- The San Francisco 49ers have overcome significant injuries to key players this season.
- Despite numerous setbacks, the 49ers defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in an upset playoff victory.
- Coach Kyle Shanahan is credited with his best coaching performance due to the team’s success amid adversity.
- The 49ers are now preparing to face the Seattle Seahawks in the divisional round on a short week.
The San Francisco 49ers’ upset win over the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles was a microcosm of their season.
San Francisco’s emotional offensive leader, George Kittle, went down with a torn Achilles in the first half. Any injury, especially to star player, takes a toll on a team. Kittle is of that caliber.
The 49ers didn’t blink. The offense amassed 361 total yards against Philadelphia in what was the biggest upset victory of wild-card weekend. It was the most total yards the 49ers’ offense has recorded in a road playoff game since Jan. 5, 2014.
The phrase “next man up” is coach speak. The words are uttered in every NFL locker room.
But the 49ers have lived it. No team has been decimated by injuries quite like the 49ers.
NFC title contender 49ers have 13 players on injured reserve
Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk injured his knee last season and hasn’t played a down this year. Edge rusher Nick Bosa tore his ACL in Week 3. Linebacker Fred Warner dislocated his ankle in Week 6. Quarterback Brock Purdy was limited to nine regular-season games because of a turf toe injury.
That’s the 49ers’ No. 1 wide receiver, top edge rusher, arguably the best linebacker in the NFL and their starting quarterback for those keeping score.
Purdy is healthy as he engineers the 49ers offense, and the team opened Warner’s 21-day practice window with the hopes that he could possibly be available for the NFC championship game. Yet, as it currently stands, the 49ers have 13 players on injured reserve.
Despite the injury bug hovering over their team like the Golden Gate Bridge hangs over the Golden Gate Strait, the 49ers are remarkably in the divisional round.
Kyle Shanahan has masterfully steered 49ers to playoffs
Kyle Shanahan’s won two NFC titles and three NFC West championships. But considering the cards he was dealt with this year, this season is his best coaching campaign yet.
Coach of the Year voting concluded Jan. 5. New England Patriots’ Mike Vrabel is the Coach of the Year favorite, according BET MGM. However, if playoff success was factored into the decision-making process, Shanahan should be the odds-on favorite.
Shanahan’s 49ers were a Week 18 victory away from the top seed in the NFC and sent the reigning Super Bowl champs home the very next week.
The 49ers now must travel to Seattle on a short week to face the Seahawks on Jan. 17, the third matchup between the NFC West rivals this season. The well-rested Seahawks have a competitive advantage due to their wild-card bye and the 49ers’ short week. Are Shanahan’s 49ers using the situation as an excuse?
No.
“I kind of prepared for that mentally, so it is what it is. Ready to go,” Shanahan said this week. “You’re like that this time of year. We’ve kind of been in a hole for about seven months and once you get to the playoffs, it really doesn’t matter. Everyone’s into it. So, whether they gave us three days, one day, eight days, you always have your preferences for commonsense reasons, but whenever you get dealt your hand, you’re ready to roll.”
The 49ers roster has adopted Shanahan’s mentality. The 49ers are “ready to go” no matter the slew injuries or an abbreviated week. The 49ers are the walking wounded, but don’t count them out. They’ve battled through adversity all season, Shanahan’s put his players in position to succeed and they have a chance to pull off another major upset.
It’s Shanahan’s best coaching season to date.
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.