49ers defensive tackle Jullian Taylor suited up for the first two games of the season but found himself on the inactive list when the club decided to go with eight defensive linemen the next three games.
Taylor, the ninth lineman on the team, got his chance Sunday in the 49ers’ 9-0 victory over Washington due to starting nose tackle D.J. Jones’ inability to play due to a hamstring injury.
Taylor played only six snaps in the game, but he made the most of them. He got through the Washington line to wrap up running back Adrian Peterson and, along with Ronald Blair, stopped him for a 1-yard loss on a crucial fourth-down play in the first half.
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Then, Taylor recovered a Peterson fumble forced by linebacker Kwon Alexander in the third quarter when Washington was driving, trailingly only 3-0.
“He never knows each week whether he’s going to be up or not based off usually other positions and how we’re going to play that game,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said. “But it was a huge turning point getting that turnover.”
With Jones out of the lineup, Solomon Thomas made his first start of the season and played 21 snaps. Thomas made two tackles and was called for a roughing-the-passer penalty against Washington quarterback Case Keenum.
DeForest Buckner, Nick Bosa and Arik Armstead led the way on the defensive line, as they played 43, 41 and 40 snaps, respectively.
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Although Taylor saw the least action of any of the 49ers’ defensive linemen, he made his presence felt.
“Things like that just boosts the confidence of the defense,” Buckner said. “It also makes you very happy for a guy to get his opportunity again and for him to make big-time plays in a game like this.”
The biggest adjustment the 49ers made on offense was at wide receiver, where Deebo Samuel did not suit up due to a groin injury.
Dante Pettis and Marquise Goodwin started, but Goodwin played only seven snaps after taking a shot early in the game while going across the middle. Jordan Matthews was active for the first time as a member of the 49ers and played three snaps.
Pettis played 59 of the team’s offensive snaps, but did not catch any passes. Kendrick Bourne saw a significant increase in playing time. He played 57 snaps, and caught three passes for a team-best 69 yards.
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Here is a look at how much everyone on the 49ers played Sunday on offense, defense and special teams:
Offense
Total offensive snaps: 64
Quarterback – Jimmy Garoppolo 64
Running back – Tevin Coleman 42, Matt Breida 17, Jeff Wilson 8
Wide receiver – Dante Pettis 59, Kendrick Bourne 57, Richie James 32, Marquise Goodwin 7, Jordan Matthews 3
Tight end – George Kittle 61 Ross Dwelley 24, Levine Toilolo 10
Offensive line – Weston Richburg 64, Laken Tomlinson 64, Mike Person 64, Justin Skule 64, Daniel Brunskill 64
Did not play – Nick Mullens, Ben Garland
Defense
Total defensive snaps: 48
Defensive line – DeForest Buckner 43, Nick Bosa 41, Arik Armstead 40, Solomon Thomas 21, Dee Ford 15, Sheldon Day 15, Ronald Blair 12, Jullian Taylor 6
Linebacker – Kwon Alexander 48, Fred Warner 48, Dre Greenlaw 14
Defensive back – Jaquiski Tartt 48, Jimmie Ward 48, Emmanuel Moseley 48, Richard Sherman 48, K’Waun Williams 33
Special teams
Total special teams plays: 26
Dontae Johnson 12, Tarvarius Moore 12, Mark Nzeocha 12, Marcell Harris 11, Raheem Mostert 11, Mitch Wishnowsky 10, Azeez Al-Shaair 10, Greenlaw 9, Wilson 9, D.J. Reed 8, Bourne 8, Garrison Sanborn 6, James 5, Armstead 5, Buckner 5, Ward 5, Sam Young 4, Robbie Gould 4, Person 4, Skule 4, Brunskill 4, Tomlinson 4, Richburg 4, Tartt 3, Toilolo 3, Dwelley 2, Day 1, Thomas 1
Not active
QB C.J. Beathard
FB Kyle Juszczyk (knee)
WR Deebo Samuel (groin)
LT Joe Staley (leg)
RT Mike McGlinchey (knee)
NT D.J. Jones (hamstring)
CB Ahkello Witherspoon (foot)