After a quiet NFL trade deadline, the San Francisco 49ers are banking on the return of star power to turn the season around. While the only trade acquisition was Khalil Davis, a backup defensive lineman from the Houston Texans, San Francisco is poised for a Week 10 boost as key players, including star running back Christian McCaffrey, wide receiver Jauan Jennings, and kicker Jake Moody, are expected back from injury to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
On Tuesday, the team released replacement kicker Anders Carlson, who had been filling in for the injured Moody. Carlson, who stepped in over the past two games, will make way for Moody’s return, which should provide stability in the kicking game as the 49ers eye critical late-season victories. This return couldn’t be better timed for the 49ers, who are currently 4-4 and aiming to break .500 in the race for the playoffs.
The 49ers’ recent struggles have highlighted the importance of their injured stars. With the season-ending injury to wideout Brandon Aiyuk, McCaffrey’s anticipated return is even more crucial. General manager John Lynch emphasized the team’s belief in their roster’s existing talent and hinted that the real challenge lies in execution, especially in high-stakes moments.
“I do believe that our team, our locker room, our leadership believes we’ve got everything we need,” Lynch told Niners Wire. He also emphasized that while McCaffrey’s return is a plus, learning to close games will ultimately determine the team’s success. “Does Christian help you finish things? Sure. But whether Christian’s back or not, we’re going to have to learn from the things that we didn’t do, which is just execution.”
The 49ers’ midseason hiccup has included a few close calls, with Lynch noting the team’s 4-4 record doesn’t entirely reflect their potential. “We feel like we left a couple wins out there,” he said. “The fundamentals and when you’ve got people down, you’ve gotta step on their throat.”
For San Francisco, facing the 4-5 Buccaneers offers an opportunity to put Lynch’s words into action. With a renewed focus on the “fundamental things” and the return of crucial offensive and special teams contributors, the 49ers look to kickstart a playoff run in Week 10.
