-round pick OG Aaron Banks (No. 48) was also a healthy scratch.
How many NFL teams placed two of the team’s top 3 picks as healthy scratches? That’s something I’m going to find out. That’s not a good look. You don’t draft 2nd and 3rd-rounders to ride the pine.
But Mitchell may have been the better play. After all, he did rack up 19 carries for 104 rushing yards (5.5 avg.) and 1 TD.
17 unanswered points
After Lions K Austin Seibert made a 49-yard field goal to narrow the lead 14-10, the Niners scored 17 unanswered points:
RB JaMycal Hasty 3-yard TD run
OLB Dre Greenlaw 39-yard TD return (suffered groin injury)
K Robbie Gould 40-yard FG
The 49ers looked to be in complete control of this ball game, up 31-10 at halftime.
Then came CB Jason Verrett’s knee injury. What looks to be a torn ACL, Verrett’s season is likely done for the 2021 season. The list of injuries since entering the league as a 2014 1st-round pick (No. 25) is well documented:
2014: hamstring, torn labrum, rotator cuff
2016: torn ACL
2017: season-ending knee surgery
2018: torn Achilles
2019: high ankle sprain
During the offseason, Verrett was tired of answering questions regarding his injury history:
"I don't want to deal with any more injury questions," Verrett said. "That's in the past. I finished the season healthy, going into this season healthy, and looking to play lights-out football for this team and win some games."
Looks like that’s not going to happen as torn ACLs are no easy comeback. Especially if he tore the same 2016 ACL.
What is a torn ACL?
Being NASM trained, 70% of all ACL injuries are non-contact, while the majority of those ACL injuries occur between the ages of 15-25.
Although not reported, a huge problem for Hurd could be the lack of neuromuscular stabilization in his rehabilitation process. That falls solely on the team’s strength and conditioning staff, just my opinion.
Peeling back layers of the onion to get to the core
Furthermore, ACL injuries can develop arthritis/articular cartilage damage in the affected knee called “osteoarthritis.”
The ACL plays a key role in ligaments that help stabilize your knee joint. The ACL connects your thighbone (femur) to your shinbone (tibia). It's most commonly torn during sports that involve sudden stops and changes in direction.
Am I surprised that another 49ers player went down to a torn ACL? No.
As stated in my Jalen Hurd article, I work with some current physical therapists who also work with some of these big-time 49ers players, who echo my analysis, the daily practice stretching routine and some of their workouts need to be changed. The players don’t know what’s right or wrong, it’s up to the coaching staff to do what’s right by the player.
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan on losing Verrett:
It's crushing," coach Kyle Shanahan said. "We're hoping for the best, but it's crushing. The bad luck he's had and putting together these last two years staying healthy and how good of a camp he had... I have got a lot of love for JV and respect him as much as anyone I've ever been around. So, I'm really hurting for him."
The loss of Verrett is huge. The Niners were already thin on the depth chart. The other boundary starting CB Emmanuel Moseley (knee) is questionable next week, while rookies CB Deommodore Lenoir and CB Ambry Thomas are fresh meat. Does veteran CB Dontae Johson scare anyone? No.
But what about bringing back the “best cornerback in the game,” CB Richard Sherman?
Coach Shanahan said:
"We have discussed it. I've talked to Sherm about it, too. Sherm is always a possibility."
That’s how desperate the Niners are at cornerback. The team also signed household name CB Josh Norman to help ease the depth blow. They should have just drafted CB Asante Samuel Jr. as I said instead of trying to force a need pick who doesn’t fit your scheme in healthy scratch, OG Aaron Banks.
Lions score 16 unanswered points
The lack of Niners cornerback depth showed as the Lions came roaring back shortly after QB Jimmy Garoppolo and WR Deebo Samuel connected for a 79-yard TD. Garoppolo’s longest TD pass of his career.
The game seemed out of reach as the 49ers were up 38-17. But with Verrett out and Moseley inactive, Lions QB Jared Goff shredded the Niners secondary and put on a clinic. It was like watching 7-on-7.
By my count, Goff finished the game completing 17 of 25 for 155 yards and 1 TD. Furthermore, the 49ers cornerbacks were flagged for two defensive pass interference calls that resulted in additional 29-yards of hidden-yardage
CB Demmodore Lenoir: 13-yard PI
CB Dontae Johnson: 16-yard PI
This has to be addressed and more veteran help will be needed. No way can you roll this current CB depth and expect to win in the NFC West.
After scoring back-to-back touchdowns thanks to recovering TE George Kittle’s onside fumble, the Lions quickly found themselves in a one-possession game. It was a nightmare. Could this be happening on the opening week? It was surreal and it was unfolding right before our eyes.
Luckily, the 49ers stopped the bleeding after a costly WR Deebo Samuel fumble, barely, pulling out one last defensive stop, to secure the 41-33 win.
Shanahan and company will now turn their focus to the NFC East and the Philadelphia Eagles. For a team that is under a new identity, it will be interesting to see how the Niners respond as their secondary wears thin.
Inactives vs Lions
RB Trey Sermon (healthy scratch)
OG Aaron Banks (healthy scratch)
DT Javon Kinlaw (knee)
CB Emmanuel Moseley (knee)
CB Josh Norman (healthy scratch)
*Sermon was the biggest head-scratcher. Also, how many NFL teams have two of their top three 2021 NFL draft picks as healthy scratches in Week 1? I’m finding out. ;)
Injured Reserve (IR)
OT Shon Coleman (tricep strain)
DT Maurice Hurst (high ankle sprain)
CB Davontae Harris (hamstring)
WR Jalen Hurd (ACL)
CB Jason Verrett (ACL)
2021 49ers | BEAST receipts
0-0 ATS (-8 push)
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