Follow us:

Biggest surprise: WR Deebo Samuel

Why it's a surprise: Samuel showed up to training camp leaner, healthier and a more well-rounded receiver. He looked poised for a big season, but even the biggest Samuel believers probably didn't see this coming. Four games in, Samuel is first in the NFL in receiving yards (490) and yards after catch (266) and fifth in yards per reception (17.5). His 490 receiving yards through four games is the second-most by a Niner behind only Jerry Rice's 522 in 1995. -- Nick Wagoner

Jimmy Garoppolo is dealing with yet another injury, this time a calf contusion, and Kyle Shanahan will once again spend the week fielding questions about the quarterback position. Trey Lance delivered an uneven performance in Sunday's loss to the Seahawks, but his athleticism and playmaking ability might be San Francisco's best shot, with a showdown against Kyler Murray and the high-flying Cardinals up next. The Niners' offense seems stuck in a rut with Garoppolo behind center -- that remained the case in Jimmy G's two quarters against a Seattle defense that was hemorrhaging yardage and points before Sunday. If Shanahan decides now is the time to pull the trigger and move to the kid, the decision will be justified.

There is a chance Trey Lance starts for Jimmy Garoppolo in this one. Whoever starts, this is a big game in terms of the division race.

They were 2-0 five minutes ago. Now their quarterback is hurt, their kicker is hurt, and Niners are in danger of losing sight of division-leading Cardinals if they buckle again in desert this Sunday.

Trey Lance got his first extended playing time in Week 4 after Jimmy Garoppolo injured his calf late in the first half of the game. Lance threw two touchdowns, but he completed only nine of his 18 passing attempts. He'll need to settle down a bit if he's indeed the starter against the Cardinals. We know eventually he'll be the 49ers' starter, but maybe Kyle Shanahan was right that Lance isn't quite ready yet?