It would be difficult to blame the San Francisco 49ers if they shut down some of their injured veterans in the final three games of what is all but guaranteed to be a lost season.
Alas, their Week 16 inactives show they’re not ready to punt the 2024 campaign just yet.
With linebacker Dre Greenlaw and defensive end Nick Bosa both listed as ‘questionable’ on the injury report, it would’ve been easy to have both players down with an eye toward the 2025 season. Both star defenders are in the lineup though after not being listed with the team’s Week 16 inactives.
Here’s who won’t suit up Sunday:
QB Joshua Dobbs (third QB)
LT Trent Williams (ankle)
RB Isaac Guerendo (hamstring)
TE Jake Tonges
DL Khalil Davis
CB Rock Ya-Sin
DL Robert Beal Jr. (ankle)
Beal is the only real surprise since he was listed as questionable after an ankle injury cropped up during the week. Defensive lineman Alex Barrett was elevated from the practice squad in part of the 49ers’ Saturday roster moves. He’ll likely replace Beal in the DL rotation.
It’s unclear what Greenlaw’s role will be in his second game since returning from an Achilles tear in the Super Bowl. He played the first half against the Los Angeles Rams in his Week 15 debut, but exited with fatigue issues and soreness. He was limited in practice throughout the week, listed with knee and Achilles ailments.