SANTA CLARA – The 49ers moved practice later, closer to Saturday’s 5:15 p.m. PT start, and they worked out of their usual training grounds under the lights of Levi’s Stadium.
However, nothing can repeat what awaits them in Green Bay.
“The Lambo is going to be amazing,” tight end George Kittle said. “Historic stadium. Haven’t played there since 2018. Very happy to go there.
“This is truly a dream come true so looking forward to playing playoff night at Lambeau, 0 degrees. I mean, what more could you want?”
Well, obviously an embarrassing win is on the wish list for the 49ers, who have won back-to-back knockout games and will then try to upset the top-seeded Packers on their home tundra.
Jimmy Garoppolo looks set to make his debut at Lambo Field. On Wednesday, he was training due to shoulder and thumb injuries, throwing with a zip and showing no signs of pain. He’s just as excited as his teammates about what’s next.
The 49ers can’t afford to be overwhelmed by the iconic scene. Their 2013 team was definitely not going to win in Lambo (5 degrees at the start of the match).
Winning indoors in the climate controlled conditions of Los Angeles and Dallas should actually have some carryover effect. He introduced high-stakes football to players who were not on the 2019 49ers Super Bowl team, such as running back Elijah Mitchell and wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings.
“I didn’t see anyone wince,” Kittle added.
Ayuk, a 2020 first-round pick, admitted the atmosphere at AT&T Stadium was amazing, as was the week leading up to his 23-17 playoff debut.
Wide receivers coach Wes Welker briefed Aiyuk and others this week on what to expect at the venerable Lambo Field, which opened in 1957. Adding to Aiyuk’s “amazing” expectations is the rivalry between the 49ers and Packers and the challenge facing reigning NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers. .
“We already know that the atmosphere will be very exciting. But football is football,” said Aiyuk. “I have not yet gone to the stadium where I was amazed. But I look around, take it all in, and worry. I stay where my feet are, look around, enjoy it and just go play football.”
Kittle recommends playing rather than sitting on a heated bench to overcome projected single-digit temperatures and sub-zero winds. Kittle recalled playing in sub-zero conditions at Iowa, shivering on the touchline like a skinny freshman without a coat or long sleeves, “trembling, not trying to get frostbite.”
“If you’re on the field, you warm up pretty quickly,” Kittle added.
BOS UPDATE
Quarterback Nick Boza came to practice with a helmet in his hand three days after the concussion and was officially registered as “restricted,” a positive sign of progress on the NFL’s recovery protocol. “Nick, he’s fine and he’s following protocol,” defense coordinator DeMeco Ryans said. “Hopefully by the end of the week he will be fine. We definitely need him.”
Fellow defenseman Jordan Willis (sprained ankle), cornerback Embry Thomas (bruised knee) and linebacker Marcell Harris (Achilles) were also limited. Everyone else was a full member, including Garoppolo, running back Elijah Mitchell (knee) and linebackers Fred Warner (ankle), Dre Greenlaw (groin) and Aziz Al-Shaire (knee).
Boza actually returned to training with a helmet in his hand, did not perform Dline exercises. The official list of participants will appear around 18:00. pic.twitter.com/xSPAwfg19T
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) January 20, 2022
GAROPPOLO WATCH
Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel noted that it would be like “teeth pulling” to stop Garoppolo from doing his best to play through “bump and bruise”. As for the pre-workout plan for Garoppolo: “Not too worried. If I can read a crystal ball, which I am not, then I expect him to throw the ball today,” McDaniel said.
Indeed, Garoppolo directed the quarterbacks’ practice and went through his usual warm-up routine, although conditions were more cramped as the entire team shared the field rather than practicing on their two pitches next to the stadium.
“With his thumb, he could tap and say, ‘Hey, I can’t walk guys on my own anymore. But he didn’t, Kittle said. “He took a week off, came back and has been playing at a very high level ever since. This is what you appreciate about him. He doesn’t give up, he keeps training and constantly leads this team to wins and gives us the opportunity to play more football.”
#49ers Jimmy Garoppolo throws with a zip, no sign of pain despite a sprained shoulder and thumb. I have no doubt that he starts with #Packers Saturday night at #NFL Playoffs pic.twitter.com/66q8SO34JC
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) January 20, 2022
WEEK 3 LESSONS
Was there anything good about us losing the lead in the last 37 seconds and losing to the Packers in Game 1? Ryan says so.
“I’m glad that Week 3, a key moment in our season, allowed our guys to change and change,” Ryans said. “Defensively, the guys have more ball possession and we have to put the team on the back and play when it’s time to play.”
They missed two key games on September 26, when Aaron Rodgers found Davante Adams to complete 25 and 17 yards to set up a Packers field goal. A four-game losing streak followed for the 49ers.
“He has incredible shots,” Ryans said. “You understand why he is the best, one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. You also see where we can be better defensively and we are a lot better defensively than we were then.”
INTERVIEW FOR A JOB
Neither McDaniel nor Ryans have stated when they will interview the Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings, respectively; Both were reportedly scheduled to be interviewed on Wednesday.
McDaniel said of the Dolphins’ interest, “Something is planned. Hasn’t happened yet. As a coach, you feel some anxiety if something distracts you from work, because it is already difficult to win. Your teammates are counting on you. Because of my dedication to my job and my teammates, it wasn’t on my mind.”
Ryans, year one defense coordinator, echoed the theme, saying of his interview with the Vikings, “We’ll get to that in the next couple of days. The focus for me is on the Packers.”
49ERS Vs. TEXASANTS
Quarterback Charles Omeniha, in his first press session since being traded from Houston on Nov. 2, was asked to compare the thriving 49ers in the playoffs to the faltering Texans.
“There’s a lot more structure here,” Omenihu began. “Leadership between a coach and a general manager is not like a power struggle. They are on the same page. They have an understanding of what they want. They make it very clear what they want, from the CEO to the head coach and position coaches. This is not a circus show.”
Omenihu cost the 49ers in the 2023 round six. He produced 1 1/2 sacks on Sunday after Nick Boza walked away with a concussion before the break.
PACKER INJURY REPORT
Left tackle David Bakhtiari, a Serra Hi-San Mateo product, returned to training on Wednesday in a limited role. He played 27 snaps, making his season debut in the regular season finale against Detroit.
Wide receiver Marques Marques Valdes-Scantling (rear) and tight end Marcedes Lewis did not practice. Cornerback Jare Alexander (shoulder) was restricted. Everyone else was a full member, including Rodgers (sock), linebacker De’Vondre Campbell (elbow), running back Aaron Jones (knee), forward Billy Turner (knee).