Ferrell is one of the few 49ers starters not a Pro Bowler or Pro Bowl this season, with just 3.5 sacks.
The 49ers can’t be completely healthy when the playoffs begin for them in a week and a half.
Clelin Ferrell has a knee injury and will miss at least one game, possibly a few, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. He said it’s possible Ferrell will return for the playoffs, which means it’s not certain he will.
Ferrell hurt a knee early in 49ers’ scoreless season finale against the Rams. Head coach Kyle Shanahan played the starters in the first quarter to keep them from getting rusty in the playoffs — a smart decision, but one that comes with risk because football is violent. It was likely that one starter would get hurt, and that starter was Ferrell.
Ferrell is one of the few 49ers starters not a Pro Bowler or Pro Bowl this season, with just 3.5 sacks. But he was very reliable and consistent through 17 regular season games.
Ferrell is one 49ersand#039; the best running backs. He’s probably their best edge rusher — better than Nick Bosa and Chase Young, who both think the rush comes in front of the defense. So, Ferreland’s absence could hurt the 49ers if they play a team that runs the ball well, like the Rams or Lions.
There is a distinct possibility that the 49ers will play the Rams after a first-round pick up to a week, and the Rams have the NFL’s second-leading rusher Kyren Williams. Arik Armstead’s return from plantar fasciitis would certainly help the 49ers interior defense, but Williams also attacks around the edges, where Ferrell would be.
It will be interesting to see what absence 49ers’ least heralded defensive end affects the defense..
