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

Cardinals

• Per Darren Urban of the team website, Cardinals GM Steve Keim said they would like to see RB David Johnson be more decisive: “Whether you make a mistake or not, you have to realize, as a football player, you have to make it full speed.”
• Johnson admitted that it’s been “tough” to have his role reduced in recent weeks: “It’s been rough. I just have to move past it.” (Darren Urban)
• As for what he’s been told about his role moving forward, Johnson said: “They haven’t told me anything. Just whenever I get in the game, be ready.”
• Cardinals HC Kliff Kingsbury said the team was looking at ways to get Johnson and RBs Kenyan Drake and Chase Edmonds all involved in the offense, including putting all three on the field at the same time: “We’ll start repping things, see what we like, what we don’t like & It’s on us to try and find a way to get three guys the ball that are all very talented and deserving of touches.” (Josh Weinfuss)
• Kingsbury mentioned they could still bring back CB Robert Alford from injured reserve this year. (Weinfuss)

49ers

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Brian Shulz called 49ers TE George Kittle “very tough” given he was able to play through a chipped bone in his left ankle and damage to the joint capsule in his left knee.

“I think it’s all over the map — even in professional athletes — people that can play with something like that that quickly versus people that won’t,” Schulz said, via Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. “I think that is a testament. He’s probably a very tough person. He’s probably feeling it. And he’s just able to play through it.”

Schulz describes that Kittle’s damaged knee capsule takes away some of his “function” but is “probably more of a pain thing.” 

“The capsule’s function is for stability,” Schulz said. “As it’s healing, it will take less force for him to have a similar type of injury. The muscles are probably strained back there as well. The muscles that span the joint are responsible for the dynamic control of how the joint moves. With a capsular injury you’re not really losing function. It’s probably more of a pain thing.”

• According to the Athletic’s Matt Barrows, the 49ers could save $9.7 million by releasing DE Dee Ford this offseason, $4.5 million by cutting RB Jerick McKinnon and $3.75 million from WR Marquise Goodwin.
• 49ers K Robbie Gould (quad) was cleared to return to practice Wednesday. (Eric Branch)
• The 49ers worked out Alex Barrett (signed) and Trevon Young on Wednesday. (Aaron Wilson)

Rams

• Per Stu Jackson of the team website, Rams HC Sean McVay said TE Gerald Everett should be day-to-day after tweaking his knee Monday night against the Ravens. 
• McVay added Rams OT Rob Havenstein has a chance to return this Sunday against the Cardinals from his knee injury.

Seahawks

• Per Pro Football Talk’s Curtis Crabtree, Seahawks HC Pete Carroll said the team is hopeful but unsure about DE Jadeveon Clowney‘s status this week: “We’re counting on him getting back but he’s still got to make it.”
• Carroll acknowledged Seahawks WR Tyler Lockett was probably still feeling the effects of his bruise last week against the Eagles: “He feels really good now.” (Brady Henderson)
• Carroll mentioned Seahawks DL Jarran Reed (ankle) will likely end up being a game-time decision. (Crabtree)