The Philadelphia Eagles will be without Mychal KendricksSunday in San Francisco, who is the team's best linebacker in pass coverage. That leaves the team susceptible to opposing tight ends, but will the 49ers be healthy enough to take advantage?
Vernon Davis (ankle, knee) and Vance McDonald (knee) are both listed as questionable on the injury report, but McDonald told reporters Friday that he's playing. Davis' status is less certain. He participated in each practice this week on a limited basis, but he told reporters that he's still experiencing pain when he runs.
"I'm not sure yet," Davis said Friday, via the San Francisco Chronicle. "I just want to play it by ear and continue to work. Hopefully, I'll feel great come game day."
There has been a lot consternation about San Francisco's pass-wacky approach last week in Arizona, but the missing tight ends were a huge reason why. Davis and McDonald give offensive coordinator Greg Roman flexibility in his play calling. We've long considered Davis underrated, even though he's widely recognized as one of the game's best. Outside of Colin Kaepernick, he's the guy that makes the 49ers offense go. He's the biggest matchup problem on the team because of his speed and his run-blocking ability.
The 49ers badly need to beat Philadelphia on Sunday, and Davis' availability is one of the biggest X-factors. Running backs Frank Gore and Carlos Hyde missed Davis last week just as much as Kaepernick.
*We preview and pick every Week 4 game in the latest Around the NFL Podcast. *
