Seeing coverage specialist Nick Moody go down in the 49ers first preseason game got us thinking: Could the 49ers really be one injury away from a major concern?
While the severity of any potential injury can’t be known at this time, losing Moody would greatly affect San Francisco’s weakness on special teams. The 49ers drafted him with the distinct purpose of helping fix the team’s vulnerable unit.
But let’s move away from the 49ers’ sixth-round pick and special teams side of the ball, and examine the overarching ramifications of a significant injury.
What if they lost a marquee offensive lineman or linebacker? How would they deal missing another wide receiver or cornerback? And—heaven forbid—could losing a quarterback derail the entire season for the Red and Gold?
We omit specific names because of the sacrilegious implications of any such speculative entertainment. In simpler terms, it just doesn’t seem right.
Yet, for the purposes of this piece, let’s briefly examine each area of the 49ers and assess whether roster depth is sufficient enough to overcome an injury to a starter.
Quarterback (Colin Kaepernick): Let’s just get it over with. Scott Tolzien or Colt McCoy, with complete due respect intended, could only manage this team into position for a backdoor entrance into the playoffs. Kaepernick is all too vital.
Running Back (Frank Gore): This hypothetical loss is just a notch below on the devastation meter. Despite being the heart and soul of this team, Gore luckily has ample reinforcements operating behind him. A combination of Kendall Hunter, LaMichael James and Anthony Dixon would hold serve just enough in No. 21’s absence.
Wide Receiver (Anquan Boldin): An injured Boldin would easily rank top three. He is the only proven—and healthy—receiver available on the roster at this point. Depth exists at this position; it’s just too questionable for the time being. Boldin is Michael Crabtree's replacement and Kaepernick's go-to target.
Tight End (Vernon Davis): Davis’ dynamic abilities in the passing game are widely known. His contributions as blocker in the 49ers’ intricate blocking schemes, however, are just as essential. Vance McDonald (pass-catcher) and Garrett Celek (blocker) will provide in their respective capacities. But neither is the complete package.
Offensive Line (Joe Staley): The irreplaceable value of the NFL’s premier left tackle cannot be overstated. That said, the 49ers’ offensive line is so good that a “next man up mentality” (i.e. Anthony Davis to LT, Alex Boone to RT, Adam Snyder to RG) would conceivably work. Huge loss, but one that this team could overcome.
Defensive Line (Justin Smith): Outside of Kaepernick, this would amount to the most devastating setback. Anyone with memories going back eight months understands what Smith means to this team. And the heir apparent Tank Carradine is still recovering from knee surgery.
Linebacker (Patrick Willis): Most teams have one; the 49ers have two. Replace Willis with NaVorro Bowman if you must. But either one is so “1a,” “1b” as the NFL’s best inside linebackers that coaching up a replacement would be by no means out of the question. Hint: Michael Wilhoite.
Cornerback (Tarell Brown): Yes, Carlos Rogers is the No. 1 corner. Removing Brown, though, would keep Rogers away from the slot in nickel situations (an area that he’s better suited for) and force Nnamdi Asomugha out wide and Tramaine Brock inside. One way or another, Brown’s loss would create some serious issues within the CB depth chart.
Safety (Donte Whitner): Quarterbacks do exist on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Whitner helps orchestrate defensive play calls and keeps the secondary in proper position. He was a liability in coverage at times last season, but his safety counterparts are too inexperienced to take on the responsibility themselves.
Conclusion?
The 49ers are too stacked across the board for any one injury to prevent them from moving on to the postseason. An aforementioned loss at quarterback, defensive line and wide receiver would seriously hamper this team; just not to the point of season-wide failure in 2013.
Follow me on Twitter at @jlevitt16