The 49ers will be at least marginally healthier Saturday when they face the Los Angeles Rams at Levi’s Stadium. Both cornerbacks Richard Sherman and K’Waun Williams were not on the team’s final Week 16 injury report, putting them on track to play after they missed Week 15 against the Falcons.
Williams’ return from a concussion is less surprising than Sherman’s quick turnaround from a Grade 2 hamstring strain. Typically players clear concussion protocol within a week, and Williams practiced in full all week.
Sherman, however, was supposed to be out at least two weeks. His return to practice Monday was an indicator he might play Saturday, but he practiced in full all week and was left off the injury report.
Having both Sherman and Williams back in the secondary should help with some of the communication issues that plagued the 49ers’ defense against Atlanta.
Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh on Wednesday specifically noted a miscommunication in the secondary leading to the Falcons’ game-winning touchdown pass from Matt Ryan to Julio Jones.
While missing other starters will impact the 49ers, getting Williams and Sherman back should give the San Francisco defense enough of a boost to improve on last week’s performance.
The other player of note on the injury report is right guard Mike Person. He injured his neck against Atlanta and was a limited participant in practice all week. Daniel Brunskill, who filled in at right tackle while Mike McGlinchey was out, and at left tackle when Justin Skule struggled at left tackle, would be first in line to slide into the starting right guard spot.
Against a player like Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald, the interior of the offensive line is imperative. Brunskill getting his first ever start at right guard against Donald would be a massive test that could decide Sunday’s contest.
Here’s the full injury report:
Out
DE Dee Ford (hamstring)
SS Jaquiski Tartt (ribs)
DL Jullian Taylor (elbow)
Questionable
OL Mike Person (neck)
