The glaring losses of Jimmy Garoppolo and Jerick McKinnon have masked the dramatic impact of another missing cog on the San Francisco 49ers offense: Marquise Goodwin.
Goodwin has played in just fragments of three games this season while posting a mere five receptions for 54 yards. That's because he's been slowed by quad and hamstring injuries that stemmed from a blindside hit to his legs in the first half of Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings. Goodwin tried to come back in that game, but couldn't make it happen. He played sparingly in Week 3 and caught a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs. Goodwin also saw reps against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4 before reinjuring his leg.
Now he's staring down a Week 6 return against the Green Bay Packers at a time when the 49ers are desperate to get him back. Goodwin practiced in full on Thursday, and, fingers crossed, could be all systems go on Monday night.
"Defenses definitely have to game plan for having a guy like Marquise in there," Kyle Shanahan said on Thursday. "It changes your offense a little bit and what you want to do as a scheme, for sure. So, it'll be nice to have him back this week."
Goodwin joked that San Francisco's medical staff had to cut his injured leg off and sew a new one back on. His humor was quickly replaced by the excruciating reality of what he's endured through the first quarter of the season.
Check out photos from the 49ers previous meetings against the Green Bay Packers.
Roland Lakes sacks Bart Starr in the Packers 13-0 win in Nov. 1967.
John Brodie escapes Jim Weatherwax in Nov. 1967.
Charles Haley sacks Don Majkowski in Nov. 1989.
Ronnie Lott tackles Brent Fullwood in Nov. 1989.
Mike Cofer attempts a field goal.
Joe Montana talks with Tim Harris during the Packers 21-17 win in Nov. 1989.
Joe Montana throws a pass during the Packers 21-17 win in Nov. 1989.
Ronnie Lott runs back a fumble.
Doug Evans (left) breaks up a pass intended for John Taylor during the Packers 27-17 win in the 1995 NFC Divisional playoffs.
Merton Hanks during the Packers 27-17 win in the 1995 NFC Divisional playoffs.
Jerry Rice breaks away from Wayne Simmons during the Packers 27-17 win in the 1995 NFC Divisional playoffs.
J.J. Stokes during the Packers 27-17 win in the 1995 NFC Divisional playoffs.
Brent Jones during the Packers 27-17 win in the 1995 NFC Divisional playoffs.
Steve Young during the Packers 27-17 win in the 1995 NFC Divisional playoffs.
Steve Young and Jim McMahon during the 1995 NFC Divisional playoff game.
Lee Woodall and Mark Chmura tussle during the Packers 35-14 win in the 1996 NFC Divisional playoffs.
Brett Favre and Tim McDonald embrace after the Packers 35-14 win in the 1996 NFC Divisional playoffs.
Antonio Freeman and Tyronne Drakeford battle during the Packers 23-10 win in the 1997 NFC Championship Game.
Steve Young during the Packers 23-10 win in the 1997 NFC Championship Game.
Steve Young in the Packers' 23-10 win in the 1997 NFC Championship Game.
Terrell Owens during the 49ers 30-27 win in the 1998 NFC Championship Wild Card game.
Kevan Barlow during in Dec. 2002.
Jeff Garcia during the Packers 20-14 win in Dec. 2002.
Terrell Owens during the Packers 20-14 win in Dec. 2002.
Andre Carter rushes Brett Favre in Nov. 2003.
Terrell Owens in Nov. 2003.
Alex Smith completes a pass in Dec. 2006.
Delanie Walker during the Packers 30-19 win in Dec. 2006.
Frank Gore breaks tackles in Dec. 2006.
Vernon Davis during the Packers 30-19 win in Dec. 2006.
James Jones and Tarell Brown at Lambeau Field in Nov. 2009.
Michael Crabtree gets a first down in Nov. 2009.
Justin Smith rushes Aaron Rodgers in Nov. 2009.
Patrick Willis during the Packers 30-24 win in Nov. 2009.
Vernon Davis during the Packers 34-16 win in Dec. 2010.
Frank Gore during the 49ers 30-22 win in Sept. 2012.
Alex Smith and Aaron Rogers talk after the 49ers 30-22 win in Sept. 2012.
Michael Crabtree during the 49ers 45-31 win in the 2012 NFC Divisional playoffs.
Mike Iupati during the 49ers 45-31 win in the 2012 NFC Divisional playoffs.
Colin Kaepernick during the 49ers 45-31 win in the 2012 NFC Divisional playoffs.
Patrick Willis during the 49ers 45-31 win in the 2012 NFC Divisional playoffs.
Colin Kaepernick during the 49ers 45-31 win in the 2012 NFC Divisional playoffs.
Vernon Davis during the 49ers 45-31 win in the 2012 NFC Divisional playoffs.
Anquan Boldin during the 49ers 34-28 win in the 2013 regular season opener.
Anquan Boldin during the 49ers 34-28 win in the 2013 regular season opener.
Alex Boone during the 49ers 34-28 win in the 2013 regular season opener.
Anthony Davis during the 49ers 34-28 win in the 2013 regular season opener.
NaVorro Bowman during the 49ers 34-28 win in the 2013 regular season opener.
Tarell Brown recovers a fumble during the 49ers 34-28 win in the 2013 regular season opener.
Mike Iupati and Colin Kaepernick during the 49ers 34-28 win in the 2013 regular season opener.
Eric Reid during the 49ers 34-28 win in the 2013 regular season opener.
Jonathan Goodwin during the 49ers 34-28 win in the 2013 regular season opener.
Patrick Willis during the 49ers 34-28 win in the 2013 regular season opener.
Vernon Davis during the 49ers 34-28 win in the 2013 regular season opener.
Anquan Boldin during the 2013 NFC Divisional Round victory.
Colin Kaepernick during the 2013 NFC Divisional Round victory.
Perrish Cox runs the ball during the 49ers 2013 regular season opener.
NaVorro Bowman lines up during in Sept. 2013.
Tramaine Brock during the 2013 NFC Divisional Round victory.
Michael Crabtree during the 2013 NFC Divisional Round victory.
Vernon Davis scores against the Packers defense in Oct. 2015.
Vernon Davis during the 2013 NFC Divisional Round victory in 2013.
Frank Gore during the 2013 NFC Divisional Round victory.
Colin Kaepernick during the 2013 NFC Divisional Round victory.
Colin Kaepernick during the 2013 NFC Divisional Round victory.
Justin Smith during during the 2013 NFC Divisional Round victory.
"It's pretty painful," Goodwin said. "Just imagine you're walking down the street, a pedestrian, and you've got the walk signal on, but a car just comes and rams you right in the leg."
San Francisco hopes that the worst is behind Goodwin, and that he'll reemerge as a potent weapon in Kyle Shanahan's offense. That would be a welcomed sight for C.J. Beathard and Co. as no 49ers receiver has topped 61 yards in a game yet this season.
Beathard and Goodwin had plenty of time to build rapport in 2017 during the quarterback's five starts last season. Although Goodwin's biggest games came with Jimmy Garoppolo under center, his 83-yard touchdown reception came from Beathard's arm.
"We've just got to get some timing down," Goodwin said. "We got a lot of reps last year together. There's nothing that different. It's just about execution and timing."
Goodwin's highly-anticipated return will take place at Lambeau Field. The primetime matchup on one of football's most hallowed grounds will provide Goodwin with the perfect stage to reestablish himself as a top playmaker in San Francisco.
"I always wanted to play there, and now I'll have that opportunity on Monday night," Goodwin said. "The lights will be on, and we'll be going against a great team. I just look forward to the game."
