When the Miami Dolphins formally dominated left deal with Terron Armstead out forward of their sport in opposition to the 49ers on Sunday, that meant they’d face San Francisco’s top-ranked protection and star go rusher Nick Bosa with backup tackles Brandon Shell and Greg Little.
Armstead’s pectoral pressure, mixed with proper deal with Austin Jackson already dominated out on Friday together with his ankle damage, put the Shell-Little mixture at he forefront of the matchup.
The Dolphins began Shell at proper deal with with Little on the left aspect, and so they largely fared nicely in opposition to the 49ers go rush — however Bosa completed with three sacks and a compelled fumble that led to a landing.
“I thought they did a pretty good job because that is a tough, tall task,” McDaniel mentioned. “There will be stuff that I learn from and that I could’ve done a better job with them, but for the most part, I think they really performed and took the challenge.”
Said middle Connor Williams: “I’m proud of how everybody stepped to the plate.”
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, nonetheless, appeared flustered within the pocket typically, with inaccurate throws even when he had time.
Only certainly one of Bosa’s three sacks may very well be attributed to the tackles. That one got here in opposition to Shell, and it sealed the win for the 49ers. Bosa compelled a fumble that was recovered by linebacker Dre Greenlaw and returned for a landing.
Bosa, a former St. Thomas Aquinas standout, bought his first sack early within the second quarter when the Dolphins went to the go on third-and-inches. Running again Jeff Wilson Jr. was left to take care of Bosa on his personal after a play faux to him and chip on Bosa by fullback Alec Ingold. Miami settled for a area purpose after the 8-yard loss.
Bosa bought his second late within the first half, when he got here free on a stunt, beginning off over left deal with after which sliding within the A-gap between the middle and proper guard.
He additionally hit Tagovailoa as soon as within the first quarter simply after the Dolphins quarterback launched a go to an open Jaylen Waddle over the center however ended up barely underthrown, the place linebacker Fred Warner may deflect it in his zone. In the third quarter, Bosa attending to Tagovailoa backfired as he was flagged for roughing the passer, hitting the quarterback low and late after a completion to Tyreek Hill.
Shell and Little every have extra of their profession expertise on the respective positions they performed Sunday.
Shell has appeared extra snug when he has stuffed in at proper deal with than when he has performed left. Each has been compelled into motion at each positions this season.
“Imagine if you’re right-handed and you go and write with your left hand,” Shell defined as to the distinction he feels earlier this week. “You don’t feel too good. You can do it, but you don’t feel too good.”
“Wherever coach needs me and when he needs me, I need to be ready,” Little mentioned this week, including he was extra assured on his left deal with play coming into the season however now feels his play on the suitable aspect has pulled even with expertise gained there this yr.
Little bought 4 begins at proper deal with from Weeks 2 by means of 5 this season when Jackson initially went down with a high-ankle sprain. Following Armstead’s toe damage that brought on him to overlook the Oct. 16 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, Shell began at proper deal with with Little at left after, when Armstead initially exited the Oct. 9 sport on the New York Jets, Shell entered on the left aspect.
When Armstead returned for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 23, Shell held on as beginning proper deal with till Jackson’s return final week in opposition to the Houston Texans, filling in nicely.
As each Armstead and Jackson began collectively for the primary time since Week 1 in opposition to Houston, Armstead first went out proper earlier than halftime with the chest ailment whereas Jackson made his exit within the fourth quarter, aggravating the ankle damage he simply returned from.
Armstead’s absence in opposition to the Texans instantly spelled hassle for Tagovailoa, who was sacked 4 occasions between the top of the primary half and his two drives within the third quarter earlier than the Dolphins sat him with a 30-6 lead in hand.
The 49ers have huge receiver Deebo Samuel (quadriceps) and left deal with Trent Williams (again) enjoying after the 2 entered questionable.
The 49ers’ protection additionally bought defensive deal with Arik Armstead again for the primary time since Week 4.
Armstead entered uncertain with the pectoral pressure and toe damage that has lingered since Miami’s opener. He was amongst seven Dolphins inactives introduced 90 minutes earlier than the 4:05 p.m. kickoff at Levi’s Stadium.
Dolphins quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and working again Myles Gaskin have been additionally dominated out forward of the sport after every entered Sunday questionable.
Healthy Dolphins inactives have been cornerback Noah Igbinoghene, huge receiver Erik Ezukanma and tight finish Hunter Long.
To assist with offensive line depth, the Dolphins elevated linemen Kenall Lamm and James Empey from the observe squad to the game-day roster on Saturday.
Garoppolo exits
49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo exited Sunday’s sport within the first quarter. He was dominated out for the sport with the foot damage and is now out for the season.
San Francisco backup quarterback Brock Purdy entered for Garoppolo to begin the second offensive sequence.
Garoppolo was carted off the sphere and into the Levi’s Stadium proper earlier than the drive started. The 49ers’ first sequence ended on a sack the place Garoppolo’s left foot/ankle was rolled up on as he was sacked by Dolphins linebackers Jaelan Phillips and Jerome Baker. Fellow Niners quarterback Trey Lance is on injured reserve.
For the Dolphins, huge receiver Jaylen Waddle was questionable to return with a leg damage suffered within the second quarter. He had gone into the locker room however was again on Miami’s sideline earlier than halftime after which returned to begin the second half.
Linebacker Elandon Roberts was questionable to return at halftime with a calf damage but in addition was again for the second half.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com