NFC Notes: 49ers, Cardinals, Seahawks

49ers

• Matt Barrows of The Athletic prioritizes the 49ers’ top free-agents in 2021 and which five they would sign first. He lists LT Trent Williams, CB Jason Verrett, DT D.J. Jones, FB Kyle Juszczyk, and DE Kerry Hyder as those players.
• Barrows notes that CB Richard Sherman could also be in the No.2 spot, and says that Jones is a high priority defensively because the team has no backup at the defensive tackle position.
• Meanwhile, Barrows thinks that Hyder could be in for a big contract with another team should he get close to double-digit sacks this season.
• Juszczyk will also have other suitors just as he did in 2017, and Barrows says San Francisco may not have the cap room to retain the NFL’s highest-paid fullback.
• As for the addition of DE Takkarist McKinley, Barrows assumed that the team will look for him to take over for DE Dee Ford, but the 49ers waived McKinley with a failed physical designation on Friday.  

Cardinals

Cardinals’ QB Kyler Murray admits that he still misses baseball, even though he’s obviously enjoying his NFL career. 

“I played football, baseball, basketball growing up my whole life. I miss basketball — I didn’t get to play as much as I may have wanted to. But I miss baseball, for sure, just being in the box, being out there with the guys competing,” Murray said, via Pro Football Talk. “But I know I’m where supposed to be at. If I had chosen baseball, I’d be missing football a lot more. For me, I wish I could do both. I definitely feel like I could. I never say never, but as of right now, I’m having fun doing what I love.”

• When asked whether his arm/shoulder was bothering him in Thursday’s game against the Seahawks, Cardinals HC Kyler Murray said it wasn’t an issue: “I’m good.” (Darren Urban)
• Cardinals HC Kliff Kingsbury said he is not sure about the extend of Murray’s AC joint injury: “Not sure about the extent of it. … That’s about all I know. (Darren Urban)
• Kingsbury said they are taking a “wait and see” approach with DE Jordan Phillips‘ hamstring injury and is hopeful that Phillips can return before the end of the regular season. Kingsbury added that he was unsure of when Phillips would return from the injured reserve. (Josh Weinfuss)
• Kingsbury mentioned Cardinals S Jalen Thompson re-injured his ankle that landed him on the injured reserve earlier this year but it is not considered as serious. (Urban)
• The Arizona Cardinals are bringing in veteran TE Seth Devalve for a tryout, according to Aaron Wilson.

Seahawks

Seahawks DE Carlos Dunlap has a game-sealing sack in Thursday’s win over the Cardinals, but he says it’s just the start for him moving forward.  

“They brought me here to do one job. I would like to say that I was happy to get it done,” Dunlap said, via Ben Arthur of Seattle P-I. “This is just a start. I still got a full story to write. I still got to prove a point, and show up when called upon. This is something that I personally see myself being able to do for years to come, and I hope that you got a taste of it today, and there’s going to be more games to play. I just have to continue to show up. This is what they brought me here for. I’m just happy I could deliver.”

Seahawks HC Pete Carroll said their offense got back to its run-first mentality from previous years in Week 11’s game after RB Carlos Hyde ran for 79 yards and one touchdown. 

“It felt like the Seahawks. It felt like the Seahawks that we have all seen over the years,” Carroll said. “Carlos did a great job tonight. He did exactly what we needed. We needed him to run hard and run tough, knock people backwards, and make extra yards with his juice.”

• Seahawks HC Pete Carroll said he expects CB Shaquill Griffin (concussion, hamstring) to return for Week 12. (Michael-Shawn Dugar)
• Carroll mentioned that Seahawks OT Brandon Shell sustained a sprained ankle in Thursday’s game. (Dugar)
• As for Seahawks RB Chris Carson‘s return from a foot injury, Carroll said the running back will play in Week 12 barring any setbacks. Carroll added that RB Rashaad Penny (knee) is still a “few weeks” away.
• As for Seahawks’ veteran TE Greg Olsen‘s plantar fascia injury, Carroll said the tight end is expected to miss some time: “[Olsen] is legitimately hurt. It’s going to be a while for him.” (Bob Condotta)
• Carroll added that Olsen’s injury typically requires 4-6 weeks to recover. (Condotta)
• Carroll said he expects CB Quinton Dunbar (knee) to return from the injured reserve this season and will be re-evaluated after Week 12 against the Eagles. (Dugar)