Golden Nuggets: Fooch is Leaving Us

Good morning folks. It’s an extremely busy week for me, as the combination of work (end-of-the-calendar-year stuff) and classes (exams week) are eating up much of my existence, and so I’ll try to keep it short. As you’ve probably heard, our founder and long-time editor Fooch has designed and accepted a new position within the SBN mothership, and his days as the fearless leader here are numbered. It’s certainly a big loss to the Niners Nation site, but perhaps an even bigger loss to the Niners Nation community as a whole - his ability to stay level-headed and neutral on virtually any topic has led to over a decade of healthy, knowledge-building discussion around our San Francisco 49ers as a team and as an organization. He’ll be greatly missed once he departs at the conclusion of the season.

Anyway, after a few weeks of having a relatively clean injury report, the volume of players listed is beginning to grow again. Dekoda Watson has been officially placed on IR and 2017 draftee Pita Taumoepenu has been called up to replace his spot. Often injured RB Matt Breida and S Jaquiski Tartt did not practice on Wednesday, which clouds the likelihood of the former playing on Sunday, and lines up with the latter’s being ruled out. DB DJ Reed has returned to full practice, luckily at a time when Tartt is out and backup Antone Exum is limited in practice - suffice it to say, the safety position is on shaky ground. Pierre Garcon remains limited with a knee injury that has been nagging him for most of the season, although the 49ers get Marquise Goodwin back, after a two week absence due to family issues. The offensive line is represented by Weston Richburg and Laken Tomlinson, both being limited in practice on Wednesday.

Week 14 injury report | Chan, NBC Sports Bay Area | Madson, Ninerswire

RB Jeff Wilson Jr. made a great first impression | Branch, SF Chronicle | Almquist, KNBR | Biderman, Sac Bee

LB Pita Taumoepenu promoted from PS | Maiocco, NBC Sports Bay Area | Madson, Ninerswire

49ers need to tailor defense to their players | Jeff Garcia, NBC Sports Bay Area

Mullens worthy of a fifth start | Maiocco, NBC Sports Bay Area

49ers to sign LS Colin Holba | Almquist, KNBR | Madson, Ninerswire

Kyle Shanahan: Effective pass rush can hide a lot | KNBR Staff | Biderman, Sac Bee | Madson, Ninerswire

LS Kyle Nelson’s PED suspension not his first | Madson, Ninerswire