Depleted 49ers secondary will lead to big day for Goff, Rams WR’s...

Depleted 49ers secondary should lead to big day for Jared Goff, Rams WRs

Cameron DaSilva

[theramswire.usatoday.com]

When the Los Angeles Rams offense takes the field on Sunday, it’ll be looking at a 49ers secondary decimated by injuries. Jimmie Ward is doubtful to play with a hamstring injury, Richard Sherman is expected to be out there but has a calf injury and Ahkello Witherspoon is in line to start after wearing a non-contact jersey all week in practice. He suffered a concussion on Monday night against the Packers.

Heck, even cornerback K’Waun Williams is questionable with a shoulder injury, so not a single starting cornerback will be at full strength.


Needless to say, the 49ers won’t be at their best when it comes to stopping the pass on Sunday. As it is, they allow 279 yards per game through the air, which is the eighth most in the NFL this season. Their one interception in six games is tied for the fewest in football, so it’s not as if they’re coming away with turnovers, either.

All of this should lead to a big game by Jared Goff and his core of receivers – even without Cooper Kupp on the field. Brandin Cooks is too fast for Richard Sherman, Robert Woods is versatile enough to line up anywhere and Todd Gurley will essentially be the No. 3 receiver on Sunday.


Picking on Sherman, even as he deals with a calf injury, wouldn’t be the best approach as he’s allowing a league-low 39.6 passer rating in coverage, but there will be favorable matchups all over the field.

Witherspoon is a long cornerback, but he doesn’t have the speed or short-area quickness to stick with Cooks. If Woods slides into the slot, he’ll likely draw Williams, who’s been solid for the 49ers this season. But again, he’s battling a shoulder injury, so even if he’s active, he wasn’t a full participant in practice once this week.

Look for Goff to test these cornerbacks with shots downfield early. Those deep passes will set up underneath routes later on as the corners adjust for Cooks’ and Woods’ speed. Sean McVay is going to draw up a perfect game plan in this one to get Goff going after two weeks of underwhelming stats.