SANTA CLARA — A 5-0 start has the 49ers Faithful thinking big in this week’s mailbag fed by social media. They want 50 points. They want a big trade for a Pro Bowl wide receiver or pass rusher. They want it all. For now, they’ll get these answers:
What’s your final prediction record for this 49ers team? (@deathb4dish0nor1414)
My preseason prediction: 13-4 and first place. You’re wondering if that changes to 17-0. The record doesn’t matter. The final outcome of their final game does, at SoFi Stadium on Valentine’s Day against the Buffalo Bills or Kansas City Chiefs. Give me a week or month or three on that.
Is Bosa back against Washington? (@markhitesman)
That was Nick Bosa’s hope when he spoke last Friday, though he sounded more sure his left calf would “definitely” be ready for the next game, at Atlanta on Oct. 25. Bringing him back from a three-week hiatus for a Monday nighter, then making him play on short rest on Atlanta’s artificial surface? Not sure what they’ll do.
I know Kyle (Shanahan) said no changes from Jacob Cowing as punt returner. Do you see them making a change especially that they are thin on wide receivers and can elevate Xavier Smith from the PS? (@SFG_soccer)
It must be a consideration, all due respect to Cowing’s potential (see: 83-yard touchdown in preseason at Chargers). Smith was signed last week as an option with Brandon Codrington on the practice squad. They all will compete this week in practice. Deebo Samuel (hamstring) is out of the mix.
How is De’Zhaun Stribling doing in his rehab? (@mikeflores5127)
A month since his left ankle surgery, Stribling was seen last week in the locker room on crutches and wearing an orthopedic boot. Just seeing him was a good sign for a potential December comeback. He hasn’t had a media session since the injury other than exchanging pleasantries.
When is Christian Kirk going to play? (@rusbeng)
His three-week evaluation window is not opening this week, Shanahan said Monday, so it makes little sense to rev him up next week ahead of the bye. He may be a veteran but he needs practice, and he didn’t get any in camp with a Day 1 exit. Perhaps he gets high-altitude training with the 49ers in Colorado before their Nov. 22 Mexico City game against NFC surprise Minnesota, or perhaps the Nov. 29 rematch with Seattle is a safer target.
Do you think Tee Higgins could be had for a second-round pick? (@statusat916)
A second-rounder and more. Much more. The frugal Bengals may not want to pay his $19 million and $27 million salaries the next two years, but they can’t rob Joe Burrow of his leading receiver, statistically. Higgins’ 423 yards are more than Ja’Marr Chase (239), and both have 27 receptions.
If rumors are true that Jauan Jennings is coming back, what will happen to the excess wide receivers once they’re back from injury? (@_joe@co_)
An undefeated team (Vikings) trading an asset (Jennings) to another undefeated team (49ers) to make it stronger within the conference and ahead of a meeting next month in Mexico (Nov. 22)? Nope, doesn’t make sense.
Was Mike Evans’ name-check on Diggs the greatest sports trash talk moment of all time? Also, replication of name check moving forward will be referred to as “Evans’d” (@theBQ11)
Lemme first check your handle to see who you are before I answer. OK, no, Evans’ 49ers career will be immortalized beyond that jersey check … and a hook-and-lateral, touchdowns, third-down catches, alley-oop grabs in the clutch, sacrificed ribs, etc.
With few players coming off the IR and hopefully a trade or two in the near future, who do you think is on the bubble to get cut? Some players like HULK earned their spots. Anyone who might get traded? Bethune might be one. (@SFG_soccer)
Tatum Bethune should be on the move … into a uniform. He’s been a healthy scratch but the 49ers are down Dre Greenlaw (suspended this week) and Garrett Wallow (hamstring). Be on the lookout for Jalen Graham coming up from the practice squad, too.
Unpopular take: At what point is Dre a liability to this team? I think we’re past that, but I know coaches love him and will continue to put up with his antics. (@telebears)
Greenlaw is beloved. He brings a bully spirit. So does Samuel. The 49ers have relished their returns from a year abroad, and those personas will be missed Monday night.
The price for Maxx Crosby must be going down each week. Will they pay it or settle for Khalil Mack? (@KatzManDoIt)
Prices dropping? Ha. Inflation remains high ahead of the Nov. 10 trade deadline, especially for elite pass rushers. Perhaps I’m still brainwashed by the Bay Area rivalry, but it’s inconceivable the Raiders would gift Crosby to the 49ers.
Hey Cam, the narrative around Brock finally seems to be changing, for the good. But it got me thinking: Did Kurt Warner cop as much flak in his first seasons? (@johnskinner_1)
Warner won the Super Bowl his first season as the Rams’ sudden starter in place of Trent Green, and Warner led the NFL in completion percentage each of his first three years. There wasn’t time for flak to build, only time to write a storybook script that became a movie, “American Underdog.”
Will the 49ers put up 50 offensive points? (@alcantarvm)
Their average of 30.8 points per game, two points (or a Gracen Halton safety) shy of the NFL-leading mark of the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions. The Commanders allow 29.8 points per game, the third-most generous defense in the NFL.
Shanahan’s only 50-point game as the 49ers’ all-time longest coach was an October 2019 home win. It came against Carolina, and it came without fullback Kyle Juszczyk, who could be out this week with a hyperextended knee.