Renardo Green and Keion White are active for the 49ers
As expected, San Francisco 49ers left tackle Trent Williams is officially active for today’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles. It was a good sign for Williams when the Niners didn’t elevate an offensive lineman on Saturday from the practice squad.
Here’s a look at the inactive list:
WR Ricky Pearsall (knee)
LB Dee Winters (ankle)
LB Luke Gifford (quad)
RB Isaac Guerendo
NCB Chase Lucas
DT Kevin Givens
WR Jordan Watkins
The team elevated wide receiver Malik Turner. That alarms went off under the impression that another wideout on the roster meant Ricky Pearsall would be inactive. Pearsall didn’t practice all week and wasn’t on the field during warmups.
Linebackers Luke Gifford (quad) and Dee Winters (ankle) didn’t practice all week. pre-game, doing various sprints and workouts. According to the media on hand, neither looked like they were going to play. Gifford is a big part of the 49ers’ special teams success. Look for Turner to fill in for both Gifford and Tatum Bethune on the coverage units.
Expect Eric Kendricks and Garret Wallow to start. Depending on how the game goes or how he performs during practice, Kyzir White might get an opportunity. Either way, both will be on special teams.
Cornerback Renardo Green is active, as is pass rusher Keion White. The 49ers’ defense is better with both of them on the field. Green is tailor-made to defend isolation routes outside of the numbers, while White’s skill set sets up well against the Eagles’ offensive line.
Speaking of, the biggest news of the day is that Eagles left tackle Lane Johnson wasn’t seen during warmups, and his backup, Cameron Johnson, was wearing game pants. Fred Johnson, the Eagles’ version of Austen Pleasants, was warming up next to the starting right guard, Tyler Steen. All of these signs pointed to Johnson being inactive.
The Eagles had an EPA per play of +.07 with Johnson versus -.04 in snaps with their All-Pro right tackle. The passing (+.13) and rushing EPA splits (+.07) also highlight Johnson’s value to the Eagles. Philadelphia’s DVOA drops from 6.8 percent to -6.5 percent without Johnson on the field. Their rushing DVOA tanks six percentage points.
He is the Eagles’ best player in the same sense that Trent Williams is for the 49ers. What you can do as an offense revolves around the availability of your star tackle. Many expected the Eagles to flip the playoff switch and pick up where they left off from last postseason, but that’ll be difficult to do without Johnson.
Fred Johnson will get the start at right tackle. Per Sports Info Solutions, Lane Johnson had a blown block rate of 1.9. Fred Johnson’s was 4.3. Any missed blocks in the running game could keep the Eagles in longer down-and-distance situations.
Category: General Sports
