When cornerback Emmanuel Moseley was asked Thursday about the 49ers’ inability to create turnovers this season, he was optimistic.
“I think we’re very close,” Moseley said. “And turnovers, they come in bunches.”
He was correct.
On Sunday, the 49ers had two takeaways in the game’s first 16 minutes against the Colts, which matched their total from the season’s first five games (and 300 minutes). They began almost immediately against a team that entered Week 7 with the second-fewest turnovers (five) in the NFL. Colts running back Jonathan Taylor fumbled on their first play from scrimmage when cornerback Josh Norman poked the ball out and linebacker Fred Warner recovered the fumble at the Indianapolis 28. The takeaway resulted in a 34-yard field goal by Joey Slye that gave the 49ers a 9-0 lead.
Two drives later, on the first play of the second quarter, Colts quarterback Carson Wentz gift-wrapped a turnover on 2nd-and-goal from the 4-yard line. Under heavy pressure from defensive end Nick Bosa, Wentz flipped the ball forward — directly to linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, who recovered what was ruled a fumble in mid-air.
The wet conditions played a role in the 49ers missing out on two near-interceptions in the first half. Moseley and cornerback Josh Norman both dropped passes that hit them directly in the hands.
Williams sidelined: Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams, who was listed as doubtful, didn’t play against the Colts because of a sprained ankle he aggravated in practice Monday. Jaylon Moore, a rookie fifth-round pick, made his first career start in place of Williams.
Wide receiver Travis Benjamin was also inactive, which might have been a nod to the weather conditions. Benjamin made his season debut in a loss at Arizona on Oct. 10, and head coach Kyle Shanahan cited his speed as the reason he played instead of wide receiver Jauan Jennings. The 49ers’ other inactives were rookie cornerbacks Deommodore Lenoir and Ambry Thomas, defensive tackles Javon Kinlaw (knee) and Maurice Hurst (calf) and quarterback Trey Lance (knee).
Lenoir, a fifth-round pick, was inactive for the first time this season. Thomas, a third-round pick who has played nine defensive snaps, was inactive for the fourth time in six games.
Rookie guard Aaron Banks, a second-round pick, was on the game-day roster after he was inactive for the first five games.
PI day: The 49ers’ had two more pass-interference penalties in the first half, totaling 59 yards, with a 19-yard infraction by Moseley in the end zone late in the second quarter leading to Wentz’s 1-yard touchdown run three plays later. Cornerback K’Waun Williams had a 40-yard penalty in the first quarter.
The 49ers entered Week 7 ranked second in the NFL with eight pass-interference penalties, two behind Tampa Bay.
Big kick: Slye’s 56-yard field goal in the first quarter matched his career long and was the longest by a 49ers kicker since Phil Dawson made a 56-yarder in December 2013.
Eric Branch covers the 49ers for The San Francisco Chronicle. Email: ebranch@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Eric_Branch
Missing ingredient in 49ers' recipe for creating turnovers? Just add water - San Francisco Chronicle
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