Second 49ers injury report for Week 15, at Cardinals
The San Francisco 49ers' injury report for Week 15 was already long enough, now it has a new name after an offensive starter missed Thursday's practice. Most of the players whose status is in doubt for Sunday's matchup with the Arizona Cardinals, in which the 10-3 49ers can clinch the NFC West with a win, […]
The San Francisco 49ers' injury report for Week 15 was already long enough, now it has a new name after an offensive starter missed Thursday's practice.
Most of the players whose status is in doubt for Sunday's matchup with the Arizona Cardinals, in which the 10-3 49ers can clinch the NFC West with a win, are on the defensive side of the ball.
But there is a fresh concern on offense, with left guard Aaron Banks held out of the 49ers' final full session before their Saturday flight to Arizona because of a hip injury.
49ers injury report
Injury report observations
Banks was said to be in the weight room while the 49ers practiced, indicating his injury is not serious.
Yet if he cannot recover in time to face the Cardinals it will mean more shuffling of the pack at the guard position. Veteran Jon Feliciano started at right guard in Week 14 in the absence of Spencer Burford (knee), however, Burford was back in a limited capacity on Thursday.
Feliciano has started on both sides of the line this season and, if Banks is out but Burford is healthy enough to return, he'll likely be asked to flip to the left in another illustration of the importance of his addition this offseason.
Though Burford returned, there was seemingly a setback for running back Elijah Mitchell. San Francisco's leading rusher from 2021 was limited on Wednesday having missed the win over the Seattle Seahawks with a knee issue. He did not practice in any capacity on Thursday, indicating Jordan Mason will again back up Christian McCaffrey as Mitchell continues to be plagued by a lack of durability.
Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (hamstring) and cornerback Charvarius Ward (groin) missed a second successive practice after suffering injuries against the Seahawks but were seen working on a side field in a somewhat positive sign they are trending in the right direction
A more tangible plus came in the comments of defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, who allayed fears over linebacker Dre Greenlaw after he also missed a second straight day. Wilks said in his Thursday press conference that he expects Greenlaw to play despite hip and ankle injuries.
Oren Burks (knee tendinitis) is expected to miss out and, though Fred Warner is the best in the league at the position, San Francisco being without two of their top three linebackers against dual threat quarterback Kyler Murray would be a serious problem. As such, Wilks' words are extremely welcome.
Ambry Thomas, likely to start at cornerback if Ward cannot play, was back after dealing with a personal matter.
There was no surprise as Arik Armstead was once again missing from practice and, with Hargrave still not back, San Francisco looks likely to be without both its starting defensive tackles ahead of a game the 49ers should not take lightly despite Arizona's 3-10 record.
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