Week 9 Injury Report: 49ers Well Rested, Rams Not So Lucky
By Jerrell Richardson
As to be expected, after a week off, the 49ers are as healthy as they have been all year. They have a total of 4 players on this week’s injury report, but each one is just a formality. The team is still a piece or two from being completely full strength, but everyone listed this week as injured will play. On the other sideline the Rams are hurting. They seem to lose a player for the season just about every week, and even those on the active roster are banged up. With where they are at in the season St. Louis is just trying to avoid another injury, and will be seriously undermanned come Sunday.
49ers Finally Healthy
Patrick Willis missed the 49ers last game with a toe injury, and has yet to return to full participation in practice, but the bottom line is that he is playing against St. Louis. The inside linebacker is taking it easy this week as a few extra days of practice mean little for a player of his tenure. At this point in his career, the team just needs him to be as healthy as possible come game time and that’s the reason for his limited action.
This same thought process is behind the limitations put on Tramaine Brock. The team’s starting cornerback played, although a bit rusty before the bye against Denver, and suffered no setback during the game. He was somewhat forced into the lineup a bit prematurely due to other injured players, but after holding up during a game, and a week in between to heal, he too will be playing.
Jimmie Ward was upgraded to a full participant in practice, so he and Chris Culliver, the two 49ers who despite their injuries were able to participant in all practice activities will both be on the field and ready to go for kickoff.
San Francisco 49ers
Limited In Practice:
CB Tramaine Brock (toe), LB Patrick Willis (toe).
Full Participation In Practice:
CB Chris Culliver (hamstring), S Jimmie Ward (quadricep).
Injuries Will Effect Rams
St. Louis has seen injuries derail there entire season, and the hits just keep on coming. Not listed on this report are two of their offensive stars, tackle Jake Long and wide receiver Brian Quick who were lost for the season this past week. Not only does that leave a short time to find replacements at these two positions, they have 13 other players dealing with some sort of injury. The only good news for the Ram is that almost half, of their report will be playing. The rest are question though are question marks which could further handicap a team that has already gone through more than enough of their fair share of injuries.
Two defensive starters, tackle Aaron Donald, and cornerback Janoris Jenkins have been unable to practice all week, and figure to sit this one out. While thin, the team does have backups at each position and can make do without either or both. This also applies for offensive tackle Rodger Saffold whose elbow has kept him on the sidelines with Donald and Jenkins. All three will only play in the team doesn’t feel comfortable without them dressing in case of an emergency depth wise.
On the fence are two other defensive players, safety Rodney McLeod and linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar. Due to the various other injuries the team is dealing with, both players should be playing though as they really don’t have a choice. Outside of a setback expect McLeod and Dunbar trying to contain the 49er offense.
St. Louis Rams
Did Not Participate In Practice:
S Cody Davis (Concussion), DT Aaron Donald (Shoulder), CB Janoris Jenkins (knee), T Rodger Saffold (elbow).
Limited In Practice:
LB Jo-Lonn Dunbar (Toe), S Rodney McLeod (elbow).
Full Participation In Practice:
C Tim Barnes (shoulder), WR Kenny Britt (hip), DE William Hayes (foot), CB Trumaine Johnson (knee), DB Lamarcus Joyner (hip), Marcus Roberson, C Scott Wells (elbow).
For more 49ers news and updates, visit 49ers Central.
Jerrell Richardson is a Bay Area native who due to a college career at San Diego State University has grown an appreciation for all things sports related in California. His heart will always remain in San Francisco though where he currently resides and covers everything from the San Francisco 49ers and Giants to the San Jose Sharks and California Bears Baseball team. Jerrell is a freelance writer covering all things NFL. His work can be found on Examiner.com.
