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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: Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs stretches to make a catch in front of Reuben Foster #56 of the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter of the game at Arrowhead Stadium on September 23rd, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – SEPTEMBER 23: Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs stretches to make a catch in front of Reuben Foster #56 of the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter of the game at Arrowhead Stadium on September 23rd, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /

Reuben Foster

Foster’s return to the lineup from suspension last week was a nightmare one as the 49ers defense was shredded by Patrick Mahomes. His debut playing alongside impressive rookie Fred Warner did not go at all to plan as miscommunications between the two provided unnecessary help Kansas City’s cause, while Foster also missed six tackles, according to Chris Biderman of The Sacramento Bee.

The Chargers vast talent at receiver should see the 49ers facing a lot of four-wide formations, meaning Foster may frequently find himself matched up with wideouts.

Coverage breakdowns like the ones the 49ers endured against the Chiefs cannot be afforded, and Foster will also have to display a distinct improvement as a tackler as he takes on Chargers tailback Melvin Gordon. For the 49ers to have any hope of being competitive in this one, the defense has to play significantly better. There is perhaps no player more important to them doing so than Foster.

Jimmie Ward

Richard Sherman will be watching from the sideline on Sunday due to a calf injury, placing the emphasis on two corners who have failed to produce so far this season to find their feet. Ahkello Witherspoon will need a drastic turnaround after what has been a dismal start to what many expected to be his breakout year, but the greater spotlight will be on Jimmie Ward as he fills in for Sherman on the boundary.

Ward came in from Witherspoon when he was benched late in San Francisco’s near-meltdown in the Week 2 win over the Detroit Lions and got the start ahead of him last week. His performances were similarly uninspired and Ward left the Kansas City game with cramps.

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Spotty play and an overall lack of durability have blighted the career of the versatile Ward, who is making $8 million in this the final year of his contract. With Sherman only expected to be out a couple of weeks and the Niners not tied to Ward beyond the end of the year, this may be the last chance for him to prove he can be of value to the Niners.

Should he fail, San Francisco could soon instead to decide to give their younger options in the secondary opportunities ahead of the former first-rounder.