Mark Nzeocha

Another year, another trip to the IR for Jordan Reed. Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports (via Twitter) that the 49ers will put the veteran tight end on the short-term injured reserve.

The 30-year-old was briefly sidelined during this weekend’s win over the Giants with an ankle injury. Reed ended up returning to the field, but he subsequently sustained an MCL injury, leading to his placement on IR. Head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters that Reed will likely be back in six to eight weeks (via Maiocco on Twitter).

Reed considered retiring this past offseason after missing the 2019 campaign with a concussion (at least his seventh since the start of his collegiate career). Reed has struggled to stay on the field in recent years, but there’s no denying his talent. Between 2013 and 2018, Reed racked up 329 catches for 3,371 yards and 24 touchdowns for Washington, and that was despite missing 31 regular season games. The veteran caught on with the 49ers this offseason, and he hauled in 11 receptions for 85 yards and two scores through his first three games with San Francisco.

Reed joins a long list of 49ers players who have been sidelined thanks to injuries. Fortunately, there could be some good news on the way; the team is set to evaluate quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, tight end George Kittle, and running back Raheem Mostert on Wednesday (via Can Inman of the San Jose Mercury on Twitter).

Reed wasn’t the only 49ers player to land on IR today. ESPN’s Nick Wagoner reports (via Twitter) that linebacker Mark Nzeocha has also been placed on injured reserve with a quad injury. The veteran has spent the past four seasons with the 49ers, and he played in each of his team’s first three contests this season.

11 comments San Francisco 49ers Transactions Jordan Reed Mark Nzeocha

Mark Nzeocha To Re-Sign With 49ers

By Ben Levine | at March 15, 2019 3:36 pm

It sounds like Mark Nzeocha is heading back to San Francisco. Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports (via Twitter) that the linebacker intends to re-sign with the 49ers.

The 29-year-old spent that past two seasons with the Niners, appearing in 26 games between two seasons. The former seventh-rounder appeared in 16 games (three starts) last season, compiling 22 tackles, one sack, one pass defended, and one forced fumble. Nzeocha also led the 49ers with seven special-teams tackle. The linebacker didn’t play enough snaps to earn a spot on Pro Football Focus‘ positional rankings, but his pass-rushing ability received some praise.

Nzeocha will likely continue to have a special teams role in San Francisco, but he may occasionally see time at linebacker. He’ll have to compete with Dekoda Watson, Ryan Delaire, and free-agent addition David Mayo for backup reps.

We learned yesterday that Nzeocha met with the Bills.

0 comments San Francisco 49ers Transactions Mark Nzeocha

Free Agent Rumors: Seahawks, Texans, Bills

By Dallas Robinson | at March 14, 2019 8:48 pm

With the first wave of NFL free agency largely in the books, teams have begun hosting lesser-known options that remain on the market:

The Seahawks met with free agent defensive tackle Caraun Reid on Thursday, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link). The 27-year-old Reid has bounced around the league, but spent most of the 2018 campaign in Dallas, compiling 10 tackles and a half-sack on 28% playtime. Seattle lost defensive tackle Shamar Stephen in free agency, meaning the club is looking for depth behind Jarran Reed and Nazair Jones.
Wide receiver Jaydon Mickens visited with the Texans today, reports Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. Mickens is a wideout-in-name-only, as he’s garnered only six total receptions over his two-year career (all in 2017). Instead, Mickens is a core special-teamer, with a focus on punt returns. He handled 27 for Jacksonville last season, managing 10.6 yards per return with one touchdown. Houston is already one of the best return teams in the NFL, per Football Outsiders‘ metrics, and is bringing back DeAndre Carter, who split return duty last season.
The Bills hosted linebacker Mark Nzeocha on Thursday, per Yates (Twitter link). Like Mickens, Nzeocha is primarily a special teams player, topping 60% ST playtime in each of the past two years with the 49ers. But he saw a bit of action on defense in 2018, starting three games and playing on 13% of San Francisco’s defensive snaps. He’d give Buffalo depth at linebacker.

0 comments Buffalo Bills Houston Texans Seattle Seahawks Caraun Reid Jaydon Mickens Mark Nzeocha

NFC West Notes: Baldwin, Shields, 49ers

By Sam Robinson | at August 28, 2018 9:51 pm

Doug Baldwin is back at Seahawks practice after missing the preseason with a knee injury. As expected, Seattle’s top wide receiver plans on returning for Week 1, per the Associated Press. Baldwin may or may not have undergone a procedure for his sore left knee, the soon-to-be 30-year-old pass-catcher not denying an operation of some sort took place. The eighth-year Seahawk also expects to have to deal with knee pain this season, saying he’ll have to manage this issue throughout the year. The Seahawks are counting on Baldwin to reprise his role as Russell Wilson‘s favorite target, but while he was out, newcomers Jaron Brown and Brandon Marshall logged extensive first-team time. But Baldwin remains Seattle’s centerpiece receiver and a key veteran after so many on defense were jettisoned this offseason.

Here’s the latest from the NFC West:

Sam Shields‘ comeback attempt may clear a key barrier. The former Packers starter is on track to make the Rams‘ 53-man roster, Lindsay Thiry of ESPN.com writes. While he stands to be behind Los Angeles’ top three of Aqib Talib, Marcus Peters and Nickell Robey-Coleman, Shields making it back onto a roster would be a significant development considering how concussion issues nearly ended his career. The 30-year-old defender has not played since Week 1 of the 2016 season.
Under optimal circumstances, Mike Person may have been third in the running for the 49ers’ right guard job. Jonathan Cooper and Joshua Garnett are ex-first-rounders both are out-earning the 30-year-old UDFA who is attached to a league-minimum contract. But Person is the odds-on favorite to open the season with the starters, Kyle Shanahan said (via Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area, on Twitter). Despite Cooper’s one-year, $4.95MM contract, Person is competing to hold off Garnett, per Matt Barrows of The Athletic (on Twitter).
One of the 49ers’ Reuben Foster insurance policies may not make the roster. A 16-game Chargers starter between the 2016 and ’17 seasons, linebacker Korey Toomer is on the bubble going into the 49ers’ final preseason game, Barrows writes (subscription required). Foster’s return induced the 49ers to move Mark Nzeocha to outside ‘backer, where he has a chance to start, and Elijah Lee is also competing for a roster spot. Toomer may make the team’s initial 53-man roster, because of Foster’s two-game suspension, but Barrows notes he’s not a lock to be one of San Francisco’s backups this season.
Arthur Moats probably won’t be ready for the Cardinals’ regular-season opener because of an MCL issue.

3 comments Los Angeles Rams San Francisco 49ers Seattle Seahawks Doug Baldwin Joshua Garnett Korey Toomer Mark Nzeocha Mike Person Sam Shields

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