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The San Francisco 49ers will be without a starter on defense against the Chicago Bears at Levi’s Stadium. Coach Kyle Shanahan announced Friday that not only will Jaquiski Tartt miss Sunday’s matchup, but the 49ers’ starting safety will land on injured reserve, ending his season early for the second consecutive year.
Tartt’s injured shoulder has sidelined the 49ers’ starting strong safety for three consecutive weeks. He’ll miss the final two games of the 49ers’ season, bring his total to eight games in 2018. Tartt also missed seven games in 2017 after a broken forearm landed him on injured reserve after Week 9.
Marcell Harris is poised to make his third start of the season in place of Tartt. The 49ers’ rookie safety, after a rough Week 13 debut in Seattle, has steadily improved in the 49ers’ back-to-back wins over the Broncos and Seahawks. Harris has totaled 18 tackles and three tackles for loss in his three starts.
The 49ers got a clean bill of health from a handful of players who were listed on last week’s injury report. Running back Matt Breida, receiver Marquise Goodwin, defensive end Cassius Marsh, linebacker Mark Nzeocha, receiver Dante Pettis and cornerback K’Waun Williams, all questionable last week against the Seahawks, have been removed the 49ers’ injury report. They were all limited or DNPs at different points this week, so we’ll want to keep an eye out for all of them on Sunday.
Williams was inactive the past two weeks with a knee injury but makes his return this week against the Bears. Rookie defensive back D.J. Reed has filled in admirably for Williams, prompting decisions for Shanahan and the 49ers’ coaching staff on who gets the starting nod at nickel cornerback.
Shanahan was asked on Friday if Williams being back meant Reed moves to free safety, and he left the door open. “It gives us an option to. Both of them can play nickel, and DJ can play safety, so we’ll see on Sunday which lineup we go with.”
49ers final injury report
Out: S Jaquiski Tartt (shoulder)