The San Francisco 49ers just can’t seem to catch a break.
Injuries have plagued San Francisco all season, and the Niners will have to deal with a lot of adversity in that area as they prepare to face the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night in Santa Clara, Calif.
Just 10 months removed from a Super Bowl appearance, San Francisco (6-7) finds itself at the bottom of the NFC West and needs to run the table against the Rams, Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions and Arizona Cardinals to have a shot. in making the playoffs.
Staying healthy has been a seemingly impossible task for the 49ers, whose struggles have centered around the backfield.
Star running back Christian McCaffrey is out for the season after appearing in just four games, and Jordan Mason has joined injured reserve after both suffered a Week 13 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
That forced the 49ers to turn to third baseman Isaac Guerendo in their meeting with the Chicago Bears on Sunday, and the rookie shined with 78 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries in what ended up being a 38-13 victory.
Guerendo also hauled in two receptions for 50 yards, but also picked up an injury bug. A sprained ankle sidelined him in the fourth quarter, and the 24-year-old didn’t practice Tuesday and is considered a game-time decision against the Rams.
“We’ll see if he can go on Thursday,” San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan said. “It’s a quick change, so we have to test him hard day by day. … I hope Thursday will be enough time for him.”
Defensive end Nick Bosa (hip, oblique), guard Ben Bartch (ankle) and guard Trent Williams (ankle) also did not practice Tuesday. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw is dealing with an Achilles injury and was among those limited.
Los Angeles coach Sean McVay isn’t underestimating the 49ers, regardless of what their injury report says.
“If you know anything, it’s a week-to-week league. Humility is only one week away,” McVay said. “They’ve got great coaches, great personnel, really good schemes. So, no matter what happens injury-wise, they’re going to be ready to go and we’re going to do everything we can to get our guys ready to roll.
“It will be a great challenge and an opportunity, and I think familiarity only gives more respect for knowing (not only) what they can do, but what they can do.”
The Rams (7-6) are on top at the right time, most recently defeating the Bills 44-42 on Sunday for their sixth win in their last eight games. Matthew Stafford completed 23 of 30 for 320 yards and two TDs while leaning heavily on Puka Nacua (12 catches, 162 yards, one touchdown).
Kyren Williams found the end zone twice and finished with 87 yards on 29 carries.
The second-seeded Rams hold their future in their own hands, as they face all three NFC West rivals (plus the New York Jets) in the final month.
Stafford may get another weapon in the mix Thursday, as tight end Tyler Higbee could make his season debut after recovering from a torn ACL and MCL. Higbee practiced fully on Tuesday.
Six Rams did not practice Tuesday, including wide receiver Demarcus Robinson (shoulder) and quarterback Cobie Durant (chest).
–Field Level Media
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