First 49ers injury report for Week 13, at Eagles
The battle in the trenches will be crucial in determining who wins the NFC Championship Game rematch between the San Francisco 49ers and the Philadelphia Eagles. As the Niners prepare to try to move within a game of the Eagles in the race for the number one seed in the NFC, Kyle Shanahan had mixed […]
The battle in the trenches will be crucial in determining who wins the NFC Championship Game rematch between the San Francisco 49ers and the Philadelphia Eagles.
As the Niners prepare to try to move within a game of the Eagles in the race for the number one seed in the NFC, Kyle Shanahan had mixed news regarding the health of some key players up front.
The offensive line appears in excellent shape for one of its biggest tests of the season, yet there is a potentially huge issue on the defensive line.
49ers Injury Report
Injury report observations
Shanahan could not give a firm answer when asked if Armstead's foot issue was the same one he dealt with during a heavily disrupted 2022 season. Armstead played only nine regular-season games last year because of plantar fasciitis.
"I’m not sure exactly. I know it’s his foot. I’m not sure how similar it is," he replied.
Regardless of the nature of the issue, losing Armstead would be a massive blow to a 49ers' pass rush that has dominated over the course of San Francisco's three-game winning streak since returning from the bye.
Armstead is enjoying one of his finest seasons since the 49ers' Super Bowl run of 2019, when he recorded a career-high 10 sacks.
Through 11 games, Armstead has five sacks and 13 quarterback hits, with his 36 pressures 13th among interior defensive linemen, according to Pro Football Focus. He is tied ninth with 28 pressures in true pass sets and seventh in PFF pass rush grade, four spots behind defensive tackle running mate Javon Hargrave.
If Armstead cannot play, former first-round pick Javon Kinlaw would step in next to Hargrave. Kinlaw is still waiting on his first sack since 2020 but is 14th in pass rush grade.
On the offensive line, starting right guard Spencer Burford practiced in a limited capacity after missing the Thanksgiving win over the Seattle Seahawks with a knee injury.
Despite his return, the indications from the portion of practice open to the media suggested the 49ers will follow through with a plan to rotate Burford with veteran Jon Feliciano, who played two games at left guard when Aaron Banks was out injured and started at right guard in Seattle last Thursday.
In addition to Armstead, starting returner Ray-Ray McCloud did not practice with a rib injury, while third-string running back Jordan Mason also missed out with a hamstring issue. Rookie Ronnie Bell would likely fill in for McCloud, and last year's third-round pick Tyrion Davis-Price would take Mason's place on the gameday roster.
All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams had his usual Wednesday veteran rest day.
49ers find new long-term starter in 2024 Mock Draft
It would be a very smart pick.
