SANTA CLARA — The 49ers took the practice field Wednesday to begin preparations for the Los Angeles Rams with a different look.
They looked as serious as a team could be coming off a disappointing 23-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, but there was no Deebo Samuel and no Christian McCaffrey.
It’s been 50 games, including the postseason, since coach Kyle Shanahan devised a game plan that didn’t have one or the other. Or ideally, both.
“Obviously, those are two big key playmakers,” linebacker Fred Warner said. “I think as a team we’re going to miss them because of the electricity and the fire both those players bring, but we’ve got to go out, we’ve got to execute and we’ve got to find a way to win.”
It’s not like the 49ers are helpless without them. Jordan Mason, the 49ers’ lead back until McCaffrey returns on Oct. 10 or later, is second in the NFL in rushing behind J.K. Dobbins of the Los Angeles Chargers with 247 yards. Quarterback Brock Purdy leads the NFL with 550 yards passing.
McCaffrey didn’t play in the first two games and will remain on injured reserve with Achilles tendinitis until he’s sufficiently healed. Shanahan estimated Samuel’s absence initially with a calf strain at two weeks.
The losses will be felt when Shanahan is designing a game plan. The versatility of both men — McCaffrey lined up in the backfield, in the slot and split wide and Samuel has taken his share of snaps as a running back — presented a pick your poison dilemma to opposing defenses.
Shanahan says his catalogue of plays remains the same, even if the players assuming those roles will affect which ones are called and how they are executed.
“Yeah, I’d say, we still have the same amount of plays. Just somewhat different styles of plays, different people in different spots,” Shanahan said. “You eliminate some special things that you would only do for those guys, but the number doesn’t change. Just, there’s things those guys do very well. Nothing other guys can’t do. But there’s kind of different percentages on how much you call them and things like that.”
The last time Shanahan called a game without Samuel and McCaffrey was Dec. 5, 2021 in a 23-20 road loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Samuel was injured and McCaffrey was still with the Carolina Panthers. The 49ers have played 50 games since then, including playoffs.
Following a loss in which the 49ers played uncomplimentary football with breakdowns in all three phases against the Vikings, the loss of two important players signals to defensive end Nick Bosa the need to tighten things up.
“I think we have to do a much better job of playing complementary football – offense, defense and special teams,” Bosa said. “We’re without Deebo and Christian but we have plenty of good players.”
In Week 6 last season against Cleveland, McCaffrey played 36 of 62 snaps with an oblique and Samuel played just nine snaps before sustaining a hairline shoulder fracture. The 49ers lost 19-17.
Without Samuel and McCaffrey, the 49ers will need additional production from wideout Brandon Aiyuk, who is rounding into shape after missing practice amid a contract dispute, and Jauan Jennings, who should slide comfortably into the second receiver role.
Chris Conley is likely the No. 3 receiver, and the 49ers could choose to increase the use of two tight-end sets, with George Kittle joined by Eric Saubert. Running back Isaac Guerendo, who got one carry against Minnesota, should get more action than that behind Mason.
The 49ers knew McCaffrey would be out a minimum of five games total. They learned about Samuel’s injury on Monday.
“That’s definitely going to hurt, just how dynamic he is and how we’ve been able to use him with Christian and all he offers in the passing game,” fullback Kyle Juszczyk told KNBR. “It’s definitely not ideal, but we have a full week to prepare and to get guys ready who need to step up and we plan on doing exactly that.”
The Rams are 0-2, losing in overtime to Detroit in Week 1 and then taking it on the chin 41-17 to Arizona in Week 2. They are even more injured than the 49ers, with wideouts Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua not expected to play as well as a handful of other players.
The 49ers’ loss against Minnesota, Bosa believes, will bring the Rams game more sharply into view.
“I think there’s always urgency here,” Bosa said. “I think that’s why we’re always a good team because the standard is high and when you’re not living up to it, it’s not panic, but there’s definitely an intense focus on getting back to it.”
Safety Talanoa Hufanga tackles the Rams’ Kyren Williams last Sept. 17 for the 49ers at Levi’s Stadium.
Hufanga on track to play
Safety Talanoa Hufanga, an All-Pro and Pro Bowl safety in 2022, wasn’t listed on the injury report and Shanahan said he was a full-go at practice.
Hufanga, who was lost to a torn ACL in Week 11 last season, is expected to see playing time against the Rams. The 49ers were victimized at safety against Minnesota on a 97-yard touchdown pass from Sam Darnold to Justin Jefferson, with Jefferson getting past both Ji’Ayir Brown and George Odum. The 49ers also played rookie fourth-round draft pick Malik Mustapha 31 snaps against the Vikings.
“(The injury) got Tig (Brown) a lot of reps last year and got him a lot better,” Shanahan said. “But obviously you always miss Huf out there. The big-play capability, how well he communicates, flying sideline to sideline. We’re going to be pumped. He should get back this week if everything goes right. We’ve missed him.”
Warner is looking forward to having Hufanga back on the field.
“We missed him a lot. Even though he is a young player, his leadership ability in that (defensive backs) room is big time,” Warner said. “The voice he has in the back end, calling out checks and alerting guys, alerting even myself, it’s huge for me and takes a lot of my plate. I’m happy to have him back out there.”
Aaron Donald’s absence
The retirement of surefire first-ballot Hall of Fame defensive tackle Aaron Donald has made it a much different week for Shanahan, who along with his coaching staff has stayed up nights for the past seven years trying to figure out how to slow him down.
The Rams defensive coordinator is Chris Shula, who is running the same fronts and coverages as the departed Raheem Morris, who became Atlanta’s head coach. But it’s a new look without Donald.
“It’s definitely a little different,” Shanahan said. “That’s been 99 percent of our brain power for a number of years and it’s just weird not thinking that way.”
Backing Cowing
Rookie receiver Jacob Cowing had a muffed punt against Minnesota that was recovered by teammate Isaac Yiadom, but it doesn’t sound as if Shanahan has any intention of pulling the plug on the fourth-round pick out of UTEP.
“That’s one muffed punt. Just when it comes to catching stuff, he’s been as natural of a catcher as we’ve had in our eight years here, just in practice, how he’s been in the games,” Shanahan said. “I know that one got away from him. We can’t have those. But everyone muffs one here and there. You just hope that was the end of it.”
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Hall of Fame nominees
Among the 167 modern-era nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame are these first-year eligible former 49ers: left tackle Joe Staley, safety Antoine Bethea, and tight ends Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker. Also nominated are quarterback Jeff Garcia; running back Ricky Watters; wide receiver Anquan Boldin; defensive linemen Justin Smith and Ted Washington; linebackers Ken Norton Jr., Julian Peterson, Bill Romanowski, Takeo Spikes, and Lee Woodall; and, kickers David Akers and Gary Anderson.
The list will be cut from 167 names to 50 next month.