49ers-Texans Injury Report: Brian Cushing continues to sit out

by Fooch on Oct 23, 2009 8:15 AM PDT in News Comment 19 comments

I wanted to post this last night but I had some Internet issues. I'm flying back east to Washington, DC for a wedding and some vacation and it just didn't work out. I'm actually typing this now on a Virgin America red eye flight (for tense purposes, assume I'm writing it Friday morning). They have wireless Internet available. Normally it's $12, but for selected red eye's (including this one), it's $6. I'm gonna be pretty exhausted tomorrow, so I figured why not roll out some posts on the plane? If you haven't flown Virgin, I highly recommend it. Maybe next time they'll give me free Internet access on a flight for this kind of plug!

Anyways, back to the 49ers. The 49ers released their practice report yesterday and there weren't a ton of surprises, but there were two issues I wanted to address. First is strong safety Michael Lewis. After his most recent concussion (the third since the beginning of August), Lewis was limited (although not completely out) in practice the last two days. While that's no guarantee he'll be out, I think it's safe to expect everyone's favorite safety Mark Roman to be starting at strong safety on Sunday. I know many folks dread the appearance of Roman on the field, but I'm curious to see what he can do in a starter's role at the other safety position. Maybe it'll be an unmitigated disaster. But maybe it won't. We can certainly hope.

The more intriguing information is related to Texans linebacker Brian Cushing. In Wednesday's injury report, Cushing was listed as having sat out practice due to a foot injury. When yesterday's report came out, Cushing was listed as having missed that practice as well. Brian Cushing has been quite the playmaker recently in the Texans defense so missed time would certainly seem to be cause for concern. He's starting to force turnovers and appears to be showing some ball deflection skills.

So in reality this might be an issue for our newly minted Texans readers to address. What's up with Brian Cushing's foot? Inquiring minds want to know!

In our Q&A, Jake mentioned that Cushing has been a big addition to the Texans defense but their biggest concerns remained the lack of a pass rush and general inconsistency. He indicated Mario Williams has been playing with an injured shoulder, which has contributed to his depressed numbers. If Cushing is out, or is at the very least limited, the 49ers will need to find a way to take advantage.

The 49ers offensive line has been much maligned. Given the Texans defensive struggles over the course of the season, will the juggled o-line be able to take care of business? I always worry about chemistry concerns on the offensive line but am I inflating that concern? This is moving the discussion away from Brian Cushing, but obviously the Texans defense versus the 49ers offensive line is an issue to consider as a whole.

0 recs | Comment 19 comments | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

It

would be huge if Cushing didnt play. I watched a couple Texans games. The guy really jumps out watching their defense. Almost like how Patrick Willis was as a rookie. I was watching a texans game with my brother in law. The word he used for Cushing was ‘violent’

by save10 on Oct 23, 2009 8:27 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Cushing will play.

He has had this foot thing for a while now. He sits out alot of practices.

He was on a local interview yesterday and reiterated that he is positrive he will play.

The foot issue is inflammation. Not sure what happened but MRI shows that he has no injury, just inflammation. Kubiak has said that he wants to rest Cushing to keep him fresh for the game.

He sat out last week some before the Bengals game with the same issue and then had his “AFC defensive player of the week” game.

So while it certainly IS bothering him. It doesn’t seem to be impacting his play at all.

To be honest the more concerning injury is Mario WIlliam’s shoulder. Shoulder’s don’t heal quickly. He will play of course, but over time it may get worse.

"An open mind is like a fortress with it's gates unbarred and unguarded."

The ROSENFAIL : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAKAKE-uq-8&feature=related

by TexansForever on Oct 23, 2009 9:09 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow

He is a rookie, and already getting days off like a vet. What a bum

by hudd07 on Oct 23, 2009 9:44 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Getting days off to not aggravate an injury makes a guy a bum? Were you joking or being serious? I don’t want to be that guy who can’t detect sarcasm.

by nolander on Oct 23, 2009 9:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You are that guy

What we've got here is a failure to communicate.

by chikmagnet_565 on Oct 23, 2009 10:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Virgin America...

