SANTA CLARA — The San Francisco defensive player who had the best offseason will be sidelined for some time.
The team announced cornerback Jimmie Ward will be week-to-week with a quad strain he suffered in Sunday’s loss to the Seahawks.
According to Pro Football Focus, only two 49ers defenders have been better than Ward to start the season — Eric Reid and NaVorro Bowman. Despite allowing a pair touchdowns in Week 2 to Kelvin Benjamin, Ward was off to a strong 2016 start.
Ward’s replacement is up in the air and will be determined by who practices better this week, according to defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil. Either rookie Rashard Robinson or Keith Reaser will start alongside Tramaine Brock this Sunday against the Cowboys. Expect Chris Davis to slide back into the nickel role.
The challenge this week should be theoretically easier for the 49ers’ defense. Rookie Dak Prescott comes to town, and he hasn’t thrown an interception all year. At some point, the rookie curve is going to catch up to the Cowboys quarterback.
Dallas slot receiver Cole Beasley has been Prescott’s favorite target, with 20 catches for 213 yards. Dez Bryant, however, has just 11 catches for 150 yards in three games and he went an MRI on Monday with a knee injury.