Monday night’s game figures to play a deciding role in the trajectory of the 49ers’ season. A loss would place them at 3-6 and 0-4 in the division, potentially opening up the door for Trey Lance and other rookies to get playing time.
A win would make them 4-5, and firmly amongst the weak group of contenders for the seventh and final Wild Card spot.
San Francisco lost Mike McGlinchey to a torn quadricep last weekend, and will be without at least five players against the Rams:
OUT
RB JaMycal Hasty (ankle)
DL Maurice Hurst (calf)
CB Dre Kirkpatrick (ankle)
WR Mohamed Sanu (knee)
S Tavon Wilson (foot)
Questionable
DL Arden Key (oblique)
CB Josh Norman (rib)
DB Jimmie Ward (quadricep)
In more encouraging news, Kyle Shanahan said Saturday that Jeff Wilson Jr., after a midweek “scare,” got through this week better than the prior one and is expected to contribute on Monday.
Arik Armstead, Deebo Samuel, Trent Williams and George Kittle are also left off the status report this week, indicating they’ll all play Monday.
Shanahan also confirmed that with Dre Kirkpatrick out and Josh Norman, who was in a blue, non-contact uniform this week with reported broken ribs, questionable, both rookies Ambry Thomas and Deommodore Lenoir will be active on Monday.
As for the Rams, the stunning news came out Saturday that Robert Woods suffered a torn ACL. Woods had been the Rams’ No. 2 wide receiver and a stellar one, at that, behind Cooper Kupp. He’s also viewed as a very impressive run-blocking receiver. Odell Beckham Jr. is expected to play on Monday.
Below is the Rams’ practice report, with Von Miller still questionable with an ankle injury.
OUT
WR Robert Woods (knee)
Questionable
C Brian Allen (elbow)
CB Donte Deayon (thigh)
LB Von Miller (ankle)
WR Ben Skowronek (thigh)
CB Darious Williams (ankle)