Kurtenbach: The 49ers had their first look at this season’s toughest opponent (and no, it wasn’t the Rams)

49ers: After escaping from Week 1 with enviable health, the harsh reality of the NFL showed up in Week 2.

On Sunday, the 49ers faced a force that could prevent them from winning the Super Bowl this season.

No, it wasn’t their Week 2 opponent, the Los Angeles Rams.

It was due to injuries.

After escaping Week 1 in enviable shape, the harsh reality of the NFL surfaced in Week 2.

This season, the top-line talent of the San Francisco 49ers stands out from the rest of the league. And that top-line talent stands out among the 49ers’ roster.

Yes, the drop-off between star and reserve is always significant, but the 49ers have built deep rosters in the past under general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan. It was a successful strategy.

However, that is not how the 2023 team was assembled.

No, the gap between star and backup on this team is widening this season at several positions.

It’s enough to sink a season.

Wide receiver may be the position where the difference between the best and the rest is greatest.

That’s what made Brandon Aiyuk’s shoulder injury on the first series of the game and Deebo Samuel’s apparent back injury in the second half so concerning for San Francisco on Sunday. Both players are indispensable.

Both were able to return to the game, and Samuel recovered from his injury scare, but Aiyuk spent the majority of the game on the bench and was only targeted once in the second half.

While Shanahan stated, “I think he’ll be alright” for Thursday’s game against the Giants, that could be wishful thinking given the short week.

That’s because Aiyuk’s in-and-out replacement, rookie Ronnie Bell, had a positive impact on the game as a receiver on Sunday.

Going from Aiyuk, the NFC’s offensive player of the week in Week 1, to Bell, a solid prospect who isn’t quite ready for prime time, would severely hamper the Niners’ offense heading into Thursday’s prime-time game.

And it’d be a farce to imagine someone else playing the role of Samuel in this offense.

The 49ers must pray for health at wide receiver, tight end, and left tackle. Behind Aiyuk, Samuel, George Kittle, and Trent Williams, this team has no viable replacements, facsimiles, or plug-and-play options.

Saying “next man up” is just a coping mechanism — the absence of any of those offensive players could lead to a Niners loss.

(While Christian McCaffrey is the offense’s best player, he is supported by a capable, if less dynamic, backup in Elijah Mitchell.)

While most teams would abandon their Super Bowl hopes if their quarterback were injured, the Niners may be better protected (as they were last season) with Sam Darnold and Brandon Allen backing up Brock Purdy.

On defense, where injuries appear to be more common, both starting linebackers, Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw, are irreplaceable. The 49ers’ once-enviable linebacker depth is now dwindling — losing Warner or Greenlaw would significantly alter the defense. The absence of Nick Bosa would also be significant (despite his struggles this season). I’d also include free agent signing Javon Hargrave in that category: he’s unlocked the best from his defensive tackle position.

The Niners’ lack of depth on the bench isn’t a flaw; it’s a result of both the Niners’ roster-building strategies (retain elite players by paying them elite money) and the salary-cap era.

It’s also a result of missing on draft picks and trading away three first-round picks to get Trey Lance. To acquire McCaffrey, the Niners also traded second-, third-, and fourth-round draft picks in 2023.

At the very least, the Niners would make one of those trades again. I’ll leave it to you to figure out which one it is.

And, while the Niners have plenty of salary cap space this season, the truth is that they are built to rely on their best players to take them to the Super Bowl.

However, the Super Bowl isn’t until February, and football is a physical sport.

So the 49ers don’t have to worry about the Rams, Cowboys, or Eagles this season.

It’s the bug that causes injuries. For better or worse, it will define the Niners’ 2023 season.