Jason Verrett

Verrett's season-ending Achilles injury was a gut punch to the 49ers' locker, but the team has a game versus the Chargers looming.

Samuel, Kittle, Juszczyk, [Brandon Aiyuk](https://theathletic.com/nfl/player/brandon-aiyuk-53v7fOffjiSNI8Y9/) and [Jauan Jennings](https://theathletic.com/nfl/player/jauan-jennings-lHyALtoXdwgWGsr0/) are just some of the weapons that’ll operate alongside McCaffrey in this 49ers’ offense. Receivers [Mike Williams](https://theathletic.com/nfl/player/mike-williams-ML1CWh5B5qxLiF5o/)and [Keenan Allen](https://theathletic.com/nfl/player/keenan-allen-XGV9gVOFefUVWSHi/)also won’t play. [Justin Herbert](https://theathletic.com/nfl/player/justin-herbert-9NHrY7HxyKCR40Kh/), might be reliant on the Ekeler screen game with both Williams and Allen, two of his top downfield targets, possibly out of this game. Jackson](https://theathletic.com/nfl/player/jc-jackson-KNfCgkxTXmkIepOr/)are both on IR. [Christian McCaffrey](https://theathletic.com/nfl/player/christian-mccaffrey-FSp2bTsEwxXRf1oa/)’s presence as an outlet option for Garoppolo might again come in handy. [Joey Bosa](https://theathletic.com/nfl/player/joey-bosa-eLTwiCgxw8h3F6LN/)and big-money cornerback [J.C. “(Atlanta was) running the ball up and down the field, but then when they needed it the most, they had two negative runs,” Kittle said. [49ers](https://theathletic.com/nfl/team/niners/) exited their bye week in a buoyant mood. They hadn’t suffered a single injury in the romp over the [Rams](https://theathletic.com/nfl/team/rams/) to close the season’s first half. [Jason Verrett](https://theathletic.com/nfl/player/jason-verrett-6RbF5fcl8fOJFo2Y/) might’ve been the poster child of this newfound energy. He’d previously also torn both of his ACLs and the labrum in both of his shoulders. Verrett’s return to the lineup seemed imminent and the timing also lined up pristinely because the 49ers are hosting his former team — the [Chargers](https://theathletic.com/nfl/team/chargers/) — on Sunday night.