49ers report card: Deebo Samuel’s injury stings but Elijah Mitchell, Azeez Al-Shaair shine

Here is how the 49ers (6-5) graded in Sunday’s 34-26 home win over the Minnesota Vikings (5-6):

PASS OFFENSE: C+

Kyle Shanahan called Jimmy Garoppolo’s first-series interception “inexcusable,” and he demanded his quarterback rally, which Garoppolo did on several key throws. There was the third-and-11 completion to Brandon Aiyuk and an ensuing touchdown throw to Jauan Jennings’ touchdown to swing the momentum and spark a 21-point scoring spree. There were late completions to Trent Sherfield and Kyle Juszczyk to help kill precious minutes. Aiyuk’s catches went for 37, 30 and 24 yards. Those are confidence builders at a time they might need him more than ever, if Deebo Samuel is shelved by a groin injury. Kittle had just one catch (13 yards) but it was timely and to the 3-yard line to set up the go-ahead touchdown. Daniel Brunskill and Tom Compton had a couple of rough spots on the line’s right side. Vikings coach Mike Zimmer complained about the 49ers getting away with holding, which is something the 49ers have seen too often with how opponents treat Nick Bosa.

RUN OFFENSE: A

Elijah Mitchell’s return was impressive as he battled for 133 yards on 15 carries, only two weeks after fracturing his right middle finger and needing a plastic shield for his stabilizing pin. Mitchell and Deebo Samuel make for a formidable tandem. However, Samuel’s season is in limbo because of a groin injury that forced him out after six carries for 66 yards, including a 49-yard run then a 3-yard dash to put the 49ers in the lead. Jeff Wilson Jr. was used more as a lead blocker than as a rusher, and it worked, but he could be needed to spell Mitchell more in the future. Trey Sermon’s ankle injury sounds bleak, somewhat fitting in a disappointing rookie year.

PASS DEFENSE: C+

Kudos to Azeez Al-Shaair for only the third interception of a Kirk Cousins pass this season, and it was a timely theft between the third-quarter touchdown runs of Samuel and Mitchell. Josh Norman now has drawn a team-high nine penalties with Sunday’s two calls (holding, pass interference) but his confidence doesn’t waver, and that paid off on the Vikings’ final play which saw him cover Justin Jefferson on a fourth-down incompletion. Safeties Jimmie Ward and Talanoa Hufanga allowed touchdown catches to Adam Thielen. Bosa notched his career-high 11th sack, and he overcame a hit to the head and a right-knee gash. No one else sacked Cousins, so the 49ers still need more out of Samson Ebukam, Arik Armstead, Arden Key and all others.

RUN DEFENSE: B

Dalvin Cook’s 30-yard carry sparked life into the Vikings’ third-quarter comeback. Cook, however, totaled only 9 yards on nine other carries, the final of which resulted in Kevin Givens forcing a fumble on a 4-yard loss. Cook was carted off with a shoulder injury, and the 49ers would have had a tougher second half had he been healthy against a linebacker corps missing Fred Warner (hamstring) and Dre Greenlaw (groin). Al-Shaair’s ability to come away with two takeaways in the third quarter (interception, fumble recovery) and then fill in for Warner at the Mike linebacker spot exemplified how strong of a month he’s had.

SPECIAL TEAMS: D+

The 49ers allowed a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to quickly humble them after taking an 11-point lead in the second half. Robbie Gould made his first two field-goal attempts (including one off the upright) before missing a 42-yard attempt out of the two-minute warning, which put the onus on the defense to protect the eight-point lead rather than an 11-point cushion. Mitch Wishnowsky’s busy day started with him making the tackle on his game-opening kickoff, and he averaged 47.7 yards on three punts.

COACHING: B

This wasn’t a clever or dominant effort. The 21-point scoring spree entering and exiting halftime couldn’t have been scripted better. Still, there were frustrating calls through this game, by both Shanahan and defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans. Overall, the 49ers overcame injuries and adversity, however, and that shows vital fortitude as the stakes increase in a playoff run.