First 49ers injury report for Week 4, vs. Cardinals

The 49ers have, according to data from the first three weeks of the NFL season, two top 10 receivers in Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. However, the early signs as they start they ramp up their preparations for the Week 4 meeting with the Cardinals is that they might again only be able to field one […]

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Sep 21, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (19) catches a touchdown pass in front of New York Giants cornerback Adoree' Jackson (22) in the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium.
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

The 49ers have, according to data from the first three weeks of the NFL season, two top 10 receivers in Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. However, the early signs as they start they ramp up their preparations for the Week 4 meeting with the Cardinals is that they might again only be able to field one of them.

Through three weeks, Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel are both graded as top-10 wide receivers by Pro Football Focus.

Last week against the Giants, the Niners had to cope without Aiyuk because of a shoulder injury he suffered on the first series of their Week 2 win over the Rams. Samuel stepped up in his absence, but could be out against Arizona, due in part to a problem sustained in doing so.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed ahead of Wednesday’s practice that Samuel would not practice due to a rib injury that he appeared to suffer on a catch and run in the fourth quarter against New York, as well as a knee issue.

Aiyuk, meanwhile, was a limited participant in practice, indicating he is on the right track to feature versus Arizona, as is cornerback Ambry Thomas, who also missed the Giants game.

Samuel was not the only wideout to miss out on practice. Jauan Jennings was held out of the session with a shin issue.

Here's the injury report from Wednesday's practice: 

PlayerInjuryWednesday

Dre Greenlaw

Ankle

DNP

Jauan Jennings

Shin

DNP

Deebo Samuel

Ribs, Knee

DNP

Trent Williams

Resting Player

DNP

Brandon Aiyuk

Shoulder

Limited

Ambry Thomas

Knee

Limited

Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles

Ankle

Full

Injury report observations

Greenlaw has not played a full season since his rookie year. That is obviously an unwanted streak he'll be keen to end, but the 49ers might play it safe with him in a game they're expected to win this early in the season. Starting SAM linebacker Oren Burks would be expected to move to the WILL role to fill in for Greenlaw if he can't go.

While obviously not as big of a concern as the potential absence of Samuel, Jennings would be a big loss for the Niners for what he can do on third down and his play in the blocking game.

If both Samuel and Jennings are eventually ruled out, the 49ers may have to elevate two receivers from the practice squad. They elevated Chris Conley last week with Aiyuk out.

It could also mean more opportunities for rookie Ronnie Bell, who caught his first NFL touchdown in Week 3, though the more likely result of the injuries is that tight end George Kittle will see the lion’s share of the passing game work alongside Aiyuk.