The 49ers have, at least in comparison to the last few seasons, managed to avert the injury bug through the first 14 weeks of this season.
Now in Week 15 they’re dealing with a variety of ailments that are leaving their status report for a showdown with the Cardinals in Arizona in a bit of disarray.
Five players are ruled out, including two starters on the defensive line. They also have four players listed as questionable – all of them starters.
Here’s a look at the full injury report:
Out
DT Arik Armstead (foot, knee)
LB Oren Burks (knee)
TE Ross Dwelley (ankle)
DT Javon Hargrave (hamstring)
RB Elijah Mitchell (knee)
Questionable
LG Aaron Banks (hip)
RG Spencer Burford (knee)
LB Dre Greenlaw (hip, ankle)
CB Charvarius Ward (groin)
Replacements?
It would appear the absences of Armstead and Hargrave will mean more playing time for Javon Kinlaw and Kevin Givens. Kalia Davis should see some additional action, and it wouldn’t be a huge surprise of someone like veteran TY McGill is up off the practice squad.
If neither Banks nor Buford can go it creates a bit of a problem on the interior of the offensive line for the 49ers. Jon Feliciano would probably hold down the left guard spot with either Ben Bartch or Matt Pryor on the other side.
Greenlaw is usually replaced by Burks, but with Burks out it’s Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles in line for more work if Greenlaw can’t go.
At cornerback if Ward is unavailable the 49ers would probably look to keep Deommodore Lenoir on the outside to replace Ward. That would open a spot at the nickel for Isaiah Oliver to get time.
