Sitting at 0-3 and facing a must-win as seven-point underdogs in an Eastern Time Zone road game, this is not a good time for another Kentwan Balmer situation for the San Francisco 49ers.
But that's exactly what's happening, as the Sacramento Bee reports 49ers starting safety Michael Lewis pulled a no-show for Friday practice and may not be making the trip with the team to play the Atlanta Falcons Sunday.
People, this is worse than Kentwan Balmer. Michael Lewis is actually of value to the 49ers defense.
49ers coach Mike Singletary told the Bee, "He's not here for personal reasons. I told him to go ahead and do what he has to do. As far as if he'll make the trip or not, I'm not sure at this point. It depends on if things get worked out or not. But once again, it's personal reasons. And it's on Mike."
Comcast's Matt Maiocco observes via Twitter, "Pretty easy to assume he lost starting job."
The Bee reports that rookie Taylor Mays saw the majority of reps in Lewis' place at Friday morning practice.
The Niners will be getting the Falcons coming right off their big overtime win over the defending champ New Orleans Saints. They also face a 10 a.m. PDT start time, which Tim Kawakami notes in the Mercury News has not been a conducive slot for them in recent seasons.
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Joe Kukura is a freelance writer who should mention in closing that a Falcons defensive lineman is dating one of the "Real Housewives of Atlanta".
