49ers DT Ray McDonald will play Sunday, Alex Boone active, Anthony Davis out

San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh met with the media and confirmed the status of several players for Sunday's opener against the Dallas Cowboys. He said that Ray McDonald will play, Alex Boone will be active, and Anthony Davis will not play due to a hamstring injury.

McDonald has been practicing all week long, but his status was considered up in the air to some extent. The Santa Clara DA said charges would not be filed today, and there have been no other public developments following his arrest on suspicion of domestic violence. He was late to practice on Wednesday and Thursday, which was a little odd. It could have meant nothing, but considering his off-the-field issues, it raised some eyebrows. Things could change between now and Sunday, I suppose, but it seems like he will be set to go.

Coach Harbaugh said Alex Boone will be active for Sunday, which means the team will have to release somebody. They have until Saturday evening to make that decision, so we will keep an eye out for that. If they release a vested veteran (4+ accrued seasons), the player becomes an immediate free agent. If they release a player with less than four accrued seasons, he must go through the waivers process, which opens him to claim by any of the other 31 teams.

Boone's status is not a surprise in particular given Anthony Davis's now confirmed status. The 49ers offensive line depth will be tested, as we figure out who will play where. Boone can play either right guard or right tackle. Jonathan Martin seems slated to start, but Bay Area Sports Guy brought up an interesting point. The 49ers moved Boone to left tackle when Joe Staley was hurt, and inserted Joe Looney at right guard. Maybe we see Boone at right tackle, and Looney at right guard. It will seemingly all come down to how comfortable they are with Jonathan Martin.