49ers’ Staley unlikely to be ready for Steelers
Associated Press
SANTA CLARA, Calif.
Even with linebacker James Harrison suspended from the vaunted Pittsburgh Steelers defense, the San Francisco 49ers offensive line has no reason to celebrate.
They might be a man down, too.
After surrendering a staggering 18 sacks in the past three games, the 49ers (10-3) are facing the prospect of playing without left tackle Joe Staley for the Monday night matchup against the Steelers (10-3) at Candlestick Park. The blindside blocker is still recovering from a concussion and hasn’t participated in practice this week.
As if San Francisco didn’t have enough to worry about.
“You’ve got to be concerned about everything against Pittsburgh,” 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman said Friday. “I’m concerned about everything, rush defense is very good. They’ve got answers for everything.”
An offensive line that had shown signs of progress this season has suddenly slipped.
Defenses sacked quarterback Alex Smith 14 times in a three-game span from Weeks 2 to 4, then only seven times over the next six games before he was planted in the turf nine times by the Baltimore Ravens on Thanksgiving night. With the competition improving each week, San Francisco’s offensive line has reverted to past form.
Not all of the trouble surfacing is in the passing game, either.
Frank Gore had 10 carries for 72 yards and disappeared in the second half of Sunday’s loss at Arizona after scoring a 37-yard touchdown in the third quarter. Smith struggled with a one-sided offensive scheme, although Roman rejected the idea that the team is not striving for balance.
Making matters worse, the patchwork offensive line is still getting pieced together.
Staley, who took a blow to the head against Arizona and didn’t return, ran light sprints on the sideline during the portion of Friday’s practice open to the media but did not participate with the team.