NFC Notes: Cardinals, 49ers, Seahawks

Cardinals

• Per Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic, Cardinals HC Kliff Kingsbury said he was excited for WR KeeSean Johnson before he landed on the COVID-19 list: “Unfortunate for KeeSean; I thought he was one of the most improved players in camp. I know he’s antsy to get back. We’re all fired up and hopefully it will be sooner rather than later.”
• Kingsbury acknowledged the team worked out K Mike Nugent but he expressed support in current K Zane Gonzalez despite his miss Sunday: “We feel very comfortable with Zane and where he’s at.” (McManaman)
• Washington HC Ron Rivera revealed Washington was unaware the Texans had made WR DeAndre Hopkins available for trade until he was dealt to the Cardinals. (McManaman)
• The Cardinals brought in tight ends Evan Baylis and Justin Johnson for tryouts on Wednesday. (Aaron Wilson)

49ers

New 49ers WR Mohamed Sanu tells Josina Anderson of ESPN that his move to San Francisco “happened so quick” and he already spoke with HC Kyle Shanahan. 

“Jo, it happened so quick. I’m on the plane now. Got to have the rest of my clothes sent. Kyle, said it’ll be awesome to have me, so I feel welcomed. Funny you & I were just talking about this yesterday.”

• The Athletic’s Matt Barrows says the 49ers don’t appear to be interested in bringing back CB Jamar Taylor, who spent most of camp with the team, despite their injuries at the position. 
• NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport says 49ers CB Richard Sherman has a calf strain which is why he was placed on injured reserve. He’s expected to be ready to return after the minimum three weeks before he’s eligible to be activated.
• 49ers CB Ahkello Witherspoon is also in the concussion protocol. He’s the top candidate to replace Sherman when he’s cleared. (Barrows)
• 49ers RB Raheem Mostert plans to leave the team next week to go to Cleveland for the delivery of his son. Mostert was cleared to be in the room with his wife and will take a COVID-19 test at the Browns facility. (Matt Maiocco)
• The team will already be on the East Coast for back-to-back road games against the Jets and Giants. Mostert is not expected to miss either game. 
• 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan said TE George Kittle could still play even if he misses the entire week of practice with a knee injury: “He fully expects to be there Sunday. We’ll give him the whole week. Like to get him out there Friday to see how goes.” (Cam Inman)

Seahawks

All throughout the offseason, Seahawks fans hoped and pushed for the team to open up the offense for QB Russell Wilson. The quarterback himself appeared to lobby Seahawks HC Pete Carroll to throw more earlier in games and for the team to put more weapons around him. Sunday against the Falcons, that appeared to be what happened, as Wilson let the ball hit the ground just four times, which is as many touchdowns as he tossed. However, Carroll suggested Seattle’s divergence from their usual run-focused identity might have been a blip. 

• Carroll and Patriots HC Bill Belichick, who face each other Sunday, are the two oldest active head coaches at 69 and 68 respectively. Carroll doesn’t have any plans to retire soon or before Belichick, per Ben Volin of the Boston Globe: “I don’t know. Ask him. I feel great. I’m kind of on a five year plan.”