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San Francisco 49ers can still beat Baltimore Ravens with Carlos Hyde injury

By Brian Spaen

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The San Francisco 49ers are hoping to end a four-game losing skid when they welcome in the Baltimore Ravens, who also post the same 1-4 record. This matchup has really lost its luster from recent years. Formerly dubbed the “Harbowl,” it’s now become the “Har-sula…Bowl.” Chances may not be good with reports of one of the 49ers’ best offensive weapons being injured, but the team can still grab a victory if he can’t go.

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Carlos Hyde missed Wednesday’s practice and left Thursday’s practice with an apparent foot injury. Jim Tomsula downplayed the injury, expecting him to play, but deeper analysis was given by offensive coordinator Geep Chryst. There might be a plan to rest Hyde throughout the week so he can go at full strength on Sundays.

Chryst compared the injury to Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart. He wouldn’t say for sure if Hyde was going to play, but they would play the injury out like they did with Stewart. David Fucillo of Niners Nation reached out to a Panthers blogger for more information about Stewart’s injury, and it was lingering foot problems that he eventually got surgery on.

"Stewart carried foot injuries from his final year at Oregon. Every year he’d miss most of camp with foot injuries, then play the season and be totally fine. Finally in 2010 he decided to have off-season surgery to get it corrected once and for all."

The good news is that it’s something Hyde can play with. However, that could impact his effectiveness. That turns more into bad news considering Reggie Bush is still dealing with a calf strain. The team may have to rely on Jarryd Hayne if Hyde can’t go.

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However, if the 49ers couldn’t go with their lead running back, this is a good week not to. Similar to the New York Giants, the Ravens are much stronger at stopping the run than they are the pass. Looking at the results last week, that kind of matchup made Colin Kaepernick look like an NFL starter once again with 262 passing yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.

It would be a bummer without Hyde considering he still looked good against a stout Giants defensive line. He reeled in 93 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries against a defense that gives up just 80.6 yards on the ground per game (second in the league).

In comparison, the Ravens rank 14th in the league giving up 108 yards per game. Perhaps using the tandem of a limited Hyde and giving Kaepernick more plays to use his legs will be enough to have enough success on the ground.

Oct 11, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) throws the ball against the New York Giants in the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Ultimately, this game will be placed on the shoulders of Kaepernick’s arm again. The Ravens are close to the 49ers in having some of the worst passing defense in the league, giving up 278 yards per game and nine touchdowns.

One thing the 49ers offensive line will have to worry about is sacks. They gave up two more last week, and the Ravens have recorded 15 on the season.

Hyde playing or not shouldn’t impact the game in a huge way. It will be more about whether Kaepernick can find any sort of passing consistency in a beginning that made fans question if he should remain the starting signal caller.

Next: Jim Harbaugh left San Francisco 49ers at right time

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