The San Francisco 49ers received the good news on Monday that the defensive injuries they sustained during the Week 14 win over the Seattle Seahawks are unlikely to be long term ones. 

But the prospect of the Niners being without several starters on that side of the ball in Week 15 against the Arizona Cardinals looks to have increased following Wednesday's practice. 

Seven members of the 49ers' 53-man roster did not practice, with five of those players on a defense that faces an underrated test in Sunday's matchup with Kyler Murray and the Arizona offense as San Francisco looks to clinch the NFC West with a win.

Injury report

Injury report observations

Head coach Kyle Shanahan had already said on Monday that it was likely the 49ers would be without defensive tackle Arik Armstead for a second successive game because of knee and foot injuries. His fellow starter in the middle of the D-Line, Javon Hargrave, suffered a hamstring injury and played only 28 snaps against the Seahawks.

San Francisco was still able to get a consistent pass rush on Seattle quarterback Drew Lock without Hargrave and Armstead and, while there is a drop-off to Javon Kinlaw and Kevin Givens, the 49ers might be wary of risking Hargrave aggravating his injury by playing against a quarterback with the running ability of Murray.

Charvarius Ward injured his groin on the first series last week, though Deommodore Lenoir, Ambry Thomas and Isaiah Oliver all extremely well in his absence. Thomas' absence from Wednesday's practice was not injury related and, provided he can be available for Sunday, the 49ers will likely be very comfortable starting that trio and giving Ward an extra week to heal.

Similarly, Jon Feliciano's performance in right guard Spencer Burford's stead should mean the 49ers are in no hurry to rush back Burford from his latest knee issue. Feliciano was Niners' top-graded run blocker by Pro Football Focus in the win over Seattle.

Of greater concern will be linebacker Dre Greenlaw missing practice. Greenlaw returned and finished the game last Sunday despite injuring his hip but, if he cannot go this week, then rookie Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, who was already set to step in for Oren Burks (knee tendinitis) at SAM linebacker, would likely have to play the WILL next to Fred Warner.

Should that scenario come to pass, rookie Dee Winters would be the favorite to make his first career start at SAM.

Positive news comes in the return of corner Darrell Luter Jr. to full practice. The rookie will provide valuable depth if Ward is unable to play, while the backfield should be deeper this week with Elijah Mitchell back in practice.

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