SANTA CLARA — Alfred Collins turns 24 on Wednesday, however he felt as if he’s already had his celebration.
The 49ers’ defensive sort out got here by way of with a game-saving play in Thursday evening’s 26-23 extra time highway win over the Los Angeles Rams. Los Angeles had first-and-goal on the 3-yard line with 1:07 left in regulation, quarterback Matthew Stafford gave the ball to Kyren Williams, and the Rams have been poised to start celebrating an obvious 27-23 win.
Collins, a second-round draft pick of Texas, made an ideal swipe on the ball, and lo and behold, there it was proper in entrance of him on the bottom.
“I don’t know if I even saw it,” Collins stated Monday. “I thought they scored, and then the ball’s right there. It was awesome to make that play for my team. I mean, just seeing everybody’ faces mad eme happy. It took all of us and that’s big.”
How did it really feel?
“It felt like my birthday,” Collins stated.
The Rams wound up tying the sport 23-23 on a 48-yard discipline purpose by Joshua Karty, organising extra time. Collins and his line of defense mates weren’t finished. After Eddy Piñeiro kicked a 41-yard discipline purpose on the 49ers’ first possession, the Rams drove all the best way to the 49ers’ 11 and have been confronted with fourth-and-1.
Williams was stuffed for no acquire. Sport over. Linebacker Fred Warner stated afterward the Rams basically telegraphed that they meant to play “big boy” soccer. Collins stated the 49ers weren’t shocked.
“I mean, just the way their body position was you knew it was going to be a run,” Collins stated. “It’s just football IQ and watching film.”
In restoration mode
The 49ers went by way of a quick walkthrough fashion observe designed to do not more than get their muscle mass some work after three days off. The 49ers wanted them too after what coach Kyle Shanahan known as one of many “most exhausting” common season video games he’s been part of in 9 years as a head coach.
The one notable transfer was beginning the window on security Malik Mustapha, who has been on the Bodily Unable to Carry out checklist after low season ACL surgical procedure. The 49ers have 21 days to both activate Mustapha or place him on injured reserve for the season.
In principle, Mustapha may very well be activated for Sunday’s highway showdown with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a battle of 4-1 groups. the 49ers aren’t prone to rush him nevertheless. Rookie Marques Sigle and veteran Jason Pinnock have taken each snap on the security spots by way of 5 video games.
Mustapha, a fourth-round draft pick of Wake Forest, performed in 16 video games as a rookie with 12 begins with 72 tackles and 5 passes defensed. Mustapha was not obtainable for remark publish observe.
Through the temporary media window for a “bonus” observe, quarterback Brock Purdy wasn’t current, whereas tight finish George Kittle (hamstring), Collins (knee), large receiver Jordan Watkins (calf) and cornerback Upton Stout (ankle).
Collins stated his knee felt advantageous.
Mac Jones was on the sector with No. 3 quarterback Adrian Martinez and was in uniform however was carrying a left knee brace and wasn’t doing a lot whereas the media was current. Huge receiver Jauan Jennings was in uniform however it isn’t recognized if he really practiced. Ricky Pearsall Jr. (knee) wasn’t current, and neither was Christian McCaffrey. McCaffrey, the NFL chief with 130 touches, has been getting common veteran days off.
Shanahan was unavailable for remark and the 49ers aren’t required to replace accidents till Wednesday.
Puni will get his relaxation
Proper guard Dominick Puni performed all the 86 snaps and by the point he obtained on the crew bus in Los Angeles he was spent.
“That was the highest snap count I ever played in the NFL,” Puni stated. “To do it on a Thursday with minimum rest shows the grittiness of our team. We keep fightiing and we haven’t given up yet. I think that’s why we keep winning these games.”
The brief flight residence from Los Angeles was a welcome one.
“I was dead. Getting on the bus after the shower I think I cramped up four or five times,” Puni stated. “That’s the most exhausted I’ve been after a game for sure.”
Piñeiro’s profession lengthy
Place kicker Eddy Piñeiro had by no means kicked a 59-yard discipline purpose in an NFL sport, however felt fairly good after warmups.
“Pregame I remember hitting 58 both ways,” Piñeiro stated. “There’s no wind in there.”
Shanahan stated afterward he would possibly think about a good longer try sooner or later after Piñeiro related on the longest of his 4 discipline objectives.
It’s been a whirlwind for Piñeiro, who changed Jake Moody after the opener and his 11-for-11 on discipline purpose makes an attempt. He rapidly bonded with holder Thomas Morstead and long-snapper Jon Weeks and has been properly obtained by teammates.
A veteran place kicker, Piñeiro is amazed by the distances kickers are routinely reaching with 60-yard makes an attempt as widespread as 100-mile-per-hour fastballs.
“These guys are hitting some big balls and you’ve got to catch up,” Piñeiro stated. Once I first obtained within the league eight years in the past, in the event you hit a 55-yarder you have been the person. Now in the event you don’t hit it, you have been alleged to make it.”
Piñeiro was late getting again to the locker room after the 49ers win, however for good cause.
“I used to be making an attempt to return inside however they wouldn’t let me as a result of they have been making me do some Spanish interviews, Piñeiro stated.
Psycho CMC fined
Shanahan often refers to McCaffrey as a psycho (it’s meant as a praise), however the 49ers working again shall be paying out of pocket for utilizing his helmet as a weapon whereas making a sort out in opposition to Jacksonville linebacker Devin Lloyd after a third-quarter interception by Purdy.
McCaffrey leaked out of the backfield and Purdy overthrew him within the third quarter, with the ball going to Lloyd. Purdy then lowered his head and drove it into Pratt. Pratt bounced off the sort out try and was introduced down by Jake Tonges. Neither participant was harm, however the NFL docked McCaffrey $23,186.
