The 49ers and Rams released their final injury reports for the week as they get ready for their Week 17 regular season finale and as expected, Delanie Walker has been ruled out with his broken jaw. The team is expected to re-assess his jaw next week to determine his availability for the playoffs. If the injury is going to take another three or four weeks of recovery, Walker would likely be IR'd to get a new tight end on the 53-man roster.
Ted Ginn and Kyle Williams sat out practice all week and are listed as questionable for sunday. There are six players listed as questionable, with Ginn, Williams and Willis as the least likely to play. Willis got in limited practice all week, so he would seem to be the most likely of those three to play.
It gets interesting if both Ginn and Williams sit on Sunday. Aside from the wide receiver issues that raises, there is also the concern at the punt return and kick return positions. Ted Ginn Jr. has handled that to date with Kyle Williams acting as his primary backup. Coach Harbaugh spoke to the media today and indicated that Reggie Smith is the "next man up" in the punt return unit. He also said Kendall Hunter and Chris Culliver could get some opportunities in the kick return game.
It stinks to have to deal with the injuries, but one upside is getting a chance to see what kind of return game the 49ers can bring with the backups. Ted Ginn is a free agent after this season. He has been one of the more consistent return men during his two years with the 49ers, but I'm curious if that is enough to bring him back for a third year. The return game is huge, but if a team is comfortable with its blockers, maybe they figure the "system" is something to build around moving forward.
49ers
Out
TE Delanie Walker (jaw)
Questionable
CB Chris Culliver (shoulder)
WR Ted Ginn (ankle)
FB Bruce Miller (knee)
CB Carlos Rogers (knee)
WR Kyle Williams (concussion)
LB Patrick Willis (hamstring)
Rams
Doubtful
QB Sam Bradford (ankle)
QB A.J. Feeley (right thumb)
Questionable
DE Chris Long (ankle)
Probable
CB Josh Gordy (abdomen)
RB Jerious Norwood (illness)
LB Brady Poppinga (illness)