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San Francisco 49ers: 5 Players to watch vs. Chargers in Week 4

By Nicholas McGee

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - AUGUST 25: C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers throws a pass against the Indianapolis Colts in the third quarter of a preseason game at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 25, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - AUGUST 25: C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers throws a pass against the Indianapolis Colts in the third quarter of a preseason game at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 25, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MO – SEPTEMBER 23: Matt Breida #22 of the San Francisco 49ers runs around the outside edge during the third quarter of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Arrowhead Stadium on September 23rd, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – SEPTEMBER 23: Matt Breida #22 of the San Francisco 49ers runs around the outside edge during the third quarter of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Arrowhead Stadium on September 23rd, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /

Matt Breida

Breida has been dominant the last two weeks, his 90-yard performance in Kansas City maintaining his position as the NFL’s leading rusher, and he could be in line for a bump in usage in the passing game providing he is healthy enough to play on Sunday.

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According to Pro Football Focus, Beathard targeted running backs on 35.8 percent of snaps in his five starts last year. Garoppolo, by contrast, has targeted backs 23.4 percent of the time in his 49ers career. Beathard can therefore be expected to continually look for Breida as a receiver out of the backfield, but whether he will be able to do so right off the bat is in doubt.

Breida hyperextended his knee against the Chiefs and said, per the San Jose Mercury News, that he is not 100 percent and will be a game-time decision. If he is unable to go, then Alfred Morris — also listed as questionable with a knee injury — and Raheem Mostert will see increased work. However, if Breida is able to play, then he will arguably be the focal point of the attack with Beathard under center.

George Kittle

Kittle has appeared primed for a breakout campaign in the opening weeks of the season. Though drops have prevented him from having an even greater impact, Kittle already has 191 yards on 12 catches, averaging 15.9 yards per reception. Having played collegiately with Beathard at Iowa, Kittle still figures to be a prominent part of the passing game in Garoppolo’s absence, but faces a stiff test in Los Angeles.

The Chargers rank second in Football Outsiders DVOA at defending tight ends, giving up only 29 yards per game. Kittle’s ability to avoid being shut down in the same manner will be key in determining the Niners fortunes on offense.