The San Francisco 49ers have had a tough season with injuries, and things aren’t getting easier as they prepare to play the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night in Santa Clara, California.
Just 10 months after appearing in the Super Bowl, the 49ers (6-7) are now at the bottom of the NFC West and need to win all their remaining games against the Rams, Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, and Arizona Cardinals to have any chance of making the playoffs.
Injuries have been a major problem for the 49ers, especially in their backfield. Star running back Christian McCaffrey is out for the rest of the season after playing in just four games. Backup Jordan Mason was also placed on injured reserve after getting hurt during a Week 13 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
This forced the 49ers to rely on third-string running back Isaac Guerendo in their game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday. Guerendo had an impressive performance, rushing for 78 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries in a 38-13 win.
He also caught two passes for 50 yards, but he injured his foot and was sidelined in the fourth quarter. He didn’t practice on Tuesday and is a game-time decision for Thursday’s game.
In addition to Guerendo’s injury, key players like defensive end Nick Bosa (hip, oblique), guard Ben Bartch (ankle), and offensive tackle Trent Williams (ankle) didn’t practice on Tuesday. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw, dealing with an Achilles injury, was limited in practice.
Despite the injuries, Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay isn’t taking the 49ers lightly.
“If there’s anything that you do know, it’s a week-to-week league. Humility’s only a week away,” McVay said. “They have excellent coaches, excellent personnel, really good schemes. And so, no matter what’s really happened in terms of the trajectory of the injuries, they’re gonna be ready to go and we’re gonna do our best to get our guys ready to roll.
It’s gonna be a great challenge and opportunity, and I think the familiarity only gives that much more respect knowing (not only) what they’ve done, but what they’re capable of as well.”
The Rams (7-6) are playing their best football lately, winning six of their last eight games. They recently defeated the Buffalo Bills 44-42, with quarterback Matthew Stafford completing 23 of 30 passes for 320 yards and two touchdowns, relying heavily on wide receiver Puka Nacua (12 catches, 162 yards, 1 touchdown).
Running back Kyren Williams also had a strong performance, rushing for 87 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries.
The Rams are in second place in the NFC West and control their own destiny, as they play all three other NFC West teams (plus the New York Jets) in the final month of the season.
Stafford could also get another target back in the game on Thursday, as tight end Tyler Higbee may make his season debut after recovering from a torn ACL and MCL. Higbee practiced fully on Tuesday.
Six Rams players didn’t practice on Tuesday, including wide receiver Demarcus Robinson (shoulder) and cornerback Cobie Durant (chest).
