49ers Post: Why isn’t Jordan Mason more involved? What happened to SF’s defense? What’s wrong with Deebo Samuel?

Images of Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn

This is a key week for the San Francisco 49ers. After Thanksgiving, they travel to face the Buffalo Bills on Sunday Night Football. While few (if any) expect the 49ers to win this game, you never know. The 49ers could reignite a fire that has been missing all season. If they are the same team they were in the third quarter of the Dallas Cowboys game, maybe they can turn things around. But if not, fans will start looking at potential draft picks.

We have opened the 49ers Webzone mailbox to receive your message. Thank you very much to everyone who submitted questions. Thank you also for reading.

Enough of this nonsense, let’s jump into the mailbag and see what’s on your mind.

Will Mason finally get more touches in the coming weeks? At least for a change, perhaps CMC is involved in overtaking situations more often. -Tim P

I think one of the most frustrating things about Kyle is that he overuses his stars to the point that they become injury-prone and tire in the playoffs. Why isn’t Mason more involved? It looks like CMC may be too stubborn to be defeated as well. – Andy G

One of the most frequently asked questions by 49ers fans is why Kyle Shanahan (and RB coach Bobby Turner) aren’t using Jordan Mason more, especially since Christian McCaffrey he doesn’t look like his normal self. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I don’t expect anything to change anytime soon. Shanahan and Turner will continue to use McCaffrey as much as they can. That’s what they’ve done for the last two seasons, and that’s what they’ve done so far this season. This is probably more of a Turner decision than anyone else’s, as Shanahan is a pusher. And Turner really trusts McCaffrey more than Mason or Isaac Guerendo.

If Elijah Mitchell was healthy, maybe he would have played more than Mason had the last three weeks. Turner always seemed to have a lot of confidence in Mitchell.

I want to know what happened to the defense. -Aneta B.

Here’s the defense in a nutshell:

This may be an oversimplification, but these are the three main issues that have led to the problems we see in defense.

Maybe it’s time to call in a bugler to play “Taps” during the 49ers season? How about we wait for the stout lady to sing instead? -Ed H

Whoever you call is warmed up and ready to play. If the 49ers lose on Sunday night in Buffalo, and they likely will, they will mathematically still be in the race. But the way to climb will be extremely steep.

To me, this team doesn’t look like it has another winning streak ahead of it, at least this season. I don’t see the fire they played with in previous seasons. Remember a few years ago when every team that played the 49ers lost another game? This team is no longer here.

Will there be a DC change during the season? I know they don’t do this in San Francisco, but the season is fast approaching. They cannot afford another loss. Maybe let Staley rule for the rest of the season. It’s clear that Sorensen has outgrown his abilities. – Tristan C.

No, I would be shocked if Shanahan fired Nick Sorensen or Brian Schneider (special teams) during the season. Perhaps Brandon Staley could do a better job, but so far Staley hasn’t been part of the solution. So unless Staley offers suggestions that Sorensen ignores, I don’t expect any changes during the season.

Purdy’s current health status? -Tim P

We should know more in the next few days, but MRI Brock Purdy passed, showed no issues that would be of concern to the 49ers. Looks like he was kicked out this week without any problems. So unless something new comes along, Purdy should be able to play on Sunday.

The run defense was cut like Wisconsin cheese yesterday! I know this has been a season-long issue, but what do you see as the main factor: the wide 9? Which, by the way, is ineffective without Bosa. The Niners going cheap on D linemen? I also didn’t like that Warner was sniffing on so many picks! – Andy G

The Wide-9 is susceptible to driving, so yes, that could be part of the problem. Injuries are another part of the problem. But perhaps the biggest problem is that the 49ers don’t have great players on defense. Kalia Davis AND Jordan Elliott they were supposed to be, but they didn’t look like that this season.

It doesn’t help that Greenlaw won’t be playing or that Arik Armstead left in the offseason. I think the loss of time, especially on the defensive line, has caught up with them. Before the season, they need to improve their defense line.

When is the Greenlaw internship window expected to open? -Dennis S.

They opened on Monday, so Greenlaw should be back in training this week. The team has three weeks to decide what to do with him. They can activate him (like they did with McCaffrey) or end his season (like Feliciano).

My only question is when all the injured starters will return. Will they come back to run, because if not, there is no need to risk injury to the starters who are on the field, especially Christian! –Lawrence K

Purdy should be able to play on Sunday. Bosa i Trent Williams they are in the air, but they should not stay outside for too long. Greenlaw’s practice window opened on Monday, so it’s getting closer. Ward (uninjured) should be back soon. Jon Feliciano is out until the end of the season. I haven’t heard any updates on Hufanga.

How can the defense be so bad without Bosa? They talk a lot, but when it comes to performances, they are very soft, lacking pickups, etc. Do you have any quick fix other than Dre coming back? -Stefan A

I don’t think there’s a quick fix for the 49ers defense, even with Greenlaw back. If he comes back with Ward and Hufanga, it will help. But their problems run deeper than simply bringing back a few injured starters.

We need a better strength and conditioning department. I know Stanford… blah blah blah. Is it possible to change teams in the off-season? -Jason B

Yes, this is an option, but they made changes in this area a few years ago. Would Shanahan and John Lynch make such a move again? Maybe if they think it’s the best move for the players. However, this team’s injuries are likely not due to the strength and conditioning of the personnel, but rather the deep playoff run and the style of football the 49ers play.

And then there is happiness. In some seasons it goes your way. In some seasons this is not the case.

Why is Deebo subject to regulation designed to lure these last few games? Do you think he’s struggling with an injury or maybe he’s just not at his best? I really think he needs to be more committed if we are going to win games. – Andy G

Actually, Deebo Samuel He hasn’t had that much contact with the ball lately. And when he did, it didn’t go well. He had a long return after the start of the match and was called for a return for holding (even though it didn’t look like a penalty). But Samuel also had some big drops in Green Bay. One of them turned into an interception.

Even before the game against the Packers, Samuel didn’t look that strong and fast. This season he hasn’t broken tackles like he has in previous years. It will be interesting to see what happens with him this offseason. Could the 49ers get rid of their wide receiver? If his body keeps him from being the Deebo Samuel he used to be, they could. Trail running is not his forte. They relied on short passes to ensure he won the ball and allowed him to break down attacks. He hasn’t done that this season.

So I’m not sure he was bait. I think it’s just not open enough. And Shanahan isn’t using him like he’s used to, especially since McCaffrey has returned.

That’s all we have for this week’s edition of the 49ers Webzone mailbox. Have a happy Thanksgiving and try not to eat too much. We’ll be back next week with a brand new mailbag.