Here are five things that could decide the outcome of the home opener Sunday when the 49ers host the Detroit Lions.
Dealing with injuries
The 49ers will be without receiver Marquise Goodwin, who left last the loss last week in Minnesota with a deep thigh bruise. The speedster didn’t practice this week, indicating San Francisco might have to call on rookie Dante Pettis to provide the downfield element to Kyle Shanahan’s passing attack.
Pettis had a strong debut filling in for Goodwin against the Vikings, catching two passes for 61 yards, including an impressive 22-yard touchdown that kept the 49ers in the game.