Why Shanahan isn’t concerned by 49ers’ lack of YAC to start season

Why Shanahan isn’t concerned by 49ers’ lack of YAC to start season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The 49ers’ YAC Bros of George Kittle, Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk became supersized 23 months ago with the addition of star running back Christian McCaffrey. Through the first three weeks of the 2024 NFL season, however, San Francisco’s ability to gain receiving yards after contact has become invisible with their top playmakers’ lack of availability.

Coach Kyle Shanahan isn’t concerned with this being a team-wide issue or the way opposing defenses are attacking his offense, and views it more so as a byproduct of unfortunate injuries.

“I think George, Deebo and Christian are three of the best in the NFL at YAC, so it definitely doesn’t help with them being out with that,” Shanahan told reporters Friday at Levi’s Stadium.

Missing three of the NFL’s top playmakers clearly is part of the equation in the 49ers’ 1-2 record, as they look to avoid a third consecutive loss when they welcome the New England Patriots (1-2) to Santa Clara on Sunday.

McCaffrey, the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year, hasn’t played in any of the 49ers’ first three games because of Achilles tendinitis.

Samuel sustained a calf injury during the 49ers’ Week 2 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, a game in which he totaled 77 yards – 54 receiving yards on five catches and 23 rushing yards on eight carries – and scored one rushing touchdown. Kittle dealt with lower body cramps during San Francisco’s loss in Minnesota and later was diagnosed with a Grade 1 hamstring strain.

Both players were unavailable for last Sunday’s upset road loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Their absence, along with McCaffrey’s, has been impossible to miss.

The 49ers last season, on their way to Super Bowl LVIII, finished fourth in total YAC while leading the entire NFL in YAC per reception. Through three games this season, the 49ers rank 29th in total YAC and are dead last in YAC per reception….

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Author : NBC Sports BayArea

Publish date : 2024-09-28 00:11:51

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