NFC West Notes: 49ers, Cardinals, Rams, Seahawks

49ers

49ers GM John Lynch said Friday that they plan to be aggressive in terms of potential trades and free agent additions to improve their roster as long as they’re cost-effective.

“Believe me, we sense that this team has something special to them,” Lynch said, via the Mercury News. “It’s very early in the year. But anything we can do to improve, we’re going to be aggressive in trying to do so, so long as it’s not mortgaging the future and it just going to give us short-term success and then hurt us in the future.”

When asked specifically if they’re looking into potential trades for Redskins LT Trent Williams and Jaguars CB Jalen Ramsey, Lynch says they’re “unique” situations. 

“You look at those opportunities. There are some unique ones,” Lynch said. “Now, I think, though, we’re always assuming that people are available. That’s not always the case.

“Just because they’re out there and not playing with their current team, (that) doesn’t mean they’re always available. So we look into these things. We often make calls on these things.”

Cardinals

Cardinals GM Steve Keim was asked about the criticism of the contract they signed RB David Johnson to last year. 

“[I]t’s unfair to a degree,” Keim said, via AZCardinals.com. “It’s all about opportunities and there are a number of things that go into it, whether it is scheme, the number of touches he has had, trying to get acclimated to the new system. David has a lot of good football ahead of him and we are excited where he is at.”

• Regarding the decision to release veteran WR Michael Crabtree, Keim says it comes down to having more playing time for their younger receivers: “There are a lot of questions the fans and media would have about that, but it really comes down to getting opportunities for the young players. Andy (Isabella) and KeeSean (Johnson) have shown us a lot of things in practice that get us excited about their future.”
• Keim was also asked about potential trades for LT Trent Williams and CB Jalen Ramsey: “Every decision we make is about opportunity. What makes us better right now and what makes us better in the future? We look at every opportunity. We have to be smart about building this thing going forward.”
• The Arizona Cardinals officially ruled out WR Damiere Byrd (hamstring) and S Charles Washington (shoulder) for Week 4 and list DT Miles Brown (shoulder), G Lamont Gaillard (knee), and P Andy Lee (right hip) as questionable.

Rams

• Rams HC Sean McVay said that all of the team’s players are available to play Sunday, which means TE Tyler Higbee and OL Austin Blythe will play against the Buccaneers in Week 4. (Lindsay Thiry)

Seahawks

Seahawks HC Pete Carroll mentioned during an interview with KIRO Radio on Friday that DE Ziggy Ansah is expected to play Sunday at Arizona, despite missing Thursday’s practice with a back issue.

“We think he’s going to be OK,” Carroll said, per Brady Henderson. “It’s just something we had to take care of and make sure it didn’t fester to the weekend.”

• Carroll also said that RB Rashaad Penny (hamstring) will be a game-time decision: “He’s close. We’ll figure it out.”
• As for Seahawks LT Duane Brown (biceps), Carroll mentioned that he will be “fine.”
• According to Carroll, Tedric Thompson (hamstring) “had a really good week” and will play while Ethan Pocic (neck) is out.
• Carroll mentioned that they’re hoping to re-sign DT Bryan Mone to their practice squad. (Bob Condotta)
• Carroll confirmed that first-round DE L.J. Collier will be active this week. (Bob Condotta)