Charlotte 49ers lose footing in second half against Rice

CHARLOTTE ATHLETICS

The Charlotte 49ers' injury list grew in Thursday's 28-17 loss to Rice at Jerry Richardson Stadium with quarterback Conner Harrell leaving with a leg injury in the second quarter.

The high of the first win of the season for Charlotte was quickly diminished by Rice. 

Charlotte (1-3, 0-1 American) kept it close with the Owls (3-1, 1-0) in a 28-17 loss until quarterback Conner Harrell was knocked out of the game in the second quarter. 

“It’s a lower leg injury,” 49ers’ coach Tim Albin said after the game about Harrell’s injury. “I’m sure we’ll get an MRI and go from there. It was unfortunate, because it was a really good play call by Todd [Fitch, the offensive coordinator]. We blocked it well. Got a big first down on third and long and [Harrell] runs into an equipment table on the sideline. [J’Quirous Conley] hit the same thing two series before. I didn’t say anything because it was behind the line legally but that is what he ran into. It is nobody’s fault; he just happened to [sustain] an injury off of it.”

Second string quarterback Grayson Loftis wasn’t great but managed a few solid plays. He finished 15-for-31 passing for 186 yards and one touchdown. With Harrell’s status up in the air, Albin wouldn’t commit to a starter if he can’t go. 

Running back Rod Gainey Jr. had eight carries for 51 yards for the 49ers despite what appeared to be a hamstring injury. 

“We need to keep trying to find ways to get the ball in the hands of Rod,” Albin said. “Now he's banged up but [wide receiver] Sean Brown's back. He battled back and got back playing in this ball game and had some big catches for us. That excites me, because you got E. Jai [Mason] and Javen [Nicolas]. Javen is a warrior. He battles and fights, and that inspires me. Our staff and this team, we're going to keep on.”

Running back C.J. Stokes managed just three carries for minus-1 yard, dropped a pass and fumbled once. A running back room that before the summer was the deepest room the 49ers arguably had, is getting thinner by the week. Henry Rutledge’s status is still in question, but it doesn’t sound optimistic.

“I should know something this week,” Albin said. “I have not met with him and his family yet on [whether to] rehab it and come back or have surgery and that is where it is at. So, that is what I know and that’s just the truth. There are coaches out there that say, ‘I don’t discuss injuries.’ That goes on all the time. There is a time and a place for that kind of stuff, but Henry is a little bit different with what he is facing, so I don’t mind talking about it.”

The 49ers, who were 8-for-18 on third down conversions, faced an average distance of more than 9 yards per chance. It means several things: They had a lot of third down tries and were hamstrung due to distance. 

“I thought at halftime we were in a great spot,” Albin said. “We just couldn't get anything going in the second half. And that stat [of the third down and distance], we're not going to win a lot of games if it's like that, I’ll tell you that.”

Charlotte has 10 days off before their next game against South Florida, who has already knocked off a pair of top 25 ranked teams in Florida and Boise State. It will be by far the toughest opponent the 49ers have faced, and Albin is hoping the days off will be beneficial.

“We're going to do our routine,” he said. “They’re going to be in class …and we’ll get back at it with film review on Monday and practice on Tuesday. We’re taking our show on the road to one of the best teams in the league in South Florida, and a hot team I’d say, right now. So, we’re going to have to piece things together on some injuries and see where we’re at.”

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