There were concerns heading into Sunday that the 49ers could miss two star players, and potentially more than that.
Most of those worries have been alleviated. Deebo Samuel, Trent Williams and Arik Armstead are all active for Sunday’s contest.
Samuel had been dealing with a deep thigh contusion all week. He practiced in limited fashion on Wednesday, missed practice on Thursday, then returned Friday in a very limited role.
He was described as a “true game-time decision” by Ian Rapoport, so his availability represents the most substantial news.
Williams had departed Friday’s practice with back spasms, which is maybe the most substantial 49ers advantage. The Dolphins’ star left tackle Terron Armstead suffered a partially torn pectoral last week and while it was reported that he was attempting to play this week, he’s been made inactive.
The 49ers’ Armstead, though, is healthy. For the first time since Week 4, Arik Armstead will suit up for a game. He’s been dealing with a stress fracture in one ankle and plantar fasciitis in the other foot, but practiced for the first time last Friday, and practiced every day this week.
The only injury absence for the 49ers is right guard Spencer Burford, who suffered a sprained ankle last week and missed Wednesday’s practice. He and Daniel Brunskill had been operating at a near 50-50 snap split, so his absence for a week isn’t necessarily a devastating one.
Below are the 49ers’ inactives:
- LB Curtis Robinson
- RG Spencer Burford
- TE Ross Dwelley
- DT T.Y. McGill
And for the Dolphins:
- RB Myles Gaskin
- QB Teddy Bridgewater
- CB Noah Igbinoghene
- WR Erik Ezukanma
- T Terron Armstead
- T Austin Jackson
- TE Hunter Long
San Francisco also placed Elijah Mitchell on injured reserve on Saturday, while the Dolphins activated offensive linemen James Empey and Kendall Lamm from their practice squad.
As far as health goes, the 49ers clearly got the better news on Sunday.