While Brian Hoyer has certainly struggled four games into the 2017 season, it’s “difficult to imagine” the 49ers making a change at quarterback in the near future, writes Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area. Hoyer ranks 30th in the NFL in both quarterback rating and adjusted net yards per attempt, but he’s extremely familiar with head coach Kyle Shanahan‘s offense. Given that San Francisco is not expected to seriously compete this season, Shanahan would rather have a signal-caller who effectively runs the gameplan than turn to third-round rookie C.J. Beathard, reasons Maiocco.
Here’s more from around the NFL:
- Despite signing a two-year, $5MM contract prior earlier this year, linebacker David Harris is still establishing his role with the Patriots, as Mike Reiss of ESPN.com details. Originally thought to be in consideration for a starting role, Harris has played all of seven snaps through four weeks. As Reiss opines, Harris is essentially being retained for his locker room leadership, as he doesn’t have a regular spot on defense or special teams. How long New England is willing to keep Harris on the active roster is an open question if his playing time doesn’t increase in the coming weeks.
- The Jaguars will be without starting center Brandon Linder when they face the Steelers on Sunday, as the club officially downgraded to out as he deals with an illness. Linder has lost a “significant” amount of weight because of said illness, tweets Hays Carlyon of 1010 XL, which could bode negatively for his return in the coming weeks. Without Linder available, Jacksonville will turn to Tyler Shatley, who started four games a season ago, at the pivot.
- Although Eric Ebron has only managed 11 receptions for 87 yards so far this season, the Lions aren’t likely to place him on the trade block in 2017, according to Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com. Detroit general manager Bob Quinn has shown a willingness to deal in past, but Ebron isn’t expected to be moved, and that’s partly due to his perceived upside. The Lions hold a $8.25MM option on Ebron in 2018, but the club could release instead of paying that tota.
You get the idea sometimes that teams just sign guys to tick off their former team, like Harris to NE.
How would that tick his former team off? He getting paid millions of dollars to not play, and he’s taking up the roster spot of someone that theoretically could