…is awesome. I try to fly it whenever I can.

by Bigmouth on Oct 23, 2009 9:13 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I hear good things about them

Problem is they don’t fly out of Sacramento where I used to live and also out of Fresno where I live now…

by hudd07 on Oct 23, 2009 9:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oline

I think chemistry is VERY important with the oline. I think they need to know who each other is going to block and know how each other blocks. I think having Heit at Center is going to help the transistion as he can call out the coverages but still all this rotation stuff is making me nervous.

by hudd07 on Oct 23, 2009 9:44 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

You are not inflating the chemistry issue

It is legit. And we struggled vs the Rams defense in our stadium, so I’m not convinced we can do much more against an average Texans defense without the help of turnovers for field position. Unless the addition of Crabtree plus the retun of Gore gives us those handful of plays (either made by them or created due to their presence) that make the difference between a TD instead of FG, or points instead of 3 & out. This would certainly be a team we should expose if our line plays a bit better.

As for Roman, I wish Reggie Smith was healthy so we could see him in the nickel. Does this mean that big Taylor will see any action in the nickel or only if Roman gets an injury?

And I flew Virgin to London. Nice airline and friendly staff.

You gotta bring ass to get ass.

by SpurredOn on Oct 23, 2009 9:57 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Unless the addition of Crabtree plus the retun of Gore gives us those handful of plays…

I don’t know what kind of an impact Crabtree is going to have, but not having Gore really crippled the 49ers. Coffee, while he may have potential to be a decent RB, has some vision issues, pass blocking issues, and pass receiving issues. When he was playing, it was almost like the 49ers didn’t really have a HB at all.

by sfgfan on Oct 23, 2009 10:07 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep. Gore's value was seen in his absence.

Because he had such horrible numbers vs AZ and the story from the Seattle game was “if you take away those two long runs…” it made it too easy for some to assume it didn’t matter who was back there, especially with line problems. But as you say, Gore can make up for some of that with his vision, big play ability, blocking and receiving. Just his threat likely opens up someone in the passing game.

The past two seasons we are 2-2 without Gore. Both wins over the Rams. Both losses to winning teams. He definitely matters.

You gotta bring ass to get ass.

by SpurredOn on Oct 23, 2009 10:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed on Reggie Smith

Before the season I had hoped he would leapfrog Roman on the depth chart by now but he just can’t seem to get healthy. It would be a great time to see what he can do on the field as an every down player… we already know Roman is mediocre at best and it’s his last season on the team.

In fact, I was hoping Smith would substitute in for Lewis on clear passing downs this season.

Any prognosis on when he will be healthy?

by abasketballfan on Oct 23, 2009 10:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Injuries

They are a part of football but since we’ve had no major injuires other than Gore, I think the perception would be that we are a very healthy team. But missed practice and games by Jones (plus Crabtree’s absence) has retarted the passing game. Reggie Smith, Ulbrich, Hudson and Harris’s injuries have hurt the special teams blocking and coverage and Smith’s injury is hurting his development as future safety (and perhaps present). And McDonald missed most of the Atlanta game.

The bye week may very well have been well times. We’ve got a good team but our margin for error is very small we need our key people and all units to play well.

You gotta bring ass to get ass.

by SpurredOn on Oct 23, 2009 10:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Smith

I have no clue why the 49ers are labeling/trying him as a SS, when I think he’s a better fit at FS. I actually think Goldson could make for a great pass-defending SS, as he also likes to lay the helmet.

by sfgfan on Oct 23, 2009 10:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Could still happen

That may have been out of respect for Lewis and getting Goldson in the lineup. If it happens, he would understand both safety positions. Something to watch in the offseason.

You gotta bring ass to get ass.

by SpurredOn on Oct 23, 2009 11:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Roman against Schaub?

Oh wow. I need to tack on another 14 points for the Texans in the prediction game.

GROUGTHINK ALERT
The first Chester Arthur fanboy ever.

by groug on Oct 23, 2009 11:40 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Roman

Remember he’s likely to spend more time in the run support role if it’s anything like Lewis’s role when healthy.

by Fooch on Oct 23, 2009 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

DC 9ers fans

Hey Fooch (and anyone else)

I’m a Bay Area native living in DC. If anybody happens to be stuck out here for a Niners game, my friends and I have Sunday Ticket at our house and host a Niners watching party every weekend. Feel free to drop me an e-mail if you’re interested in dropping by.

by mrwuzzman on Oct 23, 2009 9:04 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs