49ers mailbag: Are rookie Moody’s kicking misses cause for concern?

Jake Moody missed both FG attempts in 49ers’ preseason loss to Raiders

SANTA CLARA – For the first time since the 49ers’ playoff win over Dallas in January, Levi’s Stadium will host a game this Saturday.

In preparation for the Denver Broncos’ preseason visit, we opened our mailbox of questions from 49ers faithful via social media:

Can the 49ers win with a rookie kicker on a Super Bowl-contending team that needs every win? (@diehard49ersfans)

It worked in 1994, when they last won a Super Bowl with rookie kicker Doug Brien, who was drafted in the third round like Jake Moody. Brien, by the way, did not attempt a field goal in the 1999 preseason opener (17-7 loss at Arizona). On Sunday, Moody missed both of his field goal attempts but converted an extra point.

Do you believe Brock will make one or two plays? (@matty_maff)

No, I expect Brock Purdy to sit out the preseason football farce. There’s also no need for a home-field cameo against the Broncos on Saturday or the Chargers the following Friday. Most importantly, in last week’s joint practices with the Raiders, Purdy received all first-team reps. His surgically repaired elbow was found to be in good enough condition for the 49ers to lift his restrictions, allowing him to practice three days in a row for the first time in his comeback.

Is the Niners’ lack of depth a cause for concern? (@griffin.dow)

Every year, this is a valid concern because the backups are, well, not as good as the starters. Instead of seeing the glass as half-empty, consider that no 49ers regular-season starters were injured during Sunday’s 34-7 loss in Vegas – because none played. Others received reps while avoiding injuries, and “that was very much the bright spot of the week,” Kyle Shanahan said.

When will Bosa sign his contract? (@my_ink_project_1988)

In an ode to your handle, Nick Bosa is expected to sign a contract before the season opener, so that deadline is still more than three weeks away — don’t panic just yet. The 49ers have not indicated whether they will levy a $40,000 daily fine or withhold $1 million for each preseason game missed, as permitted by the collective bargaining agreement for rookie contract no-shows.

Is Danny Gray out on Sunday? Is he in pain? (@tyler.pfibsen)

Gray was unable to participate in joint practices or the exhibition game on Sunday due to hip tightness. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw (hamstring), running back Elijah Mitchell (groin), and defensive linemen Robert Beal Jr. (hamstring) and Kalia Davis (hamstring) are all expected to practice this week. George Kittle (groin) will miss practice for the second week in a row.

Will we see Darrell Luter Jr. once he is released from PUP? (@jbati_8052)

Luter’s name was not mentioned by Shanahan in Monday’s health report, indicating that the fifth-round cornerback is still recovering from a hyperextended knee suffered in June. If the 49ers keep him on the PUP list for the rest of the season, he’ll be eligible to make his debut after four games.

Is there more of a running back rotation? (@romanfour0)

Jordan Mason and Ty Davis-Price should be the preseason workhorses for at least another game before Jeremy McNichols and Khalan Laborn take over. To put it another way, don’t bank on Christian McCaffrey or Mitchell seeing unnecessary action.