Many unhappy returns: Kickoffs another issue for 49ers
The 49ers’ offense is ranked 32nd in the NFL, their defense is ranked 27th and, well, their special teams isn’t doing so hot, either. The 49ers rank 30th in the league in yards per return (17.5) and they have lost fumbles in their past two games that have set up short scoring drives. On Sunday, in a 45-16 loss to the Bills, wide receiver Keshawn Martin lost a fumble in the fourth quarter that led to a 27-yard touchdown drive and a 38-16 lead. In Week 5, in a 33-21 loss to the Cardinals, cornerback Chris Davis lost a fumble in the third quarter that led to a 14-yard touchdown drive and a 14-7 lead for Arizona. Davis, who has six of the 49ers’ 13 returns, was the primary kickoff return before he sustained a season-ending knee injury in Week 5.