49ers fast start becomes a necessity as absurd storyline wreaks havoc

The victories the 49ers stacked up over the first six weeks of the season always figured to come in handy.They just hoped they wouldn’t have to start leaning on them quite so soon.But with their injury list growing and their unbeaten start ending Sunday with a 29-20 loss to the Falcons, the cushion they created is beginning to look less like a luxury and more like a necessity.At 6-1, the 49ers have earned some breathing room.The question is how much they will need before their roster gets healthier.And how long they can keep asking the players still standing to compensate for those who aren’t.“It’s the NFL.

Injuries happen,” tight end George Kittle said.“It’s just how much depth you have, how many vets do you have that can stay healthy, that can continue to keep the elevation, the standard of play up.

That’s all that really matters.”That standard is getting harder to maintain.Defensive end Nick Bosa is dealing with knee and calf issues.Wide receiver Mike Evans has Achilles and rib injuries.

Deebo Samuel is sidelined by a hamstring injury.All three missed Sunday’s game, leaving the 49ers without their most dangerous pass rusher and two critical offensive weapons.And those absences only tell part of the story.Demarcus Robinson remains on injured reserve with the high ankle sprain he suffered in Week 2.Ricky Pearsall is out for the season.

Rookie De’Zhaun Stribling also is on injured reserve with an ankle injury.The 49ers aren’t simply replacing starters.They are replacing the players who were supposed to help replace them.For Brock Purdy, that means developing chemistry while trying to win games.“It’s our first game all together as a unit with the receivers that we had,” Purdy said.

“We’ve just got to keep working and stuff.But I thought it was a positive performance on their end.

We’ve just got to keep chipping away.”Purdy saw encouraging work from Jordan Watkins and Jacob Cowing, while continuing to explore what Brandin Co...