NFC West Notes: 49ers, Rams, Seahawks

49ers

49ers RB Raheem Mostert said he has added 5-10 pounds of muscle this offseason and is hopeful that will help increase his workload in 2020. 

“I’m actually gaining some more muscle, which is kind of bizarre,” Mostert said, via Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. “I’m just trying to incorporate those things in my daily workouts so I’m able to take those hits and be one of those guys that are getting 200 carries. I’ve got to get prepared for that. And the only way I know how is to get bulky and stronger.”

Mostert said he wants to be a “multi-dimensional” running back in catching passes out of the backfield and potentially lining up as a slot receiver. 

“I want to be multi-dimensional and being able to catch the ball out of the backfield is one thing that I really pride myself on,” Mostert said. “Even lining up in the slot position. … Just trying to get back to my wide receiver days.”

Rams

According to new Rams DC Brandon Staley, there will be “an open competition” at inside linebacker this year between Troy Reeder, Travin Howard, Kenny Young and Micah Kiser after Cory Littleton departed in free agency.

“I think it’s competitive. You’ve got to let things play out. Inside linebacker, in particular, there aren’t very many guys that have played a lot of football there, so that’s going to be an open competition,” Staley said, via Ramswire.com. “You’ve gotten glimpses of those guys. Troy Reeder, T-Howard and Kenny Young, you’ve gotten glimpses of them as pro players. I know we have high regard for Micah Kiser within our building. He had that unfortunate injury in the preseason. We’ve just got to let the position sort itself out when things go live.”

Staley added that the same goes for the outside linebacker position. 

“On the edge, excited to add Leonard and Terrell Lewis. And then you’ve got Obo and Samson, Jachai Polite, Natrez Patrick, Justin Lawler – those guys will be fighting for positions,” Staley said.

Seahawks

• According to Mike Silver, Seahawks’ new RB Carlos Hyde underwent surgery to repair a torn shoulder labrum back in February after playing through the injury last season, until worsening the issue during the Texans’ playoff loss to the Chiefs. 
• Former NFL physician David J. Chao notes that it is not unusual for running backs to play through torn labrums and Hyde is expected to be fully recovered in time for the 2020 regular season.