The 49ers had concern around cornerback Charvarius Ward going into the season opener with the Steelers. Now ahead of the biggest game of the campaign so far, the health of San Francisco's top player at the position is once again a worry.

San Francisco faces the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football this week in a game that is a potential NFC Championship Game preview.

Ward is critical to a 49ers defense that showed some signs of vulnerability in the Week 4 win over the Cardinals, but head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed on Wednesday that the former Chiefs cornerback would be absent to start their week of practice for the Cowboys game.

Ward was not only defensive starter Shanahan revealed would miss practice.

49ers injury report

Player	Injury	Wednesday
Charvarius Ward	Heel	DNP
Elijah Mitchell	Knee	DNP
Dre Greenlaw	Ankle	DNP
Jon Feliciano	Concussion	DNP
Christian McCaffrey	Resting Player	DNP
Trent Williams	Resting Player	DNP
Deebo Samuel	Ribs, Knee	Limited
Jauan Jennings	Shin	Limited

Injury report observations

Shanahan revealed that Ward's heel injury has lingered since it first cropped up ahead of the opener in Pittsburgh. Ward still played in that game and the likelihood is that, with the caution they are taking at this point and the later kickoff time, he will do so against the Cowboys.

If he cannot play, however, it will leave the 49ers very light at corner. Deommodore Lenoir has emerged as a reliable starter on the outside, but Ambry Thomas had some struggles in Week 4 on snaps when Lenoir kicked inside. A starting corner trio of Lenoir, Thomas and Isaiah Oliver is one that would feel very exploitable.

Greenlaw had dealt with an ankle injury prior to the win over the Cardinals and did not practice last Wednesday before returning on the Thursday. There is little reason for the 49ers to risk putting unnecessary strain on the injury at this point in the week.

Samuel played against Arizona despite missing the entire week of practice but did not have a catch. That he is limited for the opening practice points to him being in a better position to make an impact on the primetime stage. Jauan Jennings did not feature in Week 4 owing to his shin problem, but his return to practice will provide optimism he can do so versus Dallas.

Elijah Mitchell's knee injury cropped late last week and his DNP status indicates a running back who has struggled with durability throughout his brief career looks set to miss a second successive game.

Christian McCaffrey has been remarkably durable since joining the 49ers last season and his rest day his well earned after an incredible four-touchdown performance in the win over the Cardinals.

The 49ers’ offense continues to perform at historically high levels

Their efficiency is unmatched.