SANTA CLARA -- Wide receivers disappeared from the 49ers’ offense in Sunday's 39-10 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Quarterback C.J. Beathard completed 15 of 27 passes for 170 yards. Starting wide receivers Marquise Goodwin and Pierre Garçon combined for just three receptions on six targets for 29 yards.
“They didn’t play much man coverage today, especially the way it went in the first half,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said of the Rams' defense. “They were real soft in their coverages and zones, and tried to take away the big play and make us work our way the field, and we obviously struggled to do that.”
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Backup receiver Kendrick Bourne played 26 snaps and did not catch a pass. Slot receiver Trent Taylor had one reception on three targets for 6 yards. Neither Victor Bolden nor Richie James were targeted with passes.
“They were mixing it up a lot on what they were doing,” Beathard said of the Rams’ defense. “There’s no rhyme or reason. They were mixing it up, and they were doing a good job with that.”
Beathard did not have much time to get the ball to the outside receivers. He was sacked seven times for minus-49 yards.
The first two sacks were particularly costly. Beathard fumbled to end the 49ers’ first drive, leading to a Los Angeles field goal. On the second drive, the 49ers were pushed out of field-goal range when Beathard was sacked for an 11-yard loss.
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Beathard said the 49ers’ passing game can improve in a lot of different areas.
“We can get better with me seeing guys, the O-line protecting, the receivers getting open, getting some separation,” he said. “I think we all need to get better in that aspect.”
Sherman sidelined
During practice Thursday, 49ers veteran cornerback Richard Sherman aggravated a calf injury that kept him out a game earlier in the season.
Shanahan said he isn't certain about the severity of the condition, but Sherman watched Sunday's game from the sideline.
“I just know it was hurting him Thursday, so we had to take him out, and he didn’t go on Friday,” Shanahan said. “We tried to look into it Saturday, and it was still bothering him, so we had to shut him down. We’ll see (Monday) how he feels.”
Injury report
Linebacker Reuben Foster, who has a history of shoulder conditions, was injured late in the game as he attempted a diving tackle of Todd Gurley, who scored on a 12-yard pass late in the game. Foster injured his right shoulder and did not play the final 10 snaps of the game.
Free safety Adrian Colbert sustained a right ankle sprain early in the third quarter and was carted off the field. He did not re-enter the game, but he returned to the team’s sideline a short time later after X-rays were negative.
Safety Jaquiski Tartt sustained a shoulder stinger late in the game, and nickel back K’Waun Williams returned after aggravating a shoulder injury. Running back Matt Breida aggravated an ankle injury on his first carry of the game and played just four more snaps the rest of the game.
[RELATED: Time to reassess Breida's ankle]
This ‘n’ that
The Rams’ 29-point victory over the 49ers was their fourth-largest margin in the series history. The Rams’ three biggest blowouts against the 49ers all took place at least five decades ago: road losses of 56-7 in1 958 and 34-3 in 1966; and a 33-3 loss at Kezar Stadium 1958. ...
Running back Raheem Mostert has emerged as a viable option. On Sunday, he gained 59 yards on seven carries. “He earned it in practice last week and had a good game versus Green Bay,” Shanahan said. “He wasn’t perfect by any means today, but he had a few good plays and he’s running hard for us. The better he does, the more opportunities he’ll get.” ...
The 49ers got little pressure on Rams quarterback Jared Goff, as Cassius Marsh and Arik Armstead recorded the team’s only sacks. Marsh’s sack came to end the first series after Goff mishandled the snap.