NFC West Notes: 49ers, Cardinals, Seahawks

49ers

• Ian Rapoport reports that 49ers TE George Kittle‘s MRI confirmed a minor knee injury which isn’t a concern. 
• According to Jeremy Fowler, Kittle also had ankle soreness as well as the knee issue coming off of Thursday’s game in Arizona. Fowler says that neither is considered an issue for Kittle and the 10-day layoff should help him get back to full strength.

Cardinals

Cardinals GM Steve Keim said the team had early discussions about signing recently acquired RB Kenyan Drake as an unrestricted free agent in the 2020 offseason, but traded for him at Tuesday’s deadline when Miami made him available. 

“We were looking at him for free agency (in 2020),” said Keim, via Darren Urban. “When the opportunity presented itself for the trade with the Dolphins, we certainly jumped.”

Keim and the Cardinals’ front office felt that Drake was a “perfect fit” for their system. 

“We did our homework on him,” Keim said. “More than anything, we felt like organizationally we felt like he was a perfect fit for this team. A guy who could get isolated in space, had tremendous footspeed and straight-line explosiveness, caught the ball well out of the backfield. He was somewhat of a mirror image of the guys we currently have, but also brings some other skills to the table.”

• Cardinals HC Kliff Kingsbury said RB David Johnson‘s ankle is “progressing nicely” but was not fully recovered in time for Thursday night’s game.C (Josh Weinfuss)
• Kingsbury is hopeful that Johnson will play in Week 10 against the Buccaneers. 
• Cardinals signed LB Zach Brown. (NFLTR)
• Cardinals released RB Alfred Morris. (NFLTR)

Seahawks

• Seahawks HC Pete Carroll said of the decision to claim WR Josh Gordon: “He’s a unique talent. Next week we’ll take a look and see what he looks like.” (Curtis Crabtree)
• Carroll added: “I don’t know how he’s doing physically right now. We’ve heard he’s OK.” (Adam Jude)
• The Seattle Seahawks officially list S Quandre Diggs (hamstring), S Delano Hill (elbow), and DT Quinton Jefferson (oblique) as doubtful for Week 9.