NFC Notes: Cardinals, 49ers, Rams, Seahawks

Cardinals

With injuries at safety, the Cardinals may need to rely on rookie LB Isaiah Simmons, who also played safety during his time in college. It was speculated by some during the draft process, including Cardinals HC Kliff Kingsbury, that Simmons may eventually do so in the NFL as well.

“That was definitely a big part of the fascination with him, was his ability to learn all those different positions and execute them in college at a high level,” Kingsbury said, via Mason Kern of SI.com. “And then our thought process is if he is able to really focus on one position, having the flexibility to still move around, but really focus on one, what does that look like? And the sky could really be the limit. That’s what we were so excited about. The athleticism is through the roof, but his ability to play so many positions and not really having a chance to focus on one, we just think the sky can be the limit for what he can be if we really locked him in one position for a majority of the time.”

49ers

49ers’ HC Kyle Shanahan was very impressed by QB Nick Mullens, who did an admirable job filling in for the injured Jimmy Garoppolo.

“He was very efficient,” Shanahan said, via Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area. “He made all the plays that were there and made a number of plays that weren’t there, extended a few, had a few big third downs, a few big second-and-longs. He kept us on the field for a while, played tough, and I was very impressed with him. Each time I watch it, I feel stronger about that.”

• Shanahan said he doesn’t expect LB Dre Greenlaw to play in Week 4 against the Eagles due to a quad injury. (Matt Barrows)
• Shanahan expects WR Deebo Samuel to return to practice on Wednesday. He declined to mention if Samuel would be available for Week 4 but said he would be evaluated during the week. (Barrows)
• Samuel and LB Joe Walker will likely replace TE Jordan Reed and LB Mark Nzeocha who are being placed on injured reserve. (Barrows)
• Shanahan is ”still not sure” if Garoppolo will practice on Wednesday due to his ankle injury. (Barrows)
• The team will evaluate Garoppolo along with TE George Kittle and RB Raheem Mostert on Wednesday during practice. (Cam Inman)
• 49ers’ CB K’Waun Williams will also be evaluated as he is feeling discomfort in his hip. (Nick Wagoner)
• Shanahan said LS Kyle Nelson apologized to him following his five bad snaps on Sunday: “I told him that fortunately, it didn’t cost us anything,”  Shanahan added that they will bring in long-snappers to work out tomorrow and decide what to do going forward. (Matt Maiocco)
• As for DE Dee Ford, he has already been ruled out this week due to his back injury and the 49ers’ will decide whether or not to place him on short-term injured reserve. (Maiocco)

Rams

• Per ESPN’s Lindsey Thiry, Rams HC Sean McVay thinks RB Darrell Henderson is probably going to get the start in Week 4 after an impressive performance in Week 3 against the Bills: “He’s a slash type runner, but he’s physical…I think the more that he plays and the more he’s available, the better he’s going to get.”

• McVay noted that S Jordan Fuller (shoulder) and RB Cam Akers (ribs) are both listed as day-to-day with their respective injuries. (Thiry)
• McVay thinks that QB Jared Goff had a large impact against the Bills on Sunday, despite the loss: “His best game yet and it wasn’t even close. His pocket movement, his ability to navigate & be able to move while keeping his eyes downfield and make some big-time throws was outstanding… without a doubt, his best performance of the year, and I thought his movement was as good as it’s been in a long time.” (Thiry)
• The team mentioned that there is still no decision on rookie LB Terrell Lewis who is currently on the injured reserve list. (Jourdan Rodrigue)
• Two Rams players in WR Josh Reynolds and DT Sebastian Joseph-Day suffered ankle injuries against the Bills but are still likely to play on Sunday, according to McVay. Akers is the only player whose status this week is truly in doubt. (Rodrigue)

Seahawks

• Seahawks’ HC Pete Carroll on the injuries suffered by the team against Dallas: “None of the guys that got banged up got banged up seriously where it’s gonna take a long time. We’re gonna have to go through the week and see how it goes. But no surgeries or any of that kind of stuff. So we might have dodged the bullet a little bit.” (Curtis Crabtree)
• Carroll mentioned the play of second-year DL L.J. Collier: “I’m really fired up about L.J. He’s doing great. Has been a factor in some crucial situations, which is great to see.” (Crabtree)
• Carroll continued to mention Collier’s strong start this year: “He’s just getting going. He’s got a lot of upside for us that he’s going to show.” (John Boyle)
• While he repeated the fact the injuries against the Cowboys were non-serious, Carroll said of the injury suffered by S Jamal Adams: “(It’s) going to be hard for him (to play this week).” (Boyle)
• With DB Ugo Amadi playing nickel, Carroll mentioned there has been no drop off in the level of play: “Stuff just comes his way and he makes plays. We’ll continue to expect him to do that.” (Boyle)
• Seahawks’ LB Cody Barton will replace rookie LB Jordyn Brooks if he is unable to play in Week 4, according to Carroll. (Michael-Shawn Dugar)
• Carroll also told reporters that LB Shaquem Griffin will be back on the active roster but wouldn’t confirm if it was an elevation or a promotion: “He earned it.” (Brady Henderson)