The 49ers added a major offensive weapon last week in Christian McCaffrey. Then they lost three key players on offense.
Deebo Samuel (hamstring), Jauan Jennings (hamstring) and Kyle Juszczyk (finger) will all miss out through injury.
So, too, will Jason Verrett, who was activated from the physically unable to perform list this week as he works back from a torn ACL. Kyle Shanahan said the team was considering giving Verrett limited snaps to get his feet wet with NFL action, but with a bye week ahead, San Francisco played it safe. Both he and Jennings were questionable.
Below are the 49ers’ inactives. Dre Greenlaw, dealing with a calf injury, misses out, too. It’s a rough injury list:
Both Samuel and Juszczyk had already been ruled out, but Jennings was questionable. His absence means that Brandon Aiyuk and Ray-Ray McCloud are the only two active 49ers receivers with receptions this season.
Here’s the receptions total for the 49ers active players this season, as 49ers:
- Brandon Aiyuk: 32
- George Kittle: 25
- Ray-Ray McCloud: 8
- Christian McCaffrey: 2
- Ross Dwelley: 2
- Tyler Kroft: 1
That’s 40 receptions for their receivers, 30 for everyone else. Practice squad receiver Tay Martin was activated for the game (as was defensive tackle Ty McGill) and veteran Willie Snead IV was promoted to the active roster.
For the Rams, it’s a less consequential list:
Cam Akers misses out again, as the Rams have reportedly sought to trade him before the deadline on November 1.
It’s clear that the Rams, after a bye week, have the healthier team. Their offensive line has been decimated by injuries, but they’re healthier elsewhere.