$158 million worth of offensive firepower sat on the sidelines. Yet John Lynch stood firm on the field at Levi’s Stadium, painting an optimistic picture after the 49ers’ 30-24 victory over Dallas with coach Kyle Shanahan. “I know there’s better football in front of us,” Lynch declared. “We just gotta keep going.”

“Those guys are game changers.” John Lynch’s words hung heavy. The 49ers’ GM spoke candidly about missing Brandon Aiyuk and Christian McCaffrey. “Staying healthy is so critical in this league, and it’s happened to a lot of our best players,” Lynch admitted, yet his tone carried an unmistakable note of resilience.

The 49ers’ GM faces a mounting challenge as his star-studded offense keeps taking hits. Brandon Aiyuk‘s season ended with a torn ACL and MCL. Christian McCaffrey watches from the trainer’s room. Now Deebo Samuel, fresh off a hospital stay with pneumonia, left Sunday’s game with injured ribs after a gutsy 71-yard receiving performance.

Lynch’s response to this offensive exodus? Cool heads must prevail. “We’ve got a good group of players,” he insisted on KNBR Friday. The GM’s faith in depth pieces like Ricky Pearsall and Chris Conley – “a very dependable, trusted guy” – suggests he won’t rush into the trade market despite the injuries piling up.

The numbers tell a stark story. Ten players occupy the 49ers‘ injured reserve list. Samuel’s setback today came after he managed just four snaps last week, leaving trainers scrambling when he struggled to breathe. “Right before the game, somebody came up to me and said, ‘Where’s Deebo?'” Lynch recalled of that moment. “Next thing you know, a trainer’s running out.”

“We’ve let a couple of wins we had in our grasp go,” Lynch reflected post-game today. Yet his eyes remain fixed on the bye week when McCaffrey might return to spark the offense. The GM’s patience stems from a bigger picture – he’s counting on getting McCaffrey, Dre Greenlaw, and others back to fuel another playoff push. “Those guys, you start getting those guys back, we’ll be a better football team.”

Shanahan’s offense shows cracks without star power

Kyle Shanahan’s injury report after the Cowboys game read like a war dispatch. “J.P. Mason had a shoulder, did not return… Dee Winters had a concussion… Deebo Samuel, ribs… Renardo Green, ankle.” The hits kept coming, forcing more adjustments to an already depleted game plan.

The 49ers managed to build a productive offense despite missing their $158 million duo. A 66-yard Samuel touchdown got erased by a penalty, but the team still put up 30 points. Yet each new injury forces Shanahan to reach deeper into his playbook, testing the limits of his scheme’s adaptability.

Those limits might stretch further in the coming weeks. Jauan Jennings remains doubtful with a hip injury. The receiving corps thins by the day. Shanahan stayed measured when asked about seeking trade help: “It’s a lot harder to do than people realize. People aren’t into giving up players that can really help you.”

For now, the 4-4 49ers keep weathering the storm. Their victory over Dallas proved they could win without their full arsenal. But as Lynch and Shanahan navigate this injury maze, one question looms: Will staying the course be enough to keep their Super Bowl hopes alive?