The San Francisco 49ers released their second practice participation report of Week 13, and they had a notable change. Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon was listed as a DNP due to an ankle injury. Witherspoon was not on Wednesday’s injury report, so this suggests a new development.
Cam Inman tweeted that the injury did not appear to be serious, but we’ll still want to see what Witherspoon does on Friday. Dontae Johnson starts on one side, and the 49ers reserves are Leon Hall and Greg Mabin. K’Waun Williams is exclusively a nickel back, but I imagine he could move around if the 49ers were short-handed. I would also expect a Saturday. If Witherspoon was viewed on Saturday as a likely DNP, the team could promote Channing Stribling from the practice squad.
The other notable news was that C.J. Beathard was upgraded from DNP to limited. If he gets in a limited session on Friday, he will likely be active on Sunday and serving as Jimmy Garoppolo’s backup. If there is a setback, Nick Mullens would be promoted from the practice squad.
Friday practice participation report
DNP: DT Earl Mitchell (not injury related – Vet Day), CB Ahkello Witherspoon (ankle)
Limited: QB C.J. Beathard (knee, hip), T Trenton Brown (shoulder), S Adrian Colbert (thumb), TE George Kittle (ankle)
Full: DE Elvis Dumervil (not injury related), S Eric Reid (knee), T Joe Staley (not injury related), DE Solomon Thomas (knee)