Jimmy G, Gore headline players to watch in 49ers-Jets
Yes, things could get worse.
All the 49ers have to do is look across the field on Sunday. The New York Jets already did not have a lot of talent or depth. Now, their top running back, Le’Veon Bell, and their best receiver, Jamison Crowder, are out with hamstring injuries.
The 49ers, meanwhile, are coming off a difficult opening-week loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Cornerback Richard Sherman is out with a calf strain, and tight end George Kittle did not practice this week due to a left knee sprain.
The 49ers open back-to-back games in East Rutherford, New Jersey, against the Jets in Week 2. Then, they face the New York Giants in Week 3.
These are two games the 49ers must win. And they may need four of these five players to step to the forefront on Sunday to get this trip off to a good start:
The 49ers saw some immediate return with the No. 14 overall draft pick in Week 1.
Kinlaw did not start, but he played nearly half of the 49ers’ defensive snaps. His stat sheet was modest, but the power in which he played was not.
Kinlaw did a lot of good things against the Arizona linemen in front of him. He held the point of attack in the run game and executed some strong, swift pass-rush moves, too.
There is no reason for the 49ers to keep him out of the starting lineup any longer. And, if Week 1 was any indication, he might be able to add some juice on third downs as a pass-rusher, too.
Aiyuk went through a full week of practice and is good to go for his NFL debut on Sunday.
The 49ers need him. Kendrick Bourne and Aiyuk were the team’s top wideouts during the opening weeks of training camp before Aiyuk was sidelined with a hamstring strain on Aug. 23.
The 49ers went with Bourne and Dante Pettis as the starters in Week 1. Pettis was held without a catch. Aiyuk is a clear upgrade.
In a short period of time, Aiyuk seemed to earn the confidence of the coaching staff and his teammates during training camp.
Aiyuk can be used in a number of different ways on offense. Along with the addition of Mohamed Sanu, the 49ers now have enough options at wide receiver to allow the offense to run smoothly. The 49ers still hope Deebo Samuel will be available for the Week 4 game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Aiyuk can take on that Samuel role, with the ability to line up anywhere in the formation to catch balls at all depths. He is also capable of taking the ball on jet sweeps, much like Samuel did with a lot of success last season.
Bosa is the 49ers' best defensive player. At this point, there does not seem to be much debate.
He was a disruptive force in Week 1, though he could not bring down Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray for a sack.
Bosa had five quarterback pressures (one hit and four hurries) and five stops in the run game, which tied for tops in the NFL in Week 1 among defensive linemen, according to Pro Football Focus.
On Sunday, Bosa will be going up against mammoth rookie left tackle Mehki Becton, whom the Jets chose with the No. 11 overall pick. Bosa also will have the benefit of setting his sights on a quarterback, Sam Darnold, who does not move nearly as well in or out of the pocket as his Week 1 opponent.
Our review of Garoppolo’s Week 1 performance: It was not as impressive as the numbers show (259 yards passing, two touchdowns, no interceptions, 103.0 passer rating); nor was it as bad as most of his critics opined.
Where did Garoppolo see the need for his biggest improvements?
“Just being decisive, getting the ball out on time,” he said.
That sounds spot-on. Garoppolo knows what he must correct and improve upon. The 49ers expect more from Garoppolo. Heck, Garoppolo expects more from Garoppolo.
Even as he gets acclimated to incorporating Aiyuk and, perhaps, Mohamed Sanu into the offense this week, Garoppolo could be facing the right team at the right time.
Gore played his first 10 professional seasons with the 49ers and ranks as the No. 3 all-time leading rusher in NFL history. He remains as one of the most-popular players who ever put on a 49ers uniform.
Gore went to the Jets this year to rejoin Adam Gase, who coached him with the 49ers in 2008 and with the Miami Dolphins in 2018. Gore was expected to be a backup. Now, he’s the starter in his 16th NFL season.
At 37, Gore is still having a lot of fun. His passion for the game of football is infectious.
The Jets’ offense is a bit of a struggle, and Gore will undoubtedly have a difficult time against the 49ers’ active front seven. But any time Gore steps on the field, all 49ers fans know he is worth watching.
