49ers defense has another threat to deal with after Lions roster move
The San Francisco 49ers' defense did just enough to secure a divisional round victory over the Green Bay Packers, holding an offense blessed with a host of young and dynamic playmakers and an emerging star at quarterback to just 21 points. In the NFC Championship Game, the 49ers will face another offense that features a […]
The San Francisco 49ers' defense did just enough to secure a divisional round victory over the Green Bay Packers, holding an offense blessed with a host of young and dynamic playmakers and an emerging star at quarterback to just 21 points.
In the NFC Championship Game, the 49ers will face another offense that features a multitude of threats in that of the Detroit Lions, which added another to its ranks on Monday.
The Lions, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, are signing three-time Pro Bowl tight end Zach Ertz, having lost backup Brock Wright to a forearm injury.
He will initially link up with Detroit's practice squad, but it is likely he will be activated for the NFC Championship Game.
Ertz will join a group of skill-position weapons that includes All-Pro Amon-Ra St. Brown, two tremendous rookies in tight end Sam LaPorta and running back Jahmyr Gibbs and a second-year speedster in Jameson Williams.
His addition offers an intriguing subplot to a compelling matchup. Ertz was connected with the 49ers following his release by the Arizona Cardinals earlier in the season and is a Bay Area native who grew up in Danville, CA and then spent his college career at Stanford, just 13 miles from the Niners' Levi's Stadium home.
With the Lions quarterbacked by another Bay Area native, and boyhood 49ers fan, Jared Goff, San Francisco will go up against two local products looking to break the hearts of the Niners.
With under a week in which to absorb the Detroit offense, it is debatable how much of an impact Ertz can have on the game, but his presence is another element for the 49ers to factor in to a defensive gameplan they must get to right to help ensure it is they who progress to Super Bowl 58.
49ers have familiar status for NFC Championship Game
Faith in them remains high.
