The San Francisco 49ers could be short-handed in the secondary when they welcome the Los Angeles Rams to town this Sunday. Cornerback Jimmie Ward suffered a hamstring injury on Monday against the Green Bay Packers, and he sat out Thursday’s practice. He also “sat out” Wednesday’s practice, but it was a walkthrough, so the practice report was an estimation based on if they had conducted a full practice.
With only two full practices this week, Friday’s practice will be huge for Ward’s availability. He had some bumps on Monday, but was showing some promise opposite Richard Sherman. Ward was replaced by Greg Mabin, who Aaron Rodgers torched in the fourth quarter.
Wide receiver Dante Pettis was also listed as a DNP on Thursday. He was listed as limited on Wednesday, but again, it was an estimation. It seems highly unlikely Pettis plays this week against the Rams.
The good news is that all the other Wednesday DNPs were able to practice on Thursday. Most notably, Ahkello Witherspoon is in the concussion protocol but got through a limited workout in a non-contact jersey. If he gets another limited workout in Friday and does not have concussion symptoms on Sunday, he will likely be active against the Rams. With Ward out, it will be interesting to see if Greg Mabin gets the start, or if Witherspoon gets another shot back in the starting lineup.
Here’s the 49ers full Thursday practice participation report for Week 7.
DNP: WR Dante Pettis (knee), CB Jimmie Ward (hamstring)
Limited: RB Matt Breida (shoulder, ankle), WR Pierre Garçon (shoulder, knee), TE George Kittle (knee), G Mike Person (knee), C Weston Richburg (knee), CB Richard Sherman (calf), T Joe Staley (knee), WR Trent Taylor (back), CB K’Waun Williams (shoulder), CB Ahkello Witherspoon (concussion)
Full: LB Reuben Foster (shoulder), G Joshua Garnett (toe), WR Marquise Goodwin (hamstring, quadricep), S Jaquiski Tartt (shoulder)