SANTA CLARA – Practicing behind a patchwork line is not how Brock Purdy dreamed of spending his 25th birthday Friday, never mind that he just gifted 49ers linemen a caravan of trucks and sports-utility vehicles on two-year leases.
The 49ers are poised to field their most inexperienced offensive line in at least coach Kyle Shanahan’s eight seasons.
Monday night’s chore for whoever blocks: protect Purdy and clear lanes for ball carriers Isaac Guerendo and Deebo Samuel against the NFC-leading Detroit Lions at Levi’s Stadium.
Injuries have so thoroughly depleted the Niners (6-9) that 3-of-5 spots could feature linemen making their 49ers’ starting debuts. The only healthy starters are center Jake Brendel and right guard Dominick Puni, who offensive line coach Chris Foerster plans on keeping that duo in their regular roles while “plugging in three guys around them.”
“More anything, it’s communicating them about the cadence and timing of plays, just helping them in that regard, and talking to them at lunch,” Purdy said. “It’s new, it’s different, it’s a tough situation, but this is the NFL so we have to adapt and be ready to go.”
When Foerster entered his press conference after Friday’s practice, he quipped to reporters: “If there’s five of you, we can have a tryout right now. … It’s a challenge for me but a great opportunity for guys entering the lienup to show what they can do.”
Left tackle Trent Williams and his backup, Jaylon More, both went this week on injured reserve, which is where left guard Aaron Banks (knee) is expected to land before Monday night’s 5:15 p.m. kickoff. Right tackle Colton McKivitz did not practice Thursday, after being limited by a knee issue, and versatile backup Spencer Burford remains sidelined with a calf injury from subbing at left tackle in Sunday’s loss at Miami. Offensive linemen Ben Bartch and Jon Feliciano also are on injured reserve.
Nick Zakelj is expected to make the first start of his career, most likely at left guard. “I know it’s just an amazing opportunity to have,” Zakelj said. “I can’t wait to go grasp it and go out there, fly off the ball and let it loose.”
Charlie Heck, poached Wednesday off the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad, made 21 career starts for the Houston Texans from 2020-23, and Thursday acquisition Matt Hennessy made 22 starts as the Atlanta Falcons’ 2020-22 center. No other linemen have starting experience, including Zakelj, Austen Pleasants, Sebastian Gutierrez, Isaac Alarcon and undrafted rookie center Drake Nugent.
“When it comes to the pass game, I can do my part getting the ball out, being on time and help them establish their feet within the game,” Purdy said.
“When you lose offensive linemen, it limits you to certain things you can and can’t do. But our game plan is fun,” tight end George Kittle said. “There are a lot of things we haven’t done for a while that we’ll be able to pull out.”
Noting he felt before the season the 49ers had nine starting-caliber linemen, Foerster said: “That was good depth to have. That depth now has been blown out of the water.”
PURDY’S ‘MNF’ MESSAGE
Purdy channeled his childhood in a motivational message to teammates on his birthday. Specifically, he brought up the aura of playing on “Monday Night Football,” which he’ll do for just the fourth time in his career and second this season (see: Week 1 win over the Jets). Purdy said his message was: “Man, our season’s been tough, just the way it’s gone. But we have two games left. We have a Monday night game in front of everybody to go out and live a childhood dream.’
” ‘We’re all in our 20s and 30s playing football for our jobs, so let’s go out there. We have such a great opportunity in front of us to enjoy this game, compete, and let’s enjoy it together. The little kid in me is always pumped for these kind of games. I’ll never take it for granted. More than anything, that’s when Levi’s gets rolling and rocking. I want to do my part in helping it get to that point.”
LYNCH’S STATE OF FRANCHISE
General manager John Lynch, speaking for the first time since Sunday’s official elimination from the playoffs, is in the investigation process of examining the 49ers’ 2024 woes and potential cures.
“I can’t believe we’re here, but we are. We have to accept that. We have to learn from that,” Lynch said on KNBR 680-AM. “We can’t just chalk it up to, ‘There were a lot of injuries.’ The team we’re playing, Detroit, they had a lot of injuries but they found a way. We have to look at the root, and we have been looking at the root causes. We’ll fix it.”
One obvious issue is the 49ers’ inability to close out games, something that’s carried over from past playoff defeats to this season’s four NFC West defeats. Lynch noted that the absences of All-Pros Williams and Christian McCaffrey factors into that. “But we can’t chalk it up to just that. We have to go deeper,” Lynch said. “There are ways we could have gotten it done. When you have division opponents (down) multiple scores, you have to put people away, and that’s what we didn’t do this year. We have to own that. We have to get to the bottom of why exactly that happened, with every decision we make.”
HEALTH CENTER
Fullback Kyle Juszczyk did not practice because of illness. Juszczyk has played every game this season after taking a pay cut in the spring. He is aiming for his ninth straight Pro Bowl invitation.
Also not practicing were Banks, McKivitz, defensive end Robert Beal (ankle) and linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who coach Kyle Shanahan has ruled out for the rest of the season.
Running back Isaac Guerendo participated in a second straight practice and looks on track to make his third career start. Also limited were safety Ji’Ayir Brown (ankle) and defensive end Leonard Floyd (shoulder).
Running back David Montgomery (knee) was the only player on the Lions’ active roster not to practice. Cornerback Terrion Arnold (illness) was limited after missing Thursday’s session. Full participants were guard Graham Glasgow (knee), wide receiver Kalif Raymond (foot) and linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (neck).
GAMEDAY GUIDE
Levi’s Stadium parking lots are to open at 1:45 p.m. Stadium gates open 30 minutes later for club- and suite-ticket holders, with entry for all others starting at 3:15 p.m. Halftime entertainment will feature MIMS and Freedom Williams (from the C+C Music Factory). Tony Lindsay will perform the national anthem.
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