If the 49ers are going to make a run at the NFC West, they’re
going to have to do it without Frank Gore. Their do-everything back
sustained a fractured right hip early in a 27-6 victory over the
Arizona Cardinals on Monday night. A team spokesman did not put a
timeline Gore’s return, but the season appears to be over for the
49ers’ leading rusher.
GLENDALE, Ariz.
If the 49ers are going to make a run at the NFC West, they’re going to have to do it without Frank Gore.
Their do-everything back sustained a fractured right hip early in a 27-6 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Monday night. A team spokesman did not put a timeline Gore’s return, but the season appears to be over for the 49ers’ leading rusher.
Gore carried the ball twice after his injury before coming out for good with 5:11 to go in the first quarter. Even then, Gore lobbied coaches to go back in.
“We had to hide his helmet,” coach Mike Singletary said.
Only later did the 49ers learn the severity of the injury.
Now it appears the 49ers’ hopes of making a surge in the NFC West title chase hinge on Brian Westbrook, who came out of storage to deliver a vintage performance against the Cardinals. The two-time Pro Bowl selection shook off rust — and Arizona defenders — on his way to 136 yards in 23 carries.
“I never doubted myself,” Westbrook said. “I just never had the opportunity.”
Singletary said he needed to “see the film” to figure out how Gore got hurt. It is believed that the injury happened on a 1-yard loss on a second-and-10 play on the 49ers’ opening drive.
Gore tried to make a go of it later in the quarter — managing 9 and 5 yards on back-to-back carries (the second attempt was negated by a penalty). After that, his only contribution was giving advice to Westbrook.
“I saw him a couple of times on the sideline, and he gave me some ideas of what to do,” Westbrook said. “Frank is a competitor. He wants to be out there.”
Until Monday, the former Eagles star had only five catches and five carries this season. Thrust into action, Westbrook was able to take over Gore’s role as the center of the 49ers’ offensive universe.
Westbrook looked like a fresh-legged rookie as he changed direction with ease, burst through holes and read his blockers as if he had been playing in this system his entire career.
His electric running style looked familiar to rookie left tackle Anthony Davis.
“I used to choose the Eagles whenever I played Madden Football, just so I could be Brian Westbrook,” Davis said.
Westbrook got help from rookie Anthony Dixon (54 rushing yards) and Gore (52 before his early exit). All three backs enjoyed running behind an offensive line that was given the game ball for its dominating performance.
The question is whether that group — minus Gore — can keep the ball rolling as the 49ers head for a rough patch in their schedule. The team faces the Green Bay Packers on Sunday at Lambeau Field.
At least for a night, however, the 49ers could enjoy their return to relevance in the NFC West. At 4-7, the 49ers can talk, not unreasonably, about making a run in the division. They are one game out with five to play.
“We made a statement,” tight end Vernon Davis said.
Even without Gore, the 49ers offense rebounded from its wretched shutout loss to Tampa Bay eight days earlier.
They came out blazing, with help from their accommodating hosts. Arizona struggled from its opening snap, when quarterback Derek Anderson botched a handoff to Beanie Wells. Nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin pounced on the loose ball at the Arizona 38.
The 49ers’ ensuing scoring drive required only one play and seven seconds. Quarterback Troy Smith lofted an arcing spiral to Michael Crabtree, who made a diving catch in the back of the end zone.
Crabtree juggled the ball as he thudded to the turf, something the Cardinals apparently didn’t see in time. They chose not to issue a replay challenge, and the touchdown held up, giving the 49ers a 7-0 lead with 9:35 to play in the first quarter.
Anthony Dixon (1-yard run) and Westbrook (8-yard run) also scored early touchdowns as the 49ers built a 21-3 halftime lead.
After that, the 49ers defense did the rest. Arizona barely topped 200 total yards and had zero first downs on the ground. The Cardinals were 2 for 11 on third-down attempts.
“To say that I’m extremely disappointed would be an understatement,” Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt said. “It was a very poor effort, and we got beat in all phases of the game. The 49ers controlled the line of scrimmage, and that made it very difficult for us tonight.”
— Story by Daniel Brown, San Jose Mercury News
