The San Francisco 49ers got back on the winning track on Sunday, but the theme of the season thus far is still injuries.
The 49ers had already lost Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, and George Kittle for at least one game each thus far heading into Week 4. And in the 30-13 win over the New England Patriots, all-world linebacker Fred Warner exited early with an ankle injury.
With all these stars bouncing in and out of the lineup, the 49ers naturally needed an unexpected star to step up. Fortunately, on Sunday, one did just that.
Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave had been placed on injured reserve, likely ending his season, following a torn triceps suffered against the Los Angeles Rams. That cleared a path for sixth-year man Kevin Givens, who did not waste the opportunity.
Givens had 2.5 of the 49ers' six sacks against the Patriots, making it a career day for the 27-year-old. And 49ers insider Nick Wagoner of ESPN heaped praise upon Givens, making him the recipient of the "most surprising performance" of the week.
"After placing Hargrave on injured reserve this week, the Niners needed somebody on the interior to help fill that massive void," Wagoner said. "They turned to a combination of Jordan Elliott and Givens, which showed positive returns even if it was against a putrid Patriots offensive line. Givens was particularly effective rushing the passer with 2.5 sacks."
To say Sunday was a career day for Givens would be the understatement of the year. In 60 career games to that point, he had just 5.5 sacks. Now, he's set a career-high for the year just four games in, thanks to one previous sack in the 49ers' Week 2 loss in Minnesota.
With so many injuries on both sides of the ball, contributions like the one the 49ers got from Givens on Sunday will be crucial to keeping the season on track. San Francisco couldn't afford to lose against the lowly Patriots, and Givens helped ensure that wasn't a possibility.
Now, the only question remaining is whether Sunday's performance was a flash in the pan. Givens will have another chance to prove this surge is real when the 49ers host the Arizona Cardinals in just six days.
